As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of gaming experience under my belt, I must say that The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has piqued my interest like no other Zelda title has in years. The idea of playing as Princess Zelda and saving Link is not only refreshing but also a testament to the series’ innovative spirit.
For nearly four decades, traditional Legend of Zelda titles have had a typical formula. They often involve the heroic swordfighter Link saving the kingdom, saving a different kingdom, saving the entire world, saving himself, and you get the idea. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom takes the tried-and-true series formula and flips the typical equation on its head. Link now needs saving and his rescuer (and playable main character) will be Princess Zelda. However, this isn’t the only way that Echoes of Wisdom will look to enhance the traditional Zelda adventure.
In Echoes of Wisdom, the enigmatic realm called the Still World poses a danger to Hyrule. Cracks are emerging throughout the kingdom, drawing in anyone unlucky enough to be nearby. This includes Link, Zelda, and even their father, the King of Hyrule. Anything absorbed by the Still World eventually disappears entirely, so there’s not much time left before it’s too late
Beyond this danger, there seems to be something ominous orchestrating the Still World. Zelda witnessed her father being devoured by the rifts in the Still World, yet a duplicate of him continues to rule from the throne. To make matters worse, this counterfeit ruler has manipulated the land into believing that Zelda is responsible for the rifts, leading to her imprisonment in the Hyrule Castle dungeon. Despite this, Zelda believes that the truth behind these events can be found in Hyrule and within the Still World itself. To aid her on her journey is a mysterious companion named Tri, and it’s through Tri’s abilities that Echoes of Wisdom blends the classic Legend of Zelda structure with an element of strategy gameplay
In the game, Tri possesses the ability to replicate items and creatures using Zelda’s staff. However, the full extent of this power is yet to be determined as there are limitations involved. At the beginning of the game, Tri can utilize up to four units of power at once for each object, with every item assigned a unique triangle cost. For instance, duplicating simple objects like beds, rocks, pots, or small enemies will only require one triangle. More complex enemies, such as Spear Moblins, might need two triangles
In Echoes of Wisdom, several puzzles and platforming sections rely on the use of echoes. Old beds serve not just for resting but also for stacking, allowing Link to jump from one to reach higher ground (yes, there’s a Jump button, thanks to Breath of the Wild). Some switches are pressure-sensitive, requiring an old pot to be placed on top. Unfortunately, Link can’t engage enemies in direct combat at first; instead, he must defeat them by sending echoes of opponents or by throwing heavy objects at them. This last method can be particularly useful, as you’ll soon discover
As a gamer, I gotta say, what’s mind-blowing about the echo system in Breath of the Wild is how it ties into the game’s open-ended formula. I can tackle enemies, platforming challenges, and puzzles my way – there are no strict rules, just freedom to play. The end goal remains the same: complete each task effectively, however I see fit
Moving forward, let me tell you about a part of the game where Zelda steps across a chasm and enters the Tranquil Realm. This realm is home to the game’s dungeons, such as Suthorn Ruins, which are reminiscent of classic Zelda design with intricate mazes, enemies in every chamber, and riddles that hinder progress. During a private demo, I encountered one of the mini-bosses, who resembled Link. Since I was unarmed and Link swiftly sliced through the enemy duplicates, I acted like any brave adventurer would in this predicament
I threw a rock at him!
Using Link’s shield to deflect objects, I opted for a stealthy approach by slipping up behind him. I then generated rock echoes and continuously hurled rocks at him. Repeatedly, this duplicate Link was vanquished, yet the Nintendo representative and Greg Burke seemed almost appalled by my actions. It transpired that this wasn’t the planned strategy for this particular sequence. Although I didn’t triumph as intended, I learned a valuable lesson: combat and puzzle scenarios in games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom often have numerous solutions
In Echoes of Wisdom, additional features from various Switch Zelda games are at play. For instance, Zelda frequently discovers ingredients scattered globally, either from shattered pots, trimmed grass, or defeated foes. These ingredients can be combined to make stronger potions, introducing a flavor of Breath of the Wild’s culinary mechanics into the gameplay. Moreover, Zelda has the option to engage in side quests alongside her primary mission to save the kingdom, a feature reminiscent of Breath of the Wild but less common in traditional 2D Zelda games. Lastly, let’s not forget the jump button, which might take some older Zelda enthusiasts time to get accustomed to
The last thing to note is that by defeating the Link copy, Zelda unlocks Swordfighter Form. This allows her to fight just like Link and slash away at any foes in her way. The catch is that this runs on a meter and once that meter runs out, only energy found within the Still World can fill it back up. Managing the Swordfighter Form meter and knowing when to turn it on and off will be critical, especially when it comes to boss fights.
In my gaming experience, I encountered a formidable boss towards the end – a colossal stone giant known as Seismic Talus. It possessed a unique vulnerability that shifted along its upper body. The combat strategy here was open-ended, much like in Breath of the Wild, with various tactics available to players. You’ll find many such encounters in this game where the methods for defeating opponents can vary significantly from player to player
“The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” offers an enticing blend of old-school 2D series installments and modern “Breath of the Wild”-inspired experiences. The innovative methods to conquer its puzzles and battles are precisely what the Zelda franchise, with all its brilliance, requires to maintain its thrilling appeal. Soon, it’s time for Princess Zelda to embark on her journey to save her realm. “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” will be available on Nintendo Switch by Thursday, September 26
This preview is based on a private Nintendo Switch build from PAX West 2024 containing the public show floor demo and a separate section featured later in the game that was not seen on the convention floor. The final product is subject to change.
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2024-09-04 16:28