I was familiar with The Legend of Zelda before Breath of the Wild got me truly invested in the franchise. Across the Switch years, I’ve been playing several other games of the franchise until now. Being excited when Echoes of Wisdom was announced. I loved what I was seeing with it. Playing as Zelda for the first time in series, with the freedom that the series has been incorporating since A Link Between Worlds.
To make Zelda different in playstyle to Link, she has the power to create echoes. Replicas of objects found in the world. Beds, pots, tables, even enemies. It brings a very different dynamic to exploring and combat than when playing as Link. And speaking of the dynamic change, it is Zelda who needs to rescue Link across this adventure fixing the rifts that have opened across Hyrule.
Of course, Link and his moveset still plays a part with Echoes of Wisdom. The opening had me playing as Link, complete with sword and shield, bow and bombs. This opening section sees Link heading through a ruin, and battling Ganon. Though Ganon is defeated, a rift opens right underneath Link. With a singular arrow, Link cracks the gem holding Zelda before disappearing.
Zelda manages to crack the gem wide open, and just in time, too. Grabbing the cloak that Link was wearing and running out of the ruin as the rift expands is a nice tense sequence, along with everything that happens at Hyrule Castle. The place where echoes are introduced. With yet another escape complete, Zelda now finds herself with a mission. Fix the rifts alongside Tri, the spirit who has given her the power of echo creation.
Echoes of Wisdom provides a great overworld to be exploring, even if until the first rift is fixed there’s not much of it I could. When heading inside a rift, I’m inside what is known as a Still World. A place that has been distorted and frozen in time. The corruption that has created these rifts infect the monsters, so they’re still dangerous. I love how these still worlds look, with a skybox of purple and parts of the world broken into small floating islands.
The rifts have within them important buildings that act as the dungeons. These are the familiar dungeons the series is known for rather than the singular puzzle shrines found in Breath of the Wild. Multiple puzzles and combat rooms to work through to find the small silver keys to progress and the giant boss key to enter that final room. Upon defeating a boss, a heart container is awarded.
These bosses have specific patterns and specific weaknesses to look out for. Even the non-end dungeon bosses. One of those bosses is an imposter Link, who uses the weapons of the real Link. Upon defeating this imposter for the first time, the sword is dropped. Don’t think for a second the monster echoes are no longer important, however. The abilities of Link are limited time, running down an energy gauge that can only be refilled with blue chunks floating in still worlds. Or finding might crystals.
With the world now opened up, I could freely be exploring. Enjoy the land and all it contains. Partial heart containers, a wide variety of monsters, towns, smoothie shops, stamps. The overworld is full of new things to discover in a tightly designed landscape. It might be large, but there never feels a large trek to find anything interesting. And each area, such as the Gerudo desert or Faron wetlands, are unique in their looks and who inhabits them. Even the monsters.
The world building and story in Echoes of Wisdom are done well. Whether that be the main quests, the side quests, or even random citizens who have something of note to say about a heart-shaped pool. I want to see all there is to see about this version of Hyrule, and finally discover who is behind the rifts. The story keeps building to that eventual reveal, which I’m sure will pay off well.
Overall, Echoes of Wisdom is a great experience. A lovely gameplay loop enhanced by some great music across both exploring and story. The list of echoes might be long, and using the quick menu to select one not all that quick, but I can still say that Echoes of Wisdom is an easy recommendation. Fitting right at home as another excellent Legend of Zelda experience.
Images Taken From:
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom | Nintendo Switch [Handheld]
