Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
If you enjoyed Koei Tecmo’s previous collaborations with Nintendo, you will likely appreciate this latest entry. Koei Tecmo has adapted its Musou “Warriors” style to Nintendo franchises five times – twice with Fire Emblem and three times with The Legend of Zelda, including this title.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment stands out as one of the most coherent and polished in the series. It demonstrates Koei Tecmo's growing skill in balancing intense, fast-paced combat with a more integrated narrative experience.
"Where once the narrative of a Warriors game was shared via short cut scenes that bookended an extended beat-em-up brawler, now there’s a much more integrated narrative, with key story battles integrating cut scenes, changes of character and perspective, and more into the flow of battle."
This storytelling approach ties the gameplay and plot together better, making the game feel less like a sequence of disconnected levels and more like an immersive experience. The story itself is compelling and adds meaningful depth to the Zelda universe.
The plot unfolds during the same timeline as Tears of the Kingdom, beginning with Zelda falling into a magical sinkhole and awakening at the dawn of Hyrule’s history. There, she encounters the kingdom’s very first king and queen, setting the stage for the adventure.
Koei Tecmo successfully blends action and story, enhancing the player’s connection to the world and characters.
Author's Summary
This installment refines the Warriors formula by seamlessly weaving narrative into gameplay, delivering a fresh and enriching addition to the Zelda saga.