Gears of War Creator Criticizes Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Gears of War Creator Criticizes Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Key Takeaways

  • CliffyB is disappointed with Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, missing focus on action and adventure.
  • Echoes of Wisdom shifts focus to Zelda and is more focused on puzzle-solving.
  • Some fans are split on the new Zelda game.

As a longtime fan who grew up with the mighty Link slashing his way through Hyrule, I must confess that CliffyB’s recent critique of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has struck a chord within me. While I appreciate the innovative twist on puzzle-solving and the Tri Rod mechanics, I miss the raw action and adventure that made the series great.


As a dedicated gamer like many of you out there, I’ve always been a huge fan of the legendary action-adventure series, The Legend of Zelda. However, even as CliffyB, the creator of the iconic Gears of War, I must admit that my recent experience with Echoes of Wisdom, the latest addition to this beloved franchise, fell short of my expectations. Despite being a longtime fan of Link’s epic quests across Hyrule, I found that Echoes of Wisdom didn’t quite hit the mark in terms of capturing what I believe makes the series truly great.

In late September 2024, Echoes of Wisdom hit the shelves, winning praise from both fans and experts. This title has a remarkable OpenCritic score of 85. Bucking trends, the spotlight has shifted from Link to the heroine, Princess Zelda. Instead of engaging in swordplay or gathering gadgets, she now wields the Tri Rod, which mirrors enemies or objects encountered earlier.>

In Bleszinski’s opinion, the latest game set in Hyrule strays too far from its roots as an action and adventure title by emphasizing puzzle-solving elements such as stacking benches on crates or moving trees instead. Although Zelda has a wide range of abilities in “Echoes of Wisdom”, with the ability to summon 127 different echoes for combat and movement, some fans have been deterred by its departure from traditional gameplay and use of cuter, less realistic graphics. Despite this, Bleszinski has consistently supported the Zelda franchise and more recently praised “Breath of the Wild”, expressing appreciation for it despite his criticism of its weapon-breaking mechanics.

Gears of War Creator Wanted a More Action-Oriented Zelda Game

In a departure from traditional Legend of Zelda games, Echoes of Wisdom offers a unique gameplay experience. However, puzzle-solving has been a series staple since the NES days, and it continues to be a key element. More recently, players have been able to devise clever strategies to overcome enemies and navigate challenges due to the Ultrahand mechanics in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which offer a myriad of problem-solving options, including the construction of player-made vehicles and devices. The Tri Rod’s capabilities bear resemblance to Ultrahand, as both inspire players to think creatively to overcome enemies and obstacles.

In a departure from some opinions, Bleszinski isn’t the only one expressing displeasure towards the latest Zelda title. The reactions on the post appear to be quite balanced between supporters and critics. Some counterarguments in defense of the Gears of War creator suggest that as players progress through the game, the action intensifies, and strategies like drowning enemies with Echoes of Wisdom offer an enjoyable means to defeat opponents.

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2024-10-19 22:13