The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is as familiar as it is fresh

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has a wildly different set of mechanics compared to any other Zelda game, 3D or not.

With the Tri Rod, Zelda can create echoes of dozens of objects and creatures she encounters throughout the game and use them to solve puzzles and battle monsters.

The big plot device this time out is a series of otherworldly rifts that have opened up throughout Hyrule .

Echoes of Wisdom is packed with tons of great “a-ha!” moments when you naturally figure out exactly where the game is nudging you.

The main play pattern of “explore area, find dungeon, clear dungeon” is intact, but the game also takes a nod from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

The Hyrule overworld will feel familiar to anyone who played A Link to the Past .

Echoes of Wisdom has far more of a classic linear structure than Tears of the Kingdom .

It's colorful and detailed, with houses, characters, enemies and environments that feel like tiny toys.

I feel like Nintendo ’s developers drew inspiration from The Wind Waker , not so much in the cel-shaded graphics.

The music, as usual, is also outstanding throughout.