Honestly, if you looked at the Echoes of Wisdom rating on Metacritic the day it launched, you probably saw exactly what you expected. A solid green score. Critics mostly loved it. But scores are weirdly deceptive when it comes to a game that literally flips a 38-year-old script on its head. For the first time, we aren't playing as the blonde swordsman. We're playing as Zelda. And that change alone has turned the "rating" into a battleground between people who love the creative freedom of the "Echo" system and those who just really, really miss hitting things with a sword.
The game currently sits with a critic score in the mid-to-high 80s. That’s great. It’s "Must Play" territory for most. Yet, if you dig into the user reviews, the conversation is way messier. It’s a polarizing 8.6 or a frustrated 7.0 depending on who you ask and how much they hate menu scrolling.
Why the Echoes of Wisdom Rating Isn't a Perfect 10
Nintendo took a massive risk here. Instead of the traditional combat we’ve seen since the NES days, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom asks you to play like a tinkerer. You see a table? You copy it. You see a Moblin? You copy it. Then you summon those things to fight for you.
Critics like Alana Hagues from Nintendo Life praised the ingenuity of the puzzles, often citing how the game feels like a "2D version of Breath of the Wild." This is where the high Echoes of Wisdom rating comes from—the sheer density of "aha!" moments. But let’s be real for a second. The combat can feel clunky. Sometimes you just want to whack a bat, but instead, you're cycling through a horizontal menu of 100+ items trying to find the specific rock or bird you need.
It’s slow.
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For some gamers, that slowness is a dealbreaker. They see an 88/100 and think, "This is the best game of the year," only to realize they spend 40% of their time looking at a UI list. That disconnect is exactly why a single number never tells the whole story of a Zelda release.
Breaking Down the Gameplay Loop
The "Echo" mechanic is the heart of everything. You use the Tri Rod to "learn" objects and enemies.
The Good Stuff
- Infinite Solutions: You can bridge a gap with a bed, a trampoline, or a flying tile. There is no "wrong" way to play, which is rare for a top-down adventure.
- Dungeon Design: After the somewhat divisive "Divine Beasts" in the open-air games, Echoes of Wisdom brings back themed dungeons with big keys and classic bosses.
- Visual Charm: It uses the same toy-like aesthetic as the Link’s Awakening remake. It’s gorgeous, even if the frame rate dips occasionally in the Hyrule Field.
The Not-So-Good Stuff
- Menu Fatigue: Scrolling through your echoes is the biggest complaint in almost every review. It breaks the flow.
- Swordfighter Mode: There is a way to play as a traditional fighter, but it’s tied to a meter. Some fans feel this is a "crutch" that proves the core summoning mechanic isn't always enough to carry the action.
What the Experts Are Saying (Beyond the Number)
If you look at the technical analysis from Digital Foundry, they point out that the game struggles to maintain a locked 60fps. This technical hiccup has shaved a few points off the Echoes of Wisdom rating from more hardware-focused reviewers. It’s a bit of a bummer that a first-party Nintendo game still struggles with stuttering in 2024/2025, but that's the reality of the aging Switch hardware.
On the other hand, narrative experts like those at IGN or GameSpot have pointed out that giving Zelda her own agency—not just as a "sheik" or a ghost, but as a ruler using her wisdom—is a massive win for the franchise's lore. They argue that the rating reflects a successful "proof of concept" for future Zelda-led titles.
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How to Interpret the Score for Yourself
If you’re deciding whether to buy this based on the Echoes of Wisdom rating, you need to ask yourself what kind of gamer you are.
Do you like Scribblenauts? Do you like Minecraft? Do you enjoy the "chem engine" puzzles in Tears of the Kingdom? If the answer is yes, this game is a 10/10 for you. The score is actually too low. You will spend hours just seeing if you can stack six beds to skip an entire platforming section.
However, if you want the tight, rhythmic combat of A Link to the Past, you might find the 8/10 ratings a bit generous. You might find the game frustratingly indirect. Zelda doesn't strike; she manages. You are a project manager for a group of summoned monsters.
Actionable Tips for New Players
If you decide to dive in despite the discourse, here is how to make sure your personal experience matches those high critical ratings:
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- Sort Your Menus Early: Use the "Most Used" sorting filter immediately. It saves you minutes of scrolling through echoes you haven't touched since the first hour of the game.
- Don't Sleep on the Bed: The "Old Bed" echo is unironically one of the most powerful items in the game for traversal. It’s simple, it stacks, and it’s free.
- Upgrade the Meter: Focus on finding Might Crystals. These allow you to stay in Swordfighter mode longer. If you hate the summoning combat, this is your lifeline.
- Experiment with Combinations: Some echoes have hidden synergies. Try using a "Wind Cannon" to push a "Fire Keese" toward enemies.
The Echoes of Wisdom rating is ultimately a reflection of Nintendo's bravery. They could have made a safe, boring Zelda game where she just uses a bow and arrow. Instead, they made a weird, experimental, slightly messy masterpiece. It isn't a perfect game, but it’s a fascinating one that proves the Zelda formula still has plenty of room to grow, even if we have to deal with a few clunky menus along the way.
To get the most out of your playthrough, stop trying to play it like a Link game. Embrace the "Wisdom" part of the title. Put down the sword, summon a bunch of spiders, and see what happens when you let the game's systems break themselves. That’s where the real magic is hidden.
Next Steps for Players:
- Check your Switch storage: The game is a relatively small download, but ensure you have at least 6GB free for the base game and potential patches.
- Update your firmware: Nintendo released minor stability patches shortly after launch that slightly improve the frame rate issues mentioned in early reviews.
- Look for Might Crystals: If you find the game too difficult or slow, prioritize the "Still World" rifts to upgrade your combat stats early on.