Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
If you enjoyed Koei Tecmo’s former collaborations with Nintendo, this latest release will impress you. Koei Tecmo has applied its Musou “Warriors” formula to Nintendo franchises five times so far — twice with Fire Emblem and three times with The Legend of Zelda, including Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.
This installment is possibly the most polished and cohesive yet, showcasing how effectively Koei Tecmo has enhanced the blend of intense action and storytelling. Previously, Warriors games relied on brief cutscenes framing a beat-em-up gameplay experience. Now, the narrative is more seamlessly woven into the battles, featuring pivotal story moments, character switching, and perspective changes during gameplay.
Though it may seem like a minor adjustment, this approach improves immersion and makes the game feel less like separate arcade-style levels and more like an integrated journey.
Story and Setting
The storyline adds meaningful content to the Zelda universe. Taking place during the same timeline as Tears of the Kingdom, the adventure begins as Zelda falls into a magical sinkhole and awakens at the dawn of Hyrule's history, where she encounters 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."
"A decent story and a contribution to the Zelda universe, too."
Key Improvements
- More integrated narrative within gameplay
- Story battles that include cutscenes and character changes
- Greater immersion compared to previous titles
Overall, this iteration solidifies Koei Tecmo’s growth in balancing large-scale action with an engaging story, yielding a fresh take on the "Warriors" experience for Zelda fans.
Author's summary: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment enhances the classic Warriors formula with a tighter narrative and immersive battles, enriching the Zelda universe and player engagement.