New “The Legend of Zelda” games are a rare occurrence, so it was shocking when Nintendo announced that a new one would be released only about a year after the series’ last release. The video game, “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” released on September 26, 2024 for the Nintendo Switch. It stands out from other “Zelda” games by incorporating traditional elements of the series with new ones.
One of the most unique aspects of the game is that the character Zelda takes the role as the protagonist instead of the traditional hero Link. “Echoes of Wisdom” uses this as an opportunity to create a unique gameplay style. The game allows players to make copies of objects and enemies known as Echoes. This is used almost constantly to solve puzzles and defeat foes. Despite its sometimes clunky menus, the system does not take long to learn and get used to. In fact, it quickly changes the player’s way of thinking to be constantly wondering how they can use Echoes to interact with their environment.
In addition to these features, it is made clear that the game will offer a more standard “Zelda” experience. The game opens with a mini-dungeon that shows off just how traditional the dungeons will be, even though they incorporate the puzzle solving of Echoes. Zelda can also gain the ability to wield a sword for a limited period of time. In addition, the world is populated with classic objects and places such as signs and wells, which invoke the feel of the older games.
It is important to note the game’s worst flaw: performance. At some times, the game can lose frames and graphical quality. While this does not ruin the experience, it can be annoying to those coming to the game from more powerful systems.
Being innovative while adhering to old values is something that is very hard to pull off, yet “Echoes of Wisdom” manages to do it successfully. The puzzle solving of Echoes, the dungeons, and the game’s art style work together to create a fun and wholesome experience that follows the series’ traditional formula. The one thing holding the game back from being even better is its frame rate, though this is only an annoyance. “Echoes of Wisdom” is one of the best games of 2024 and an example to others of what it means to be a great game.