Is Zelda Echoes of Wisdom Worth Getting? Full Review

There’s something quietly thrilling about finally stepping into Hyrule as Princess Zelda instead of Link. For decades players have watched her from the sidelines, and now The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom hands her the Tri Rod and a whole new way to play — not a spin‑off or a side adventure but a full mainline game that turns the series’ puzzle‑and‑combat logic on its head.

Release date: September 26, 2024 ·
Developer: Nintendo, Grezzo ·
Main playable character: Princess Zelda ·
Game style: 2D top-down, open world ·
Average completion time (main story): 20-25 hours ·
Metacritic score: 86/100

Here is a summary of key specifications for Echoes of Wisdom.

Is Echoes of Wisdom worth getting?

The short answer: it depends on what you want from a Zelda game. The long answer involves weighing a handful of trade‑offs that make this entry unlike any other in the series. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons, how it compares to recent titles, and who should pick it up.

Who is this game for?

Longtime Zelda fans will appreciate the dungeon design and the nostalgia of a top‑down adventure, but they’ll need to adjust to the echo‑based combat. Newcomers might find the open‑ended logic refreshing, though the lack of a difficulty slider could frustrate less experienced players. Creative gamers who love experimenting with tools – think Tears of the Kingdom’s Fuse but in 2D – will feel right at home. For a different kind of puzzle challenge, check our Five Nights at Freddy’s guide. The implication: Echoes of Wisdom rewards curiosity more than combat reflexes.

Is Echoes of Wisdom a full Zelda game?

Yes – and that’s a bigger deal than it sounds. This is the first mainline entry where you play as Zelda from start to finish, not Link or any alternate character. Developed by Nintendo and Grezzo, it’s officially part of the franchise’s numbered canon, not a spin‑off or side title.

• Full campaign with a complete story, side quests, and exploration (Tom’s Guide)
• Includes classic elements like dungeons, pieces of heart, and a top‑down perspective (Tom’s Guide)
• Comparable scope to Link’s Awakening (2019) and A Link Between Worlds – not as massive as Breath of the Wild but still a substantive adventure

The trade-off: if you define “full game” by map size or hours alone, Echoes of Wisdom lands somewhere between the classic 2D entries and the open‑world giants. But its emphasis on creative puzzle solutions gives it a depth that numbers alone don’t capture.

How many hours is Zelda Echoes of Wisdom?

The main story takes roughly 20–25 hours if you stay on the critical path, according to early reviewers. Completionists who collect every echo, complete all side quests, and max out the Automaton workshops can expect 40–60 hours. Playtime varies depending on how much you experiment with the echo system – testing different combinations can eat up time in the best way.

• Main story: 20–25 hours (ScreenRant)
• Main + extras: 30–35 hours
• 100% completion: 40–60 hours

The pattern: Echoes of Wisdom respects your time. Unlike Tears of the Kingdom which can stretch into hundreds of hours, this is a tighter, more curated experience that still feels substantial.

How difficult is Echoes of Wisdom?

Moderate, but not in the way you’d expect. The difficulty comes less from enemy damage numbers and more from the game’s insistence that you use echoes creatively. Zelda has no sword – her only offense is summoning copies of objects and monsters. Combat is challenging because she’s fragile and echoes can accidentally hit her (Before You Buy). Enemies are also more aggressive than in past 2D Zeldas (Before You Buy).

• No difficulty settings – the game expects you to figure out your own solutions
• Puzzles are generally straightforward, but some require trial and error (Before You Buy)
• Boss fights and certain enemy gauntlets can be punishing if you haven’t collected the right echoes

The catch: this is probably not the hardest Zelda game (we’ll get to that below), but it might be the one that most punishes a “hack‑and‑slash” mindset. Creative players will find it easier than those who try to brute‑force encounters.

Is there LGBTQ in Zelda?

Echoes of Wisdom does not contain any explicit LGBTQ characters or romances. The series as a whole has avoided direct LGBTQ representation, though fans have long interpreted certain characters and relationships through that lens – for example, the Gerudo’s all‑female society or the bond between Link and certain companions. Nintendo has never officially confirmed any LGBTQ content in the Zelda franchise.

Some players hoped the shift to a female protagonist might open the door to more inclusive storytelling, but the game’s narrative doesn’t address sexuality or gender identity in any way. Community discussions on Reddit and forums continue to explore headcanon interpretations, but canonically there is nothing to point to.

What is considered the hardest Zelda game?

Ask any seasoned fan and you’ll hear one title more than any other: The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987). Its side‑scrolling combat, limited lives, and punishing difficulty have earned it a reputation as the hardest game in the series. Other contenders include Majora’s Mask (tight time limits), Skyward Sword on Hero Mode, and Oracle of Ages for its cryptic puzzles. Echoes of Wisdom sits firmly on the easier end of the spectrum thanks to its generous checkpoints and open‑ended puzzle design.

• Zelda II – widely considered hardest (Tom’s Guide)
• Majora’s Mask – time pressure and complex side quests
• Skyward Sword (Hero Mode) – enemy damage quadrupled
• Echoes of Wisdom – moderate difficulty, accessible

Why this matters: if you’re worried that Echoes of Wisdom might be too tough, relax. It’s designed to be welcoming, with difficulty stemming from creativity rather than memorization.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s still unclear

What critics are saying

“[Echoes of Wisdom] is a refreshing take on the Zelda formula.”

— IGN (9/10 review)

“A gorgeous, brilliantly clever game that feels genuinely innovative.”

— God is a Geek

“This is the first mainline game with Zelda as the main playable character.”

— Wikipedia

“It blends the open world and puzzle mechanics of BotW back into an actual Zelda game.”

— Reddit user

For a game that tries to be both a love letter to classic Zelda and a laboratory for new ideas, the consensus is remarkably positive. The trade-off: performance issues and a learning curve around the echo system keep it from being a universal recommendation, but the creativity on offer is hard to find elsewhere.

Frequently asked questions

For the player sitting on the fence, the verdict is straightforward: Echoes of Wisdom is a confident, creative new direction for the series that’s worth experiencing, especially if you can pick it up on sale. The performance hiccups are real, but the joy of solving puzzles with a bed, a crate, and a fire‑breathing lizard is something no other game this year can offer. For anyone who’s ever wanted to see Hyrule through Zelda’s eyes, the choice is clear: jump in and start echoing.