The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a truly wonderful time that reminds us of why 2D Zelda games still matter, combining classic dungeon-crawling and item progression with the freedom brought forth by the series’ recent entries.
The unfortunate reality of the Zelda community, however, is that many continue to question Nintendo’s decision to go for a top-down, 2D game design with a toy-like aesthetic, considering these elements to be a step backward in the wake of the company’s other massive 3D open-world titles. But as Eiji Aonuma himself would tell you, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
For the longest of times, people have waited for Princess Zelda to step into the limelight properly and be a main protagonist in a mainline title.
While spin-offs like Cadence of Hyrule and the Hyrule Warriors series did give us a glimpse of what it could be like, it is only now, for the very first time, that she takes center stage in a fully-fledged Zelda game developed by Nintendo.
Oh, and a special shoutout to the CD-i titles: Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon and Zelda’s Adventure. Then again, perhaps it’s best to forget about those “video games,” as the community considers their very existence blasphemous—the first rule of Fight Club, but for Zelda titles.
Circling back to our Princess’ first mainline adventure, though, it’s essential to understand that this game is anything but a spinoff. Not only that, but this joyful experience stands tall as one of the best titles in the series, providing excellent level design, finely crafted bosses, and a cutesy but heartwarming and unique plot.
Eiji Aonuma, the game’s Producer, agrees, too. In Nintendo’s Ask the Developer Vol. 13, he revealed that he had long wanted to develop a separate 2D Legend of Zelda series.
Actually, I’ve always wanted to establish a 2D top-down Legend of Zelda series that’s separate from the 3D entries like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The game style and how it feels are completely different when the world is viewed in 3D from behind the character to when the world is viewed from a top-down perspective. We wanted to cherish that kind of diversity in the Legend of Zelda series.
It’s a curious comment from the man who has overlooked the development of Zelda games since Ocarina of Time. It makes complete sense, too, given how the top-down design is integral to the franchise’s identity, especially with how the series has moved into three dimensions, starting with Ocarina all the way to Tears of the Kingdom today.
What truly makes this game shine, though, beyond finally playing as Princess Zelda, is how well it builds on the legacy of 2D Zelda titles. The game blends the best elements of the franchise’s classic elements with the weapon of creativity introduced in Tears of the Kingdom.
From summoning echoes to solve puzzles to clever, multi-layered dungeon design, the gameplay reminds us why these top-down games are still so important.
Mechanically and aesthetically, it also feels very reminiscent of Link’s Awakening while offering its own innovations, such as the creative use of echoes to manipulate the environment along with overcoming different enemies and bosses.
This layered approach brings back the excitement of discovering new ways to navigate the world. The result? A game that feels modern yet classic, balancing Zelda’s combat and puzzle-solving roots with fresh ideas. If you had reservations about the game before, take our word and give it a shot; you’ll be in for a nostalgic and joyful time.
But with all that said, if you have played the game already, what are your thoughts on Echoes of Wisdom so far? Are you enjoying your time playing as Princess Zelda for the first time? Let us know in the comments below!
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