Suda51 Reveals His Top Game of the Year for 2024

2024 Gaming Highlights

2024 witnessed an array of remarkable game releases.
Suda 51, the renowned game designer, declared The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom as his favorite game of the year.
This installment features Zelda as the main character wielding a Tri-Rod to conjure echoes for solving puzzles and engaging in combat.

Celebrated for creating iconic titles like No More Heroes and Shadows of the Damned, game developer Suda 51 has expressed his admiration for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, naming it his game of the year for 2024. Known for his distinctive action-packed games, Suda 51 has left a lasting mark on the gaming community with his unique creative vision.

This year’s gaming landscape is enriched with a variety of impressive titles spanning remakes, such as Silent Hill 2 and Persona 3 Reload, in addition to captivating indie games like Balatro. Notable role-playing games (RPGs) have also emerged, with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth being among the year’s standout releases. Nintendo contributed to the year’s excitement by unveiling a fresh entry in the Zelda series, generating enthusiasm for Echoes of Wisdom, which has been hailed for its innovative gameplay and fresh perspective on the iconic franchise.

In a recent interview with GamesRadar, Suda 51 delved into his past collaborations and current projects, reflecting on his partnership with Shinji Mikami in crafting Shadows of the Damned in 2011. He humorously dismissed the need to praise Echoes of Wisdom publicly but noted that it captivated him thoroughly.

Suda 51 highlighted that Echoes of Wisdom stands out from its predecessors, attributing its charm to an appealing and cartoonish art style, as well as nostalgic elements reminiscent of earlier titles in the series. He remarked on how engrossing the game’s world is, filled with intricate details that foster a profound gaming experience. He stated, “I truly feel it offers a different flavor compared to the larger Zelda games, leaning toward a more cartoonish aesthetic while also paying homage to classic entries. Once you immerse yourself, it draws you in completely. The world was enchanting, and I felt like I was rediscovering Zelda.”

This latest installment breaks away from tradition by not equipping Zelda with Link’s usual sword-fighting skills as her primary combat method. Instead, players guide Zelda in utilizing the Tri-Rod to bring forth echoes of scanned elements or adversaries for puzzle-solving and battles. As anticipation builds for 2025, fans are eagerly speculating about potential HD remasters of Wind Waker and Twilight Princess for the upcoming Switch 2 console, promising more excitement ahead.

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