The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Review (Nintendo Switch)

It's Zelda's time to shine



By Paul Hunter

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is an exciting—and unexpected—new addition to Nintendo's beloved franchise. Developed by Grezzo, this game marks a significant moment in the series by allowing you to control Princess Zelda herself, giving you a whole new perspective. This is a first for the mainline series, as previous games have focused on Link who's usually out to save an imprisoned Zelda.

Echoes of Wisdom blends classic gameplay elements with modern design. It draws inspiration from the cherished titles of the past, such as The Minish Cap and A Link to the Past, however, it also incorporates ideas from recent hits like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, like being able to craft items to help solve puzzles. This combination creates a unique experience that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

As you explore the vibrant world of Hyrule, you will encounter mysterious rifts that threaten the kingdom. With Link missing, Zelda takes on the hero role, accompanied by a charming creature named Tri. This partnership adds a new layer to the gameplay, allowing for creative puzzle-solving and exploration.

Let's explore this new adventure to see how it celebrates Zelda's legacy while paving the way for the future.



The story of Echoes of Wisdom takes you on an exciting journey through Hyrule. In this game, Link has mysteriously vanished, leaving Zelda to face the challenges that arise, including mysterious rifts that threaten to consume everything in their path.

As you navigate this vibrant landscape, your charming companion Tri not only provides comic relief but also assists you with unique abilities. This partnership enhances the gameplay but even better is how the bond between Zelda and Tri brings a sense of camaraderie to the adventure.

Over the game's roughly 20-hour playtime, you'll encounter traditional dungeons, puzzles, and bosses, all while experiencing the game's rich narrative. The story is filled with intriguing lore and character development, particularly for our hero Zelda, making it a joy to uncover.

Without a doubt, the unique perspective of playing as Zelda adds a fresh twist to the narrative, and I certainly hope she has a starring role in more future titles. Having grown up with classics like A Link to the Past, I found myself immersed in this world that beautifully blends nostalgia with innovation.



Turning our attention to the gameplay in Echoes of Wisdom, its standout feature is the game’s puzzle-solving mechanic using echoes. There are dozens of objects within the game that Zelda can learn the 'copy' blueprint for and then can instantly craft them to help solve puzzles. Examples include a trampoline to bounce to higher platforms, beds that can stack to cross gaps, or breakable pots used to distract enemies. Perhaps even cooler is that Zelda can create echoes of enemies she defeats, calling them in as suppprt characters to do the fighting for her.

You can also use Tri’s abilities to manipulate the environment and solve intricate puzzles. The most common example is using Tri to move large objects, like adjusting a boulder's position so you can use it to cross gaps. Both the echo power and leveraging Tri's abilities add depth to the gameplay and encourage creative thinking.

The game features an open-world design that allows you to roam freely across Hyrule, although there are limitations as you sometimes need to learn new abilities or get rid of rifts to access areas. In traditional Zelda fashion, there are lots of hidden secrets to discover, often hiding valuables like heart containers or items used in crafting.

Overall, the performance of the game is mostly smooth sailing, however, there are occasional framerate issues when lots of enemies are on screen, causing minor slowdown. While these brief moments can disrupt the flow of gameplay, thankfully they're rare and don't detract from the total experience.



The presentation of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is quite breathtaking. The game features a stunning, vibrant visual style that draws inspiration from previous titles like Link’s Awakening. This "diorama" aesthetic creates a charming and immersive Hyrule world to explore, and it's great noticing the vibrant colours and intricate details in every environment. Each area feels alive with NPCs and enemies, making it a joy to wander through.

The character designs are equally impressive. Princess Zelda stands out with her elegant new cloak look and expressive animations. Tri, her adorable companion, adds a playful touch to the visuals.

The sound design in Echoes of Wisdom is another highlight. The game features a mix of original compositions and arrangements of classic Zelda themes. I often found myself humming along to the catchy tunes, which I quickly committed to memory as they're that entertaining.

The Verdict

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom will be most remembered as the first mainline entry that lets us step into the shoes of Princess Zelda, which is a significant shift from the traditional gameplay. But it also introduces plenty of new gameplay twists that fundamentally shake up the Zelda formula in fresh and exciting ways. All in all, Echoes of Wisdom is a game that invites you to explore, solve puzzles, and enjoy the magic of Hyrule once again—which is exactly what I was hoping for.

Final Score: 9/10 - Amazing


The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom details

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Action Adventure
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyhone 10+)


A key was provided by the publisher.