The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom may have broken several franchise traditions, but it also revived a tradition that the last two mainline installments largely forewent: classic dungeons. Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom‘s dungeons are very similar to how they used to be in Zelda‘s heyday, which effectively checks off an item on the wish list of longtime fans who have been requesting for some time that Nintendo bring back the series’ classic dungeons.
There are eight dungeons in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, some of which could be considered better than others on account of their puzzles, environments, and boss fights. However, the following tier list is based on the most defining characteristic of a Zelda dungeon — its use of puzzles to both inhibit progress and grant access to certain areas.
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S-Tier Dungeon in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — Lanayru Temple
Arguably, the best dungeon in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is Lanayru Temple. From the mysterious and magical tone set by its wintry theme song to its icy aesthetics, it is among the most distinctive dungeons in the game and very much at home in a Legend of Zelda game as an ice-themed dungeon. As is tradition in a Zelda ice dungeon, players spend a significant portion of their time sliding around slick surfaces in Lanayru Temple, including when they’re facing its bosses.
However, where it has been quite an obstacle in past Zelda games, Echoes of Wisdom makes it a bit more manageable and even weaves some of its mechanics into sliding. Lanayru Temple stands out the most in its puzzles, which see players using varying degrees of temperature to make their way through the dungeon. This includes long sections that require either hot or cold air coming from a fan to enable progression from one room to the next. All in all, it’s an excellent dungeon and a great take on a classic formula.
A-Tier Dungeons in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — Faron Temple and Jabul Ruins
Falling just beneath Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom‘s Lanayru Temple are Faron Temple and Jabul Ruins. Where Faron Temple truly shines is in its atmosphere. Much like Lanayru Temple, Faron Temple’s music and imagery are some of the best Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has to offer when it comes to its dungeons. Apart from its atmosphere, Faron Temple’s puzzles are satisfyingly complex and fulfilling to complete. Unlike many of the dungeons in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, almost all of Faron Temple’s puzzles are different, as opposed to centering around a specific theme. Ultimately, this makes them all the more challenging to complete and reaching the dungeon’s boss even more rewarding.
Jabul Ruins, on the other hand, is Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom‘s water-themed dungeon, a concept the franchise has done time and time again throughout its history. Jabul Ruins is actually a lot like the Water Temple in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, in that everything players accomplish throughout the dungeon affects a contraption in the center that they can use to reach the boss. As far as puzzles go, Jabul Ruins is neatly divided into four unique sections, each of which follows a different theme. While this particular dungeon is a little more lean on the exploration side of things, its variety makes up for that and contributes toward Jabul Ruins being one of the best dungeons in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.
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B-Tier Dungeons in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — Gerudo Sanctum and Hyrule Castle
Somewhere in the middle of the list of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom‘s best dungeons are Gerudo Sanctum and Hyrule Castle, both of which have plenty to offer but still fall short in the areas that matter most. Gerudo Sanctum has the potential to be one of the first actual dungeons players visit apart from the Suthorn Ruins “tutorial” dungeon, and is therefore a bit simpler than the rest. Even so, its overarching puzzle is where it shines most, as attempting to mindlessly plow through it might leave some players scratching their heads and wondering what to do next. Gerudo Sanctum’s boss fight is also highly satisfying, as it requires plenty of movement to avoid certain death.
Hyrule Castle rightfully ties with Gerudo Sanctum when it comes to the best dungeons in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, as it serves as a major transition point in the story and thereby has some very high points. One of the highest points of Hyrule Castle in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is the fight between Zelda and Ganon, after which Null, the true antagonist, is finally revealed. Where Hyrule Castle stands out among the other dungeons in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is in its inclusion of stealth sections that are reminiscent of Zelda: Ocarina of Time‘s Hyrule Castle stealth segments. This is really the only dungeon in the game that features stealth as a primary mechanic, so Hyrule Castle deserves some praise for that, at the very least.
C-Tier Dungeon in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — Eldin Temple
Nearing the bottom of the list of the best dungeons in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is Eldin Temple. While Eldin Temple surprisingly reprises one of Zelda: Ocarina of Time‘s best boss fights, it just isn’t all that much in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. In fact, the boss fight with Volvagia in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom requires a lot of standing around and waiting, and the requirements for defeating Volvagia are very simple. The dungeon itself is very lacking when it comes to puzzles, and its traversal sections are a bit anticlimactic due to the amount of waiting they often require. All of that being said, Eldin Temple may have one of the best dungeon theme songs in the game, so it has that going for it.
D-Tier Dungeons in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — Suthorn Ruins and Null’s Body
At the bottom of the list of the best dungeons in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are Suthorn Ruins and Null’s Body. It’s not necessarily fair that Suthorn Ruins gets placed at the bottom of the list, as it is technically a tutorial dungeon for players and, therefore, is more likely to be a bit more difficult to enjoy. More than anything, Suthorn Ruins is far too simple compared to the other dungeons in the game, even though that’s mostly on purpose. One of the best things about Suthorn Ruins, however, is its early boss fight against Dark Link, which can be very challenging if players aren’t prepared before going in.
Finally, Null’s Body isn’t necessarily a bad dungeon, it’s just the worst among those in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. The dungeon’s visuals and tone are excellent as far as final destinations go, but the size of the dungeon and its lack of puzzles ultimately contribute to its low score. The sections where Link and Zelda are required to work together might have been fun, but Link’s wonky AI and the small amount of puzzles players are required to tackle make for a bit of an underwhelming experience. Thankfully, the boss fight against Null is action-packed and fun.