Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – A Great Game, But a Weak Farewell to the Switch?
Echoes of Wisdom: A Classic Zelda Experience, but a Disappointing Switch Sendoff?
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is amazing! It totally revitalized classic Zelda gameplay, adding awesome new twists. Critics loved it, and long-time Zelda fans got exactly the dungeon crawling adventure that many had been waiting for; creating this immensely satisfying experience.
But while this is easily one of the best games of this console, that might not change some other disappointing aspects concerning its overall release, its timing and position on the Nintendo Switch’s entire timeline! This isn’t exactly a perfect swan song. There’s so much to love here, but we'll explore that major let-down: this game really could’ve been much better, for many more reasons! This doesn’t affect its game quality! Instead this article focuses on those overall issues.
A Whimper, Not a Bang: Why Echoes of Wisdom Feels Like a Step Back
Remember the Nintendo Switch's launch? Breath of the Wild? That game redefined open-world games forever; that amazing title’s impact has only become stronger as this genre evolves! Then there was Splatoon 2, Xenoblade Chronicles 2—those were phenomenal. The Switch became this crazy amazing powerhouse; great ports, indie darlings and this incredible progression from Breath of the Wild to Tears of the Kingdom. And then this happens!
Echoes of Wisdom is great—no doubt. But compared to those early Switch blockbusters? This release feels like a step backward! It's amazing that the game delivers on several aspects fans really appreciate; such as dungeons! Yet, it’s a much more pared-back title that ultimately felt like taking a few steps back, especially compared to some other competitor releases.
This was emphasized because competitor consoles showed major advancement and huge success in other game categories which some audiences considered the primary strengths for certain consoles: Those end-of-console releases showed some really exciting last-hurrah releases with Ghost of Tsushima, The Last of Us Part II, Dreams for PlayStation 4. They were huge; emphasizing all that made this older hardware platform successful! It demonstrated incredible innovation and pushing those boundaries towards creating newer technologies.
Note however, this game isn’t the final release! We still get Mario & Luigi: Brothership, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A . Yet, some of these entries felt less impactful as other entries on this platform. Even newer ones, Super Mario Party Jamboree (the third Mario Party game) and the remastered Donkey Kong Country Returns HD . This could feel strange as they didn’t entirely showcase just what could be expected on this hardware! We needed something much stronger.
Nintendo's Choice: Going Back to Basics - A Risky Move
This feels incredibly weird. That incredible and phenomenal launch that redefined gameplay expectations got some underwhelming titles that emphasized only nostalgia. Nintendo could have easily delivered a massive game to showcase what it can do – the tiny Switch was incredibly impressive when delivering larger experiences like those provided in Breath of the Wild – something way bigger; and far more appropriate and in style for a phenomenal send-off for the console.
There were some excellent Switch titles, but the idea of those titles that should mark the end; that closing act of such an amazingly influential console were made entirely out of old IP, made simpler to demonstrate those kinds of changes needed that make these kinds of smaller releases even better for that smaller audience; but it just doesn’t sound nearly as exciting as what could otherwise be possibly achieved.
This doesn’t mean Echoes of Wisdom isn’t a great title; it doesn’t imply it isn’t worthy! Nor does this disregard some other amazing Nintendo titles; or some upcoming Switch titles that might end this period in even more exciting and better ways. The sheer scale for that console is rather noteworthy, including Metroid Prime 4.
Echoes of Wisdom: A Traditional Zelda Experience and a Modern Innovation
Echoes of Wisdom isn't likely going to overshadow Breath of the Wild's incredible impact on gaming. Yet it’s totally still awesome! The core game still has those innovative elements still totally recognizable for Zelda fans, especially those fans not crazy about the more recent open world versions.
This is somewhat bittersweet: Echoes of Wisdom is deserving of praise—it should have a more impressive position than it currently has—but this release doesn’t quite convey just how much progress had been made before this title and really makes people wonder how great could've Breath of the Wild have actually become.
This release is notable however as a Zelda-centered adventure: Princess Zelda’s moment is made amazing; and its significance remains something new. Those feelings, coupled with those other nostalgic titles should become a nostalgic end; an effective closing chapter for some newer generations; but makes others wonder just what kind of expectations and game quality might exist in that Switch 2 as its own start.
Conclusion: A Farewell Fit for a Gaming Legend?
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is wonderful, don't get me wrong. It's an incredibly creative game. And a nostalgic return for those Zelda fans looking for that classic dungeon-crawling experience. It doesn't need a better critical evaluation to make this valid point. Yet that feeling and position make its release a rather underwhelming closer for the Nintendo Switch. The end could have been much stronger and this title lacks the impact needed and fails to deliver that memorable punch appropriate for such a genre-defining hardware; making a situation where many believe this to be underwhelming as a farewell.
