Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
If you enjoyed Koei Tecmo’s past collaborations with Nintendo, this entry is likely to impress. Koei Tecmo has adapted its Musou "Warriors" formula 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 one of the most cohesive and polished yet, demonstrating how Koei Tecmo has enhanced its ability to blend intense action with a strong narrative. Earlier Warriors games relied on brief cutscenes framing extended beat-em-up gameplay, but here the story is more integrated.
- Key story battles feature cutscenes and shifts in character perspective within the flow of combat
- This integration makes the experience feel less like isolated arcade-style levels
The game delivers a solid story that contributes meaningfully to the Zelda universe. It is set during the same timeline as Tears of the Kingdom, beginning with Zelda falling into a magical sinkhole and waking at the dawn of Hyrule’s history. There, she encounters the kingdom’s first king and queen.
"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 development strengthens the story’s flow and immersion.
Summary
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment skillfully combines thrilling action with a richer narrative, offering a fresh, cohesive expansion to the Zelda saga.