I was able to play The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom for 90 minutes and loved every second of it. This is the perfect marriage between the classic Zelda formula and the freedom and creativity of Breath of the Wild. The best part? You play as Zelda! Time to jump in.
Break out of prison
My demo kicked off with Zelda stuck in prison with no way out, although that’s what it first looks like. Enter Tri, an ethereal fairy-like companion, who gifts Zelda the Tri Rod, a tool that feels like a game-changer right out of the gate. As you might have seen in trailers already, the Tri Rod is crucial for gameplay as it enables you to create the titular “echoes,” essentially copies of objects and enemies you encounter, which you can use to solve puzzles or get out of tight spots. Imagine stacking echoes of old prison beds to reach a higher ledge or using stones to block a guard’s path. The prison sequence alone is a perfect example of creative problem-solving, teasing a level of depth and player freedom that feels familiar yet extremely innovative at the same time. It’s a new way of playing a Zelda game so during the first minutes I really had to adapt to the new mechanics and possibilities. Since I couldn’t just fight the guards off, I had to be more sneaky to get my way out of the prison.
Once out in the open world, the game really shows its colors and the true potential shines bright. I learned that the game features a new version of Hyrule and although I couldn’t see much of it, I was truly blown away by the creativity and endless possibilities this game holds. Playing as Princess Zelda for the first time is way more than just a gimmick, it alters the gameplay tremendously. Since she holds the Triforce of wisdom, you have to use your wits to reach new parts of Hyrule. It all revolves around the echoes of course but it’s crazy how many different possibilities this unlocks for the gameplay. I found myself using echoes of trampolines, pots, and even enemies like Bokoblins to navigate the world in completely organic ways. The echoes aren’t just a gimmick, they’re a fundamental part of the gameplay, encouraging you to think outside the box at every turn. For instance, I stacked a series of echoes to build a makeshift bridge over a chasm, and in another, I summoned a group of Ropes (snakes) to fight off their kin. The possibilities here seem endless, and I can already tell that no two players will play this game in exactly the same way. This is the creative formula found in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom but applied to a more traditional Zelda experience.
Traditional dungeons, done differently
For those craving that nostalgic Zelda dungeon experience, like me Echoes of Wisdom doesn’t disappoint. The Still World dungeon I explored during the demo was a nostalgic trip to the classic Zelda formula, complete with small keys, big keys, and dungeon maps. But this time, the echoes mechanic adds a new layer of strategy, shaking up the traditional gameplay. Imagine facing off against a mini-boss and using echoes of previously defeated enemies to fight on your behalf, or even better, summoning a massive stone block to pick up and crash down on your foes from above. I love how the wisdom part of the TriForce shines bright while exploring dungeons as Princess Zelda. The solutions to the puzzles are a lot different than when Link was facing complex dungeons and I’m totally here for it. It’s insane how many options there are to solve a puzzle and not one gamer will use the exact same solution as you. During my short time with the game, I had gathered an impressive amount of echoes already that I easily used to solve my problems.
Besides the echoes, there’s also Bind, which allows Zelda to bind herself to an object. When she moves around, the object attached to her will do the same. Binding has that same green glow as your powers in Tears of the Kingdom and offers a nice mix of old and new gameplay. If you press the shoulder buttons while binding to an object, Zelda will follow the movements of that object, perfect to cross bigger gaps when there’s a platform going back and forth above you for example. What I also like about this first dungeon is the throwback to true 2D gameplay that can best be described as a great evolution of The Legend of Zelda II. These classic 2D sections play more like a puzzle platformer than the more open Zelda games and really offer even more variation and gameplay possibilities. Using the echoes of some spiders I could easily puzzle my way through these segments but I just adore the fact that this game keeps pushing you to think outside of the box.
Link who? Enter Zelda, the swordfighter
Although the game focuses on Princess Zelda and her new abilities, some veteran players might miss Link and his traditional sword gameplay. Well, fear not, the game also introduces Zelda’s new swordfighter form, which gives you a brief but thrilling taste of traditional swordplay. I won’t go into spoiler territory about how you get access to the swordfighter form as it was without a doubt my favorite part of the demo but once you unlock it, you can call in the help of what can best be described as Link’s spirit. If you fill up your special meter, you can transform into the swordfighter form which will allow you to wield a sword with the fluidity and precision we’ve come to associate with Link. It’s a satisfying nod to the series’ roots, but the form doesn’t last long, at least in my brief first moments in the game. Still, it’s enough to scratch that itch for fans who might miss the more combat-focused gameplay while keeping the focus firmly on Zelda’s unique abilities and intellect. The swordfighter form in combination with the echoes made up for one of the most memorable boss fights in the franchise. Since the dungeons no longer give you a special object to take down the bosses, you’ll need to combine your echoes, binding powers, and swordfighter form if you want to make it out alive. Running low on hearts during a fight? Smash some pots to discover extra health the traditional way or… Echoe a bed and rest a couple of seconds to regain some health. That’s how great combat and exploration go hand in hand in this entry.
Early conclusion
Honestly, I’m super excited about what The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has in store. The game strikes a perfect balance between the old and the new, offering the nostalgia of traditional Zelda dungeons while pushing the series forward with innovative gameplay mechanics. Zelda is finally stepping into the spotlight, and she’s doing it in style. If the full game builds on the creativity and freedom teased in my first minutes, we might be looking at one of the best entries in the franchise yet.
