Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Review - Link to the Past
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment brings notable improvements to the spin-off series, enhancing its fast-paced hack-and-slash gameplay with greater depth and variety. Despite a few flaws, it marks a high point for the franchise.
Background and Series Context
Over the years, the Dynasty Warriors series has spawned numerous spin-offs, including anime adaptations such as Gundam, Berserk, and One Piece, as well as video game crossovers with Persona and Fire Emblem. Among these, the 2014 collaboration Hyrule Warriors and its sequel, Age of Calamity, stand out as the most popular. They successfully blend Omega Force's exaggerated hack-and-slash style with The Legend of Zelda's memorable characters, locations, and enemies.
Integration of Zelda and Musou Elements
In Age of Imprisonment, the fusion between the two franchises is deeper than ever, making the game feel more like a fresh Zelda installment rather than just another musou spin-off. The story aligns closely with both series, enhancing the experience for fans.
"Age of Imprisonment improves upon its predecessors in numerous ways."
While it may not convert players who are not already fans of the genre, this installment elevates the gameplay and narrative aspects significantly.
Conclusion
The game refines its predecessors' formulas and offers a richer blend of action and storytelling, making it a standout title for enthusiasts of both Zelda and musou games.
Author's summary: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment deepens the Zelda and musou fusion with improved gameplay and story, setting a new benchmark for the series despite some minor flaws.