Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
If you enjoyed Koei Tecmo’s previous collaborations with Nintendo, you will likely appreciate this one. Koei Tecmo has applied its Musou “Warriors” style to Nintendo franchises five times—twice with Fire Emblem and now three times with The Legend of Zelda series.
This installment may be the most polished yet, demonstrating how Koei Tecmo has enhanced its skill at blending intense action with a deeper narrative. Previously, Warriors games used brief cutscenes framing the gameplay, but now the story is more seamlessly woven into battles.
- Key story battles incorporate cutscenes, character changes, and perspective shifts directly into the combat flow.
- This integration makes the gameplay feel less like isolated arcade levels and more like a continuous story experience.
The story itself adds a meaningful layer to the Zelda universe. Set during the same timeline as Tears of the Kingdom, the plot begins with Zelda falling into a magical sinkhole and awakening at the dawn of Hyrule's history, where she meets the kingdom’s first king and queen.
“It now feels less like you’re playing through a series of ‘levels,’ like you’re in an arcade. It’s a decent story and a contribution to the Zelda universe, too.”
This game showcases a refined balance of thrilling combat and evolving narrative, making it a compelling addition for fans.
Author’s summary: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment successfully merges fast-paced action with a richer story, delivering a fresh and engaging Zelda experience.