In “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom”, the princess finally takes power – rts.ch

Since the release of the first game in 1986, “The Legend of Zelda” has become one of Nintendo’s most iconic franchises. But we had to wait almost four decades for the princess who gives her name to this saga to finally become the heroine of an episode.

Released at the end of September, “Echoes of Wisdom” is the first opus of the video game series to be directed by a woman, Tomomi Sano. And here, the dynamic is reversed since it is the turn of Link, the elf who until then played the main role, to be captured by the forces of evil, leaving Zelda in charge of saving the kingdom of Hyrule.

A more accessible presentation

To open up to as many people as possible, “Echoes of Wisdom” abandons the vast 3D environments of the last two parts (“Breath of the Wild” and “Tears of the Kingdom”) in favor of a more accessible presentation, with a view to above, recalling the beginnings of the series.

The character design, colors and soundtrack remain faithful to the rich universe of the saga. On this front, Zelda ticks all the boxes for a modern Nintendo production. Where this new episode stands out is in the importance given to reflection and ingenuity, rather than brute force.

The magical power of echo

To lift the curse that weighs on her kingdom, Zelda must learn to master the elements of her environment. This is where the power of echo comes in, a magic that allows you to assimilate different objects to summon them at will. Some are practical, such as wooden boxes, beds, tables and trampolines to reach heights or cross a crevasse.

But Zelda is not limited to moving furniture: she can also summon rocks to attack her enemies or call creatures who will fight alongside her in more delicate situations. She can also temporarily transform into Link, to make the edge of her sword whistle, before returning to her royal form.

However, not all of these powers are unlimited and require magic points. Managing this resource then becomes a crucial strategic element to progress in the game. Knowing where and how to use “echoes” is essential to resolving situations. Here, all the action first involves a minimum of thought.

A subtle balance between puzzles and clashes

Very quickly, the inventory exceeds a hundred objects, which can seem confusing at first. But once the concept is assimilated, we understand that the game encourages experimentation until we find our favorite combinations. Each situation can be approached in different ways, depending on the objects or creatures available. Everyone will find their solution there. The different mechanics are introduced gradually, following a controlled learning logic.

“Echoes of Wisdom” then relies on a well-established recipe, combining its story with several dozen environmental puzzles, where curiosity is always rewarded. Developers never leave anything to chance, and in a Zelda game, chance often does things very well.

Technical imperfections

Unfortunately, not everything is perfect. The age of the Nintendo Switch is showing. The console struggles to maintain a constant frame rate without slowdowns. You will have to overcome these technical imperfections to enjoy the overall experience.

Of course, we would have preferred a smooth game from start to finish, but that in no way prevents “Echoes of Wisdom” from managing to revisit a cult series, while bringing its share of new features. A nice tour de force for a production which is finally opening up to female audiences.

Stéphane Laurenceau/aq

“The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom”, studios Grezzo, Nintendo, Pegi 7. Disponible sur Nintendo Switch depuis le 26 septembre 2024.