Final Fantasy XIV director and producer Naoki Yoshida has high praise for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, calling it one of the most impressive games he’s played recently—and not just as a fan, but as a fellow game developer.
In a new interview with Famitsu, Yoshida shared how deeply he admired Echoes of Wisdom, highlighting its smart use of resources, thoughtful design, and development philosophy. According to him, it’s a standout example of how to create a fun game without ballooning production costs.
“All recent games are interesting,” Yoshida said, “but I was particularly impressed with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.” He emphasized how Grezzo—the studio behind this original Zelda spin-off—delivered an experience that felt fresh and fun while cleverly reusing assets from past titles.
“The base resources are almost the same as other Zelda games,” he noted, pointing out how the development team focused entirely on gameplay innovation while being mindful of budget. Instead of chasing massive sales or flashy production, they made fun the priority. And that, to him, was what made it truly remarkable.
Yoshida even described the game as a great case study for aspiring developers. “That work was born because the knowledge of veterans and the sensibilities of young people worked very well together as a team,” he explained. “I hope new developers play it from that perspective. For me, it’s an extremely noteworthy title.”
He also called attention to the game’s balance between creativity and constraint—how the decision to reuse assets wasn’t just practical but strategic. “This idea doesn’t come about overnight,” he said. “It’s a form that could only be created by a team that knows their strengths and works together with a shared vision.”
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom released in September 2024 as the first original Zelda title developed by Grezzo, the studio previously known for handling remakes like Link’s Awakening and Ocarina of Time 3D. The game recently received a quality-of-life update improving its Echoes menu system, further refining the unique gameplay concept it introduced.
Whether you’re a longtime Zelda fan or a game designer looking for inspiration, Yoshida’s words remind us that greatness in game development isn’t always about scale—it’s about thoughtful craftsmanship.
