Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
If you enjoyed Koei Tecmo’s previous collaborations with Nintendo, you will likely appreciate this latest release. Koei Tecmo has applied its Musou “Warriors” gameplay style to Nintendo franchises five times—twice with Fire Emblem and now three times with The Legend of Zelda, including Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.
This installment stands out as possibly the most polished and coherent yet, showcasing Koei Tecmo’s growing skill in balancing intense action with a stronger narrative. Previously, Warriors games relied mainly on brief cutscenes framing the action-packed gameplay. Now, the story is more seamlessly woven into the battles, with pivotal story moments including cutscenes, character shifts, and changes in perspective that enhance the flow of combat.
This integration might seem subtle, but it creates a more immersive experience, moving away from the feel of playing isolated arcade-style levels. The story itself is engaging and adds meaningful context to the Zelda universe.
Plot Setting
The story unfolds during the same arc as Tears of the Kingdom. It begins with Zelda falling into a magical sinkhole, awakening at the dawn of Hyrule’s history. There, she encounters the kingdom’s very first king and queen, setting the stage for the game's events.
"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."
"It now feels less like you’re playing through a series of ‘levels,’ like you’re in an arcade."
This title not only refines the Warriors gameplay formula but also enriches the Zelda lore with a well-crafted narrative embedded within thrilling action sequences.
Author’s summary: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment successfully blends fast-paced combat with a deeply integrated story, marking a significant evolution in Koei Tecmo's Warriors series within the Zelda universe.