Step into the mysterious Eastern Temple in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, where an archaeologist named Sago dares not enter alone. Tasked with the eerie “Let’s Play a Game” quest, you must navigate puzzling sparks, outwit cunning traps, and face the fearsome boss Smog to unlock the temple’s secrets and aid Sago’s research. Ready your wits and echoes-this dungeon challenges even the bravest adventurers.
In this Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom guide, we’ll show you how to get through the Eastern Temple and complete the “Let’s Play a Game” quest, including letting you know how to beat the temple boss, Smog.
Eastern Temple location and how to start ’Let’s Play a Game’
The Eastern Temple in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is located east of Hyrule Castle in the Hyrule Field area, easily identifiable by goblin-like statues at its entrance. To start the “Let’s Play a Game” side quest, speak with the archaeologist Sago who stands at the temple’s entrance. He explains that a mysterious voice has urged him to play a game inside, but he is too afraid to enter due to a lurking monster. Accepting his request initiates the quest, which involves exploring the temple, solving puzzles involving Sparks, and ultimately defeating the boss, Smog, to clear the temple for Sago’s research.
Head to the Eastern Temple, which is, fittingly, to the east of Hyrule Castle.
At the entrance, you’ll meet Sago, who will tell you that he wants to do some archeological work in the temple, but that he’s heard a strange voice asking him to play a game and fears there are monsters inside. You’ll need to clear out that monster to allow him to do his work.
Eastern Temple room #1
Upon entering Eastern Temple room #1 in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, you encounter two Sparks rotating around pillars. These Sparks do not cause damage but can stun and push Zelda back temporarily. The main challenge here is to redirect these Sparks into a yellow box located in the room. You can achieve this by using Boulder Echoes to guide the Sparks off the green blocks and toward the outer walls, eventually leading them into the box. Defeating the Sparks also grants you the Spark Echo, a useful ability for progressing further in the temple. This initial room sets the tone for the puzzle-solving and strategic use of Echoes required throughout the Eastern Temple.
Immediately inside the entrance to the Eastern Temple, you’ll be greeted by two sparks moving in sync around a pair of pillars. Sparks don’t do damage to Zelda, but they temporarily stun her and push her backwards.
You can use obstacles to push the sparks off path and let you pass, or you can defeat them using ranged enemy echoes. If you do, you’ll be able to learn the Spark Echo, which will come in handy later. Either way, head forwards to get deeper into the temple.
Eastern Temple room #2
In Eastern Temple room #2 of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, your main objective is to guide two Sparks into a yellow box located in the upper left corner of the room. This puzzle is more challenging than the previous one, requiring you to use Tri’s Bind ability to move a boulder and create a path for one Spark to ascend a ramp. Instead of chasing the Spark orbiting the middle, which moves in the wrong direction, it’s more efficient to use your Spark Echo to shoot a second Spark up the ramp and into the box. Successfully directing both Sparks into the box will allow you to progress deeper into the temple.
In this room there are three sparks as well as a cube-shaped mechanism in the corner. If you watch for a few seconds (while dodging the sparks!) you’ll see that one of the Sparks will enter the mechanism and cause it to light up.
You need to get the other two sparks into the cube to open the door. You can do this by grabbing them with Bind. It may be easier to time it if you trap them between two obstacles first. Head through the opened door to reach the next room.
Eastern Temple room #3
Eastern Temple room #3 in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom presents a puzzle challenge where you must guide two Sparks into a yellow box using environmental elements. To succeed, move the boulder on the upper right to direct the Sparks towards the ramp at the top of the room, ensuring they travel counter-clockwise so they can enter the yellow box. Alternatively, you can use the Spark Echo ability to shoot Sparks directly into the box, overcoming the room’s obstacle with precision and timing. This room builds on earlier Spark manipulation puzzles and is key to progressing deeper into the temple.
In this room you must also change the sparks’ path so that they enter the cube. First, make a step up to the boulder and small wall in the northern side of the room using a table. Then grab one of the sparks using X and climb this makeshift staircase.
Once the sparks are on the height level of the cube, you can release them and they should eventually cross paths with the cube. Go through the door that’s now open.
Eastern Temple room #4
Eastern Temple room #4 in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom presents a puzzle where you must guide two Sparks into a yellow box to progress. To solve this, use Tri’s Bind ability to move an isolated box next to the yellow box, creating a wall that helps funnel the Sparks. Then, repeatedly use the Spark Echo to send Sparks through the southern wall while dealing with an Octorok enemy that tries to disrupt your efforts. Successfully directing two Sparks into the yellow box will reveal a chest containing 50 Rupees, rewarding your puzzle-solving skills before moving deeper into the temple.
In this room there are two sparks guarding a chest. Since you can’t move them out of there with Bind, you can use a ranged enemy echo such as a spear moblin to defeat them. The spear moblin’s accuracy isn’t great against a moving enemy, but it will get them eventually!
Open the chest to get five rock salt and then proceed down the ladder on the western side of this room.
Eastern Temple room #5
In Eastern Temple room #5 of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, players face a puzzle involving guiding two Sparks into a yellow box. This room builds on earlier challenges where Sparks orbit pillars and must be directed using obstacles or the Spark Echo ability. Here, you need to move a boulder using Tri’s Bind ability to help guide the Sparks up a ramp and into the yellow box. Successfully completing this puzzle is key to progressing further in the temple and ultimately defeating the boss, Smog, to complete the “Let’s Play a Game” side quest.
In this 2D room there are a couple of sparks rotating around the upper platforms and a caromadillo on the floor. Defeat the caromadillo using an enemy echo to get the Caromadillo Echo Lv. 2. Then you can either defeat the sparks or move past them using careful timing to enter the next room to the right.
Eastern Temple room #6
The Eastern Temple room #6 in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom presents a challenging puzzle involving the manipulation of Sparks. In this room, players must guide two Sparks into a yellow box by using environmental objects and the Spark Echo ability. The puzzle requires moving boulders with Tri’s Bind ability to redirect the Sparks’ paths effectively. Successfully solving this puzzle is crucial to progressing deeper into the temple and ultimately facing the boss, Smog, as part of the “Let’s Play a Game” quest given by the archaeologist Sago.
In this room, the sparks enter the water, electrifying a small radius around them. However, they’re not too difficult to avoid. Swim down to the bottom of the pool to open a chest with 50 Rupees in it, and then continue to the right. Be sure to pause if avoiding the boulder would cause you to collide with a spark, but you should be able to climb out on the other side without too much bother. Climb down the staircase to enter the next room.
Eastern Temple room #7
The Eastern Temple Room #7 in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom presents a challenging puzzle involving Sparks that rotate around pillars. In this room, players must skillfully direct these Sparks into a yellow box by manipulating obstacles and using the Spark Echo ability acquired earlier in the temple. The key is to guide the Sparks along specific paths, often requiring the use of Zelda’s companion Tri’s Bind ability to move boulders and create routes. Successfully solving this puzzle is essential to progress deeper into the temple and ultimately confront the boss, Smog, as part of the “Let’s Play a Game” quest.
This is a bit of a breather room, with two pots you can break but no enemies.
How to defeat Smog, the Eastern Temple boss
To defeat Smog, the Eastern Temple boss in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, you must adapt to its unique phases. In the first phase, Smog is immune to normal attacks, so switch to Zelda’s Swordfighter Form and attack from a distance with arrows until Smog flashes white, indicating damage. In the second phase, Smog splits into three smaller clouds that cannot be harmed directly; you need to use boulders or Echoes like Pots to guide these clouds to collide and merge back into one. Repeat this strategy in the third phase when Smog breaks into five clouds, carefully maneuvering them to combine again. Once Smog is whole, use the Swordfighter Form and arrows to finish the fight. Breaking jars in the arena can help restore health during the battle. Defeating Smog completes the Eastern Temple and the “Let’s Play a Game” quest, rewarding you with a Heart Piece, Rupees, and the Ancient Charm accessory upon returning to Sago.
Entering this room will kick off the Eastern Temple’s boss battle, an electric cloud called Smog.
Smog will move around this maze-like area, shooting balls of lightning at you. Swordfighter form won’t be much use to you here as Smog can electrocute Zelda via the sword.
Summon ranged enemy mobs, like the spear moblin, at intersections to get a good shot at Smog. You can also briefly Bind him to give them a bit more time to make a shot. This will also reverse Smog’s direction.
After three hits, Smog will concede the “round” and break into three smaller pieces. You will need to watch their patterns and interrupt and block them with boulders to get them to recombine before you can do any more damage to him.
Once Smog is back in one piece, repeat the steps to break him down again, this time into five pieces. Once again, shepherd these pieces back into one giant Smog while avoiding the electricity. Note that the one in the top right is trapped and you will have to push the boulder out of the way to free it.
All you need to do now is hit Smog three more times with echo enemy attacks and you will have completed this boss battle! You’ll get a bunch of Rupees and a Heart Pieceas a reward. And you’ll be teleported back to Eastern Temple Room #1, so you can go outside and tell Sago the good news.
Sago will give you an ancient charm which reduces the amount of harm taken while you’re wearing it. This will complete the “Let’s Play a Game” quest.
After completing this quest, if you’re far enough through the game to have completed the Faron Wetlands rift, you’ll be able to start the “Cotton Candy Hunt” quest at the Hidden Ruins, which leads on from this one.
What secrets does the Eastern Temple hide for Zelda players
The Eastern Temple in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom conceals a series of intricate puzzles and challenges centered around controlling and manipulating Sparks-electrified enemies that can stun but not harm Zelda. Players must use newly acquired Echo abilities, such as the Spark Echo and Sea Urchin Echo, to solve environmental puzzles like lighting yellow conduits by directing Sparks, moving boulders, and navigating underwater sequences. The temple also hides valuable treasures, including Purple Rupees and Rock Salt, accessible through clever use of Echoes and enemy summons. At its core, the temple holds the “Let’s Play a Game” side quest, where aiding the archaeologist Sago requires defeating the lurking monster Smog, the temple’s formidable boss. Completing this quest rewards players with a valuable accessory that offers damage protection, making the Eastern Temple both a test of skill and a source of powerful rewards.
What hidden items or clues are concealed within the Eastern Temple walls
Within the Eastern Temple walls in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, several hidden items and clues await discovery. Notably, there are treasure chests guarded by sparks, containing valuable items such as five units of Rock Salt. Players can access these chests by cleverly using ranged enemy echoes to defeat or redirect the sparks. Additionally, the temple features enigmatic statues resembling creatures like armadillos or aardvarks, which hint at deeper lore and thematic connections but remain shrouded in mystery. The temple also conceals a Spark Echo, obtained by defeating the sparks early on, which is crucial for solving subsequent puzzles involving guiding sparks into mechanisms to unlock doors. Further secrets include the Caromadillo Echo, gained by defeating a roaming creature inside, which helps in navigating the temple’s challenges. These hidden elements enrich the temple’s atmosphere and gameplay, rewarding players who explore carefully and use their Echo abilities strategically.
