Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Review - Link To The Past
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment represents a high point for the spin-off series, enhancing its riotous hack-and-slash combat with added depth and variety, despite a few issues.
Background and Series Context
The Dynasty Warriors franchise has spawned numerous spin-offs over the years, including anime adaptations like 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 some of the most beloved, combining Omega Force’s flamboyant action with The Legend of Zelda’s iconic characters, settings, and foes.
A New Direction
With Age of Imprisonment, the two franchises are more deeply integrated than ever before, making the game feel more like a genuine Zelda title rather than just another musou spin-off. While it may not convert players who are not fans of this style, it refines and improves upon its predecessors in many ways.
Game Story Alignment
The narrative is the clearest example of the stronger connection between the series, emphasizing a more cohesive union of their worlds.
By Richard Wakeling on November 4, 2025 at 6:00AM PST
Overall, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment elevates the formula with richer gameplay elements, firmly rooting itself in Zelda’s universe while maintaining the excitement of musou combat.
Author's summary: This game deepens the fusion of Zelda’s lore with musou gameplay, offering a richer experience that will please fans despite some minor faults.