The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Nintendo Switch Game

From an Amazon delivery perspective, the game arrived fine. No issues. From a game review perspective:This was a unique entry into the Zelda franchise. It is akin to the style of Zelda games I like, feeling more like a handheld Gameboy style game rather than a larger Breath of the Wild style production.Graphics:The graphics are colorful and vibrant, but I personally don't care much for the toy-like look of everything. I always called these "Fisher-Price" graphics since everything looks like a toddler's toy. Not a huge deal and the cuteness works well with the game play style. I'd prefer something a bit more mature for future releases.Gameplay:The echoes are an interesting mechanic and the core of the gameplay. Basically you use the environment and enemies to fight against each other. Zelda I'm sure could wield a sword, but with the vast amount of echoes available, there is a lot more creativity than you'd think. There are a lot of echoes. Pretty much every enemy is one. There are a handful used to get around the map and reach higher places. There are unique ways to go about defeating enemies whether you want to brute force it or use a distraction. With the sheer amount, this does eventually pose some annoyances. After a while it gets so damn tedious to scroll through the list of echoes looking for the right one. Especially near the end when you have 120+, it slows down the gameplay a lot. Also (at least for my experience), the vast majority of the echoes are useless. Maybe 25% of them have real consistent usability. The rest are a novelty or might have one situation where it might be kind of useful. Otherwise, they just take up space (I'm looking at you, Sign echo). Same goes for the automatons from Dampe. I didn't use them at all during the game. I got them too late for them to really matter. Plus, they are optional. Not that these are negatives. It gives lots of options for different play styles.The smoothies are an interesting touch, but I hardly ever required the need to use one. The cold resistance was useful as you walk around Hebra Mountain and the sword energy ones. That's about it. Sure, you can make smoothies to replenish hearts, but the beds do that for free. They provide help like glow, wind-up speed, climbing speed, and dive time, but there are accessories that are way better suited to provide those traits. For example, the glow doesn't provide any more light than a fire Zol, so just carry around those. You will never run out of smoothie ingredients. Those are the majority of the rewards you will get in the game. I routinely had 40+ of each with a full smoothie stash. Each smoothie only requires two ingredients. I had a ton of ingredients I had no need for.The attachment mechanic from Tri that can move Zelda along with an object feels like a forced gimmick since it is only useful once you get it to demonstrate it or when they force you to use it. Not once did I use it while exploring the map to reach anywhere.One nice feature is your ability to wander around most of the map before you even get to the main story. You can walk up and around the outside the boundaries of the map. More echoes help with that later in the game. Getting places and solving puzzles is not always a single solution, so there is plenty of creativity involved.Difficulty:The game does have a separate difficulty mode than can be switched on at anytime to make it harder. I just played it on normal and it wasn't an overly difficult game. There are some situations where you can be overwhelmed if you don't plan an attack. Mostly the groups of enemies on the map guarding chests, especially for more powerful and aggressive enemies like the Lizalfos. Most enemies actually do a fair amount of damage in this game. Not just like half a heart. Most do like, 2 or more. But avoiding them isn't hard. I'd give the game an easy to moderate difficulty (say 4 out 10). It's beginner friendly.Controls:The game controls quite well. It is fairly simple and straight forward. Bringing up the menu for echoes and switching through them is quick, but searching through gets tedious after a while. Each button has its own purpose with very little overlap.Verdict:I don't care too much about Zelda games being canon, so I'm not sure if this fits in anywhere in the timeline. It was still a fun adventure and that is what mattered. Not a difficult game, but the fun for me lied in the exploration and clever use of the echoes to solve puzzles and get around. The game is about 15 to 20 hours in length, so you'll be satisfied. Overall, I give it a solid B.

**Amazon Review: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom**⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐This insightful game brings the magic of the Zelda universe to life in a fresh and captivating way. *The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom* masterfully blends nostalgia with innovation, offering a rich storyline, stunning visuals, and gameplay that feels both familiar and new.The puzzles are brilliantly designed, requiring creative thinking and rewarding perseverance. The open world is expansive and immersive, packed with secrets and treasures that keep you exploring for hours. The soundtrack is enchanting, perfectly complementing the game's emotional and adventurous tones.Whether you're a longtime Zelda fan or new to the series, *Echoes of Wisdom* is a must-play. It's a perfect example of why this franchise remains one of the most beloved in gaming history. Highly recommended!

Awesome Zelda game. It's got a fun chibi style design and it truly is a unique experience playing as Zelda instead of Link. I would say this is great for a younger audience or anyone who is a Zelda fan.

When I first saw this game announced I was worried. FINALLY a game where we can play Zelda, but it's in a cute little chibi style? Of course there are wonderful Zelda games in similar styles, but I was nervous we were going to get some kind of infantalizing childish garbage rather than a proper Zelda game for our first time with a female protagonist.If anyone has a similar worry, I am here to assure you that is NOT the case. This game is fantastic.I think the most similar game I can think of in the series is maybe Minish Cap, which is a little underappreciated in my opinion (likely due to the fiddly nature of some of the gameplay). The characters have about equivalent depth — that is, they aren't staggeringly deep but they are charming, engaging, and draw you into a deeper narrative. There are throw-backs to the series as a whole that leave you feeling acknowledged as a series fan rather than pandered to. The gameplay itself is fun and manages to make you think without overcomplicting things. I found myself fist pumping every now and then when solving a puzzle, or coming back to an area later on and realizing I'd stubbornly solved a problem that could've been much easier with a later Echo haha.I haven't been this happy playing a Zelda title in years. It feels like an old classic, to me. I can't recommend it enough.

Quality shopping experience.Quality products.

Arrived in a timely manner. Game works just fine, brand new, no googly eye nonsense. So far, it's an enjoyable game, super cute, but I got a BUNCH of games recently so it'll be a while before I beat it.

Game play was ok. Not my favorite Zelda game.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a game changer—literally. As a lifelong fan who’s been slinging swords since the original in 1987, I can confidently say this is the best 2D Zelda game in two decades. It’s the perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation, with a rich storyline, stunning visuals, and creative gameplay that keeps you guessing (and grinning) as you take down baddies in fresh, clever ways.And for the first time, you actually play as Zelda herself! Take that, Spirit Tracks—this is the real deal. I 100%-ed the game in about 30 hours, and every second was pure joy. Even the packaging was top-notch, ensuring my preorder arrived safe and sound.Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the series, this game is a must-play. It’s not just a love letter to Zelda fans—it’s a full-blown symphony. Bravo, Nintendo! 🎵🗡️✨