The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Review

[@stevenjohnson8736]

I’m playin this game right now on my switch oled let tell u this game is absolutely so freakin fun I’ve been playing it for over 3 hours already

[@linklink3069]

I personally disagree about the dungeons, I thought most are pretty good, and the bosses were really good imo. I especially love the SPOILER WARNING: Yeti guy in the Hebra dungeon.

[@Daktangle]

THE Jim Trinca!? It's been too long. As for Z:EoW, I love that Zelda's way of engaging with the world matches her being the holder of the Tri-force of Wisdom.

[@blazingphoenix1000]

I've had totk since release, and I'm only halfway done now I'm already getting another Zelda game as someone whose favorite video game series is this this is heaven 😍

[@kevinramirez3134]

The Legend of Zelda Echoes of Wisdom Review Scores: Siliconera- Perfect 10! Shacknews- Perfect 10! Player2- Grade A+, The Perfect Evolution of the Zelda Series! The Enemy BR- Perfect 5 Stars! Digitally Downloaded- Perfect 5 Stars! Dexerto- Perfect 5! Nintenderos- 9.7 out of 10 NintendoLife- 9 out of 10, Excellent! Hobby Consolas- 9.1 out of 10 IGN- 9 out of 10, Amazing! Press Start- 9.5 out of 10 MyNintendoNews- 9.5 out of 10 Eurogamer- 4 Stars out of 5 GameSpot- 9 out of 10 VG247- 4 Stars out of 5 Atomix- 95/100 GameOverGR- 9.5 out of 10 The Games Machine- 9.3 out of 10 God Is A Geek- 9 out of 10 Wccftech- 9 out of 10 IGN Spain- 9 out of 10 Checkpoint Gaming- 9 out of 10, Amazing! Stevivor- 9 out of 10, Awesome! WellPlayed- 9 out of 10 SECTOR- 9 out of 10 TrueGaming- 9 out of 10 GLITCHED- 9 out of 10 GamePro- 88/100 MeriStation- 9.2 out of 10, Excellent! GAMINGbible- 9 out of 10 A Royal Success! Screen Rant- 4.5 Stars out of 5 Nintenduo- 90/100 Power Unlimited- 90/100 Vooks- 4.5 Stars out of 5 GameSpot- 9 out of 10 Superb! ComicBook- 4.5 out of 5, An Adventure Worthy of Royalty! Nintendo Insider- 9 out of 10 Pocket Tactics- 9 out of 10 Vandal- 9 out of 10 Famitsu- 36/40 Areajugones- 8.7 out of 10 Remarkable! Daily Mirror- 4 Stars out of 5, Top Down Zelda Magic Reinvented For the Better!

[@collinsmcrae]

I have to say, this is not what I wanted to see for the next top down Zelda game. I was really hoping (counting on, even) that these games would be an osasis for the classic Zelda formula fans, and I am certainly a part of that club. I like BotW and TotK too, but that just doesn't quite scratch the aame itch for me. Even ALBW was sort of pushing the sandbox thing a smidge too much for my likeing, but I still loved that game for the most part. This seems to be an order of magnitude further in that direction In one sense I'm excited to play a new Zelda, bur in qnothwr sense my dreams have been dashes a bit by the direction they've decided to take this one in. But I will certainly be playing this one and I'm sure I'll enjoy it for what it is.

[@aaronworthing1023]

Y’all are pretending Zelda has never been the lead before. Are we ignoring the Phillips CDI games? 😜

[@nightcatarts]

Yes.

[@eurogamer]

Yes

[@Kadaspala]

What CDI games? Oh, you're talking about the Seedy Eye games starring Arzette.

[@aaronworthing1023]

@@eurogamer understandable

[@wtIUpITp1E0wMsydV19c0FUmIXvCU]

I prefer the CDI games to Botw. Fight me

[@neonswift]

Having options isnt a bad thing. If smoothies arent as useful when you have echoee im sure lots of people will do no heart runs and sibgle echo speedruns. but also i assume you difny okau iy on hard? I assume they become integral then. The review felt a little all over the olace to me. Like a rollercoaster of pros and cons but maybe weirdly contradictiry at times. at least it felt like that.

[@KatallinaVT]

Agreed. As someone who is contemplating buying this game because there are aspects that seem like they'll make things a bit more forgiving, I was a bit put off at someone wanting the base game to be harder when a hard mode is included. If there was only one mode, or if there was a more beginner mode and the middle mode was off I'd feel differently, but under the circumstances I was rather puzzled.

[@wtIUpITp1E0wMsydV19c0FUmIXvCU]

Nowadays when I read game review articles from different publications, it feels like a chainsaw going through my brain and I blame it on the quality of modern journalists, many of whom aren't even gamers. Personally, I just play what I want, play what I like and along the way, I find gleeful surprises in the games I play equivalent to finding a $1000 note lying on the floor

[@Tyr_Magnus]

EG like, "Phillips CD-i? Never heard of it."

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

Cognitive Dissonance in action. Since it wasn’t a good game, it won’t count for many that look at the world through certain eyes.

[@hakimalam7753]

They could have added a mana bullet as Zelda's Basic attack, relying on summons/echoes seems boring. And the Menu, why can't they just give the option to select your favorite, lol.

[@kevin_parkerson]

In regards to the combat: I wish they would've given Zelda some of her trademark moves to complement the echoes instead of the sword and shield mode. Being able to use Din's Fire to attack, Naryu's Love to shield, and Farore's Wind to dodge would've fit better with her character as she's essentially a mage. It even would've made more sense in combination with the blue "mana" bar restriction that the sword and shield mode requires (spells require magic / mana). Feels like Nintendo missed an opportunity to further give her a unique identity from Link, which is surprising since games such as Smash Brothers and Cadence of Hyrule have a playable Zelda with these abilities.

[@linklink3069]

Though I kinda agree with some of these points, I do think the echo mechanic is actively really good and fun, in my opinion. I feel like I have way more fun choosing which echo I'm gonna use for a certain situation than I would if I could just punch enemies

[@kevin_parkerson]

@@linklink3069 oh I 100% agree in regards to the echo mechanic, I think it'll be great and rightly should be the primary focus of gameplay. I can also see how certain situations might necessitate more direct player control of combat; it's just a shame Nintendo didn't lean into skills and abilities more fitting for Zelda vs the "temporarily become Link" approach they went with

[@bentoovey3589]

lovely review and enthusiastic narration, thanks Katharine and Jamie!

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

How about Home Ruler Helper and Defender

[@nightcatarts]

I'm curious as to why Zelda refuses to pick up a weapon, yet is happy to murder things in their hundreds by other means (including mind control).

[@whiteRiceSupremacist]

She doesn't want to get her hands dirty. It's natural for politicians.

[@nightcatarts]

@@whiteRiceSupremacist Hmm yes good point.

[@doolenny9458]

I think it’s just lacking ability We see her fight in her link form

[@ThaisAlvesHere]

She litery have a sword form

[@nightcatarts]

@@ThaisAlvesHere Extreme Link cosplay.

[@rainman42]

Its like you can play this over and over and play the game diff every time....that alone is awesome

[@zachfournier3727]

How are these the weakest dungeons in recent memory when the last game that had true dungeons was links awakening remake? The dungeons are solid

[@CliffordMHnow]

Thanks for the spoiler on how sword form evolves turned off after that didnt want any other surpriese its my own fault really can't trust reviewers to not spoil something

[@jamesL]

The section on dungeons makes me sad. Why does Nintendo hate the Zelda formula?

[@bradwig]

Agreed. I was really only interested in this game for some really good, old school Zelda dungeons. If they aren't reminiscent of the oracle games, link to the past etc then I might be skipping this game :/

[@isaacpomarleau9008]

Because the director of Zelda saw that breath of the wild sold well and is now convinced that every game needs to be like that now. He even said that the only reason people like old Zelda is because of “nostalgia”

[@linklink3069]

Idk, they are way more reminiscent of classic 2d zelda dungeons than botw or totk dungeons.

[@jamesL]

@@linklink3069 I don't want them to be "reminiscent," I want them to be good.

[@bradwig]

@@linklink3069 a step in the right direction is nice but I'm looking for more than that

[@SantoAtheos]

Thank you Jim

[@ghostrunner6815]

Isn’t this technically Zelda’s second game? Wasn’t she the protagonist of the CDI game?

[@Real1Gaming]

We don't talk about those 🤫

[@Adam-xd9tr]

Third, as she was the protagonist of two CDI games. Those weren't made by Nintendo though, and aren't really acknowledged at all when the company discusses the Zelda franchise. This is the first mainline title developed by Nintendo where Zelda is the protagonist.

[@dominicbennettmusic]

Great review

[@TheBrownLamb]

Gotta say the performance looks horrible and for a first party release I think it’s kinda unacceptable to be released in this manner

[@Big_Dai]

Bold? Creative?? Where!? 1. It squandered the opportunity of the leading character by NOT utilizing her properly! If anything, they felt embarrassed and made her turn into Link out of shame and insecurity. 2. It is a game that does NOTHING new or innovative. It is a game that could have been released back in the 90s during the SNES era. The awful UI, the combat as dull and limiting as it was when originally introduced (but it made sense back then). Now you also have to wait for your PKMN-like echoes play for you. EDIT: @11:34 Seriously!? Is Nintendo still given a pass in 2024 with drafts for games? Specially ones that cost $60 and feel like they should be $20 tops!?? Wow...

[@thommccarthy1139]

Thank you for actually criticizing the gameplay flaws, most reviewers are just nintendo simps and cannot ever see flaws. There also appear to be no performance evaluation features or any reasons to return to the game once you do the initial clear. 9/10 my ass.

[@marcoswors]

u're simply wrong about the dungeons... this is gold compared to the last 2 games

[@marcoswors]

I played some more and I admit, you where right... Dungeons aren't a puzzlebox in this game :/ just a big place with separate puzzles inside of it. Feels like every dungeon is the first of the game

[@NancyWalker-y3s]

Allen Lisa Davis Patricia Davis Sandra

[@whosaidthat84]

Gamespot gave it a 9

[@kevinwelchhhh]

So Eurogamer hates fun. Got it.

[@Taco_God]

I'm about 6 hours in and so far it isn't very fun. The puzzles are very easy, the combat is about 95% summoning someone else to fight while you just stand back. And, the menu to choose your echoes is absolutely horrible. You get about 300 of them and you have to scroll through all of them to find the one you want. Most of them are also useless or redundant. It's just a giant bloated mechanic.

[@kevinwelchhhh]

So Taco God also hates fun. Got it.

[@ens0246]

I thought that was evident if you spent any time on their website. They do love collecting cards though. Oh and also allowing their staff to abuse their readers in the comments section.

[@nightcatarts]

@@Taco_God Oh that's a shame, I was really hoping you could somehow exclude things from that Bayeux Tapestry sized scrolling menu to make it easier.

[@nightcatarts]

@@ens0246 The fuck are you on about? Don't be a dick & perhaps you won't get "abused."