Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment – A Narrative Epic
Koei Tecmo and Nintendo have created a musou game where Princess Zelda is the central character. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment tells a canonical story that complements The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, captivating fans since its announcement.
Expanding the Imprisoning War
Koei Tecmo was given the task by Nintendo to explore the events of the tragic and intriguing Imprisoning War, introducing and developing characters who were previously only seen briefly in flashbacks. This could have either enriched the lore significantly or risked over-explaining a mysterious chapter better left in shadow.
Story and Gameplay Balance
The outcome is balanced: the sequel offers exhilarating combat, deeply emotional characters, and a storyline that compensates for the original game’s somber tone with a playful, sometimes cheeky style. Though the musou genre’s repetitive combat against countless enemies remains, the game mitigates this with engaging characters, varied gameplay, and a storyline that emotionally resonated despite the known outcome.
"Age of Imprisonment delivers thrilling combat, emotive characters, and a story that makes up for the base game’s stirring melancholy with an unflinchingly tongue-in-cheek personality."
Plot Setup
The game’s story begins right after Zelda is mysteriously sent back in time at the start of Tears of the Kingdom, deepening the narrative connection between the two titles.
Author’s summary:
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment enriches Zelda’s story with compelling characters and dynamic gameplay, skillfully blending emotional depth and playful storytelling despite the genre’s repetitive nature.