Daily Debate: How Does Echoes of Wisdom Gameplay Compare to Other Zelda Games?

Posted on September 29 2024 by Judy Cooper

Spoiler Warning: The comments on this article may contain spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.

Echoes of Wisdom just released and hopefully everybody has had the opportunity to sink their teeth into some gameplay. Those who’ve gotten just part of the way into the game will notice there are certainly some differences in how one might approach battle, and would likely concede that this title feels at least a little strange when compared to the type of Zelda game that we’re used to.

As I play the game, I can’t help but reach for my sword, except it just isn’t there. As a long-time Zelda fan, swinging my sword at enemies is the most natural action and I just feel as though I’m missing out on something. Of course, there’s Zelda’s Swordfighter ability but since I’m early on, my use of this is limited. I’m unsure just how much I’ll be able to rely on this ability as I progress in-game but it sure would be nice to just hack and slash as needed.

My feelings on the use of a sword in Echoes of Wisdom definitely don’t mean I think the game isn’t great. I do think the Echoes are pretty innovative, and it’s interesting to utilize them to achieve my goals (which at this point are simply to get from Point A to Point B. Do I wish I had a bow handy to shoot at some enemies? Sure. Is it fun to send a feathery Echo at some Keese instead? Absolutely, albeit it’s slower to bring those guys down.

Until now, I have only completed one dungeon in Echoes of Wisdom, so my thoughts may change in the near future. But for now, I’d say this title feels strange but fun, and although I do miss traditional battle tactics, I’m keeping my mind open for what’s to come.

What about you? How does Echoes of Wisdom‘s gameplay compare to other Zelda games, in your opinion? Do you like the new approach to battle, or are you missing the tried and tested method of the sword? Let us know in the comments below!