Shacknews Top 24 Games of the Year 2024

#3 Game of the Year 2024 - The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

After the incredible success of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, no one expected to hear about one of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises for years to come. But the Big N had other plans. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom brought us one of the best classic 2D-style Zelda games in a long time, utilizing the adorable art style of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and shaking up what players had come to expect of the franchise.

For decades, players have filled the green tunic of Link as the main hero, but Echoes of Wisdom shirked that norm. For the first time ever, players were now in control of Zelda. This dramatic change in main protagonist (though, one could certainly argue about who the real hero is across all the games) had an equally dramatic effect on the gameplay in Echoes of Wisdom.

Zelda isn’t a fighter. She’s not wielding a sword and shield in the same manner as Link. It’s just not her style. As the holder of the Triforce of Wisdom, Zelda is able to tap into something else entirely, and Echoes of Wisdom leans hard into this. The game introduces Tri, a magical being that bestows on Zelda a wand that can summon echoes – copies of objects and creatures Zelda encounters in her adventure.

This mechanic starts off simple enough: summon a bed to reach higher levels. But it’s not long before the complexity and depth of Echoes of Wisdom begins to shine through. This is thanks to Nintendo’s ability to give players tools and the agency to use those tools in any manner they see fit. Will you summon an Ignizol to clear a field of grass or perhaps an army of sea urchins to fight on your behalf?

No matter how you approach Echoes of Wisdom, there’s always going to be a solution to your troubles, a way to overcome the challenges before you. It’s a theme that runs through the heart of the Zelda franchise and one that stands out in Echoes of Wisdom. It’s an incredible game and a testament to how much the series means to not only the players, but to the developers at Nintendo.

Read more love in Asif Khan’s The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom review.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is available on the Nintendo Switch platform.

Shack Staff

Shack Staff stories are a collective effort with multiple staff members contributing. Many of our lists often involve entires from several editors, and our weekly Shack Chat is something we all contribute to as a group.