Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment as a Narrative Epic
Koei Tecmo and Nintendo have created a musou game featuring Princess Zelda in the lead role. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment tells a canonical story and serves as a companion to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, captivating fans since its announcement.
The developers were tasked with expanding the tragic and intriguing Imprisoning War, while also bringing to life characters who previously appeared only in fleeting flashbacks. This ambitious goal could have resulted in either a brilliant narrative extension or an unnecessary detailing of a part best left mysterious.
The outcome falls in between, offering exciting combat, emotional characters, and a story that balances the base game's somber tone with a humorous and self-aware style.
Gameplay and Narrative Balance
Although the repetitive nature typical of musou games—facing countless enemies repeatedly—is unavoidable, Age of Imprisonment counters this with engaging characters, diverse gameplay elements, and a story that emotionally resonated with me, despite knowing the inevitable conclusion.
Setting the Stage
The story begins immediately after Zelda is sent back in time by a mysterious force at the start of Tears of the Kingdom, deepening the overall plot.
"Koei Tecmo has been entrusted by Nintendo to flesh out the events of the tragic yet fascinating Imprisoning War, while simultaneously naming and developing characters who were previously only ever glimpsed through brief flashbacks."
"The musou sequel 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."
Author's summary: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment enriches the Zelda saga by skillfully combining emotional depth, engaging gameplay, and a fresh narrative perspective on a much-anticipated war.