The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

A good Zelda game. The game has a good length - not too long, not too short - which is perfect for someone like me who doesn't have much free time. The graphics are simple but beautiful, making the world feel charming and unique. The gameplay combines classic 2D Zelda style with a new "echo mechanic", which is the best part of the game. Using echoes to solve puzzles and challenges is a lot of fun, and I loved how there were different ways to complete them.

The story is interesting, and my 8-year-old son really enjoyed it. He played on his own profile, read all the dialogues, and had a great time. I also liked the Still World: a mysterious place that looks amazing and offers just the right amount of challenge without dragging on. Playing as Zelda instead of Link was a nice change, though Link does make some small appearances. Zelda can transform into a "Swordfighter form", which works like Link's usual fighting style, but it's limited by a sword gauge that you refill by collecting energy in the Still World. This added some strategy to the combat.

There are some negatives, though. The frame rate drops below 30 FPS sometimes, which can be frustrating, and the loading screens - though quick - happen too often, like when entering or leaving a room or dungeon. Also, the dialogues are subtitles only (no voice acting) and feel a bit slow at times. While the main quests are enjoyable, the dungeons and rifts can get repetitive because they follow the same patterns. The side quests are also a bit silly and don't add much to the game.

After finishing the story, you can keep playing, but it feels a bit odd. You have to watch the un-skippable credits, and when you load the game again, it's like you're about to fight the final boss. The major rifts are gone, but small traces of them remain, which doesn't make much sense. At least the game helps you find any echoes you missed, which is nice.

Overall, it's a fun game, despite some flaws. A good experience for both adults and kids. I'd recommend it to any Zelda fan looking for something new but familiar.