Zelda review: ‘Echoes of Wisdom’ is a worthwhile remix, not a revolution

Hyperlink’s obtained 20 hearts and a full arsenal — I steer him by way of the dungeon and tear into Ganon. Minutes into the newest Legend of Zelda recreation, I’m already slashing by way of to the traditional conclusion I’ve performed extra occasions than I might rely.

However this time, after beating the acquainted archenemy, a purple rift begins to swallow Hyperlink complete. He fires his bow as he sinks, the arrow cracking the crystal trapping Zelda. Inside seconds, he’s subsumed completely, however the digicam doesn’t go along with him — it lingers. Experimentally, I faucet a button. Zelda bashes her crystal jail, breaking it additional. I faucet time and again till she’s freed herself. Hyperlink — the hero of the collection for almost 40 years — has left the image. Zelda’s destiny is in her fingers and mine.

Variations on a theme

It’s a bravura opening for Nintendo’s most shocking title in years — the primary in the primary Zelda collection to star the titular princess. Whereas the sport’s at its most tantalizing earlier than the plot slides right into a well-worn groove, it’s nonetheless a triumph of iterative, experimental design.

Zelda herself is one thing of a clean slate — a beloved royal on the run after imposters take over her kingdom. Along with the mysterious Tri (the newest in a protracted line of fun-sized companions), you’ll copy enemies and monsters to beat devious puzzles and enemies.

The place Tears of the Kingdom permits you to assemble stupendous equipment, Echoes of Knowledge provides you a stunning menagerie to let unfastened. I’ve fought Moblins, Keese, and Darknuts for many years — by no means earlier than have I collected them like Pokémon to battle on my behalf. See an ice enemy? Summon a hearth critter to soften it. A homicide of crows? Strive a Peahat — a helicopter-plant with razor-sharp thorns. Regardless of the sport’s cozy vibes, it’ll make you are feeling like a discipline commander who can immediately summon troops.

Equally, puzzles don’t demand one answer. That far-off chest? Magically bind your self to a flying monster to achieve it. Or conjure trampolines to bounce to it. Or maybe use the dependable methodology of stacking mattresses to type a makeshift bridge (almost each time I did so I squawked “Time for mattress!” — as a result of, sure, I’m unbearable).

The sport doles out these distinctive “echoes” proper till the tip — so many who they shortly turn into tedious to scroll by way of — however I got here to depend on a mere handful. I by no means stopped experimenting, however I’d incessantly fall into acquainted habits. So, too, does the broader recreation.

The Legend of Hyperlink

Tears of the Kingdom scored emotional heights by specializing in Zelda and Hyperlink’s shared historical past. In distinction, these new variations of the characters don’t know one another in any respect. At first this works to the sport’s profit. Zelda’s unburdened from expectation and free to discover — from the brackish waters contested by the Sea and River Zora to the deserts the exclusively-female Gerudo name house (which Zelda, blessedly, doesn’t must sneak into, as Hyperlink normally should!).

But the sport regularly reveals its dedication to precedent. You’ll purchase Hyperlink’s sword, bow, and bombs, which you have to spend a restricted power meter to make use of. I’d all the time summon my favourite allies to assist in fights — however this “Swordfighter” mode more and more grew to become my most well-liked fight tactic.

That’s partially as a result of I might simply provide energy-boosting drinks. Somewhat than allow you to pluck apples from timber or wheat from fields, Echoes of Knowledge shares cooking substances in outlets and chests you’ll discover scattered all through the world, which you’ll whip into nutritious smoothies for a small price.

These mechanics echo previous titles, however Hyperlink haunts the sport most of all. Zelda has to avoid wasting him to satisfy their mutually destined roles, which fall alongside predictably gendered strains. I might settle for Hyperlink as an equal companion in Hyrule’s salvation if the sport gave me extra causes to care about him. As an alternative, he stays a lore-mandated presence and a stranger to Zelda, who spent your complete recreation proving that she actually can have all of it. The place the opening minutes felt like Hyperlink passing the baton, the final felt like him refusing to let go.

Nonetheless, Echoes of Knowledge stands as a quietly revisionist work regardless of this dissonance. Whereas the sport’s experiments aren’t fairly as profitable as Tears of Kingdom’s, Zelda has confirmed to be able to shouldering the collection that bears her title. As Nintendo plans a new gaming console, I can solely hope it has the knowledge to construct on this promising new Legend.

Copyright 2024 NPR