Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was one of the many video game hits of 2024 and if it didn't already get enough recognition for pushing the top-down entries in the series to new heights, living legend Goichi 'Suda51' Suda has now stepped in to give it just a little more praise.
Speaking to GamesRadar recently, the creator of No More Heroes mentioned how Echoes of Wisdom was the game he played and "dug the most" in 2024 - noting how it felt closer to older entries and sort of revived the magic of the series for him.
Here's exactly what he had to say:
Suda51: "Not that this game needs a shout-out from me or anything, but the game I probably played and dug the most this year was The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. I doubt anyone needs me to recommend this title to them, but... Anyway, I felt it was significantly different from a lot of the other bigger Zelda titles, a bit more cartoonish and closer to the older games in the series, but once you get into it, it really hooks you in. I really loved the world it was set in and all the various details, and again, it just left me feeling like 'I got to experience Zelda all over again.'"
In other words, it was his game of the year! As for Suda51's plans in 2025, he told Famitsu in its end-of-year developer roundup to be on the lookout for a new game (via Gematsu). He's also previously mentioned how his studio Grasshopper Manufacture is very excited about the Switch successor.
Echoes of Wisdom also made our 'Game of the Year' staff awards here on Nintendo Life. If you haven't already played it and are a fan of the earlier entries (mixed with some modern touches), the latest Switch outing is well worth a look. Here's a quick sample from our review:
"Rather than abandoning the classic formula, Zelda has shown that the old and the new can come together and produce wonderful results that reward experimentation and reinforce the joy of play."
Did you enjoy Echoes of Wisdom as much as Suda51? Is it potentially even your game of 2024? Let us know in the comments.
[source gamesradar.com]
Comments 21
Yes, it felt more like a true Zelda compared to the latest attempts.
Great game and experiment… but I’m ready to have a more action oriented gameplay.
Happy new year everyone.
Strongly agree with what he said. My personal GotY as well.
Yep, it was pretty much a perfect experience for me. That and indy were my goty nominations..I think I'll give it to indy though, just barely.
@NintendoByNature I was very surprised to see PureXbox scored Indy 6/10. Out of 75 reviews, they're one of only 4 to score it below 75, with their 6 being the 2nd lowest. I haven't played it but from what I've watched, it certainly doesn't look like a 6/10 game.
@OorWullie that's a big miss for them. To each their own of course, but alot of us don't understand that score. It truly feels like another movie in the timeline, and the gameplay is perfectly paced, engaging, set pieces are great, graphics are on point. It's all superb. Highly recommend it when you can.
Definitely seems like a game he'd enjoy. It was just short of a top tier Zelda game for me. If they drop the Link combat and don't make it so easy to rely on a couple echoes to solve everything, another game in the same vein could be a masterpiece. But I'm mostly just happy we're this many years past Skyward Sword with no return to the extreme linearity, handholding, and tedious design the series had been veering into.
Zelda also my GOTY, it was just perfect. Design is top notch and a care for pace that I haven't found in games in the last decade. Oh, and the music, one of the best Zelda ost ever IMO
As for Indy, truly deserved 6/10 at Purexbox. Nice movie feeling to it but the pacing was horrible, really bad enemy AI, it's clumsy and dumb in general. Had fun with it though.
While there were parts I didn't care for, the more I played this game the more I liked it. It also helped that it was really funny.
I was pretty late to the party here - I only started playing Echoes of Wisdom last month. I am a huge fan of the series, and the reviews are almost all very good, so I had sky-high expectations.
Unfortunately, it just hasn't hooked me yet, about three hours in. I've blasted through the first few dungeons, learned dozens of echoes, and I'm just not loving it like I hoped I would.
I think what's missing for me is combat. I just don't like depending on echoes of monsters to do the fighting for me. I also find it much too easy... none of the puzzles have really challenged me at all, and I'm basically flying through the game.
The inconsistent performance also bothers me, perhaps more than it should, but I wish it was just locked at 30fps rather than jumping all over the place as it does.
Finally - and I know I am in the minority for this - I do not like the art style at all. I didn't like it in the Link's Awakening remake, either, and while I adore the original game, the remake felt a bit flat to me as well.
I guess what I'm saying is I don't really like Grezzo's latest efforts in the Zelda series, which is a shame because they absolutely crushed it with the Ocarina / Majora 3DS remakes.
Good game, maybe I'm not mentally creative or spacial enough but I tended to use a few echoes for movement and a five for fighting (terrible band). Really probably a water echo, a flying echo and a strong echoes for fights
Meanwhile, it ends up on Yahtzee's 'worst games of the year' list. Go figure.
Played it once. Completely forgot about it thereafter. Such a “meh” game.
@Rooty The reception to this game is so mixed it’s crazy. Never expected it to be so polarizing when I played it- I loved it, up there with my favourite top down Zelda’s honestly.
Yup. Didnt like this game either. Played it for a few hours, did the level in the desert and that was enough for me. Glad i got it physical and didn't lose too much on it when i flipped it.
Couldn't agree more with Suda51, that's one of the biggest reasons (but there are other ones like playing as Zelda etc.) why Echoes of Wisdom is overall such a great game - so looking forward to playing more of it each week and eventually finish if not even complete it!
It's sad but some men just didn't have the guts to admit they didn't want to play as a "girl" but had enough braincells to realize the blowback if they actually said that.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is not the greatest in the series but it is pretty solid, varied and fun. After this game I'd like Nintendo to do another The Legend of Zelda game wholly committed to Zelda with her personal set of armour, clothing, accessories, weapons and her own adventure of Epic proportions done in BOTW & TOTK style.
I loved the game though, could be my goty but I enjoyed astrobot more (still I have a soft spot with platform games). Not the best on the series but echoes felt refreshing, pretty sure gotta replay it in the future!
I've yet to pick this one up, as the mixed reviews kinda put off taking the gamble. I'm not really surprised Suda51 likes it though, because his favourite game in the series is Zelda II.
I didn't have this on my radar, but now I'm kind of interested. It's nice to see this article and then seeing the comment section supportive.
This game seems to have received a somewhat mixed reception but I loved it! Really unique and fresh take on Zelda.
I agree the combat could be better. I wish they had given Zelda a unique weapon she could use any time instead of Link's sword. Just make it a tad weaker so it would be rewarding to use echoes in combat too. But that's a minor blemish on an overall great game.
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