Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

If you enjoyed Koei Tecmo’s previous collaborations with Nintendo, this game will likely impress you. Koei Tecmo has applied its Musou “Warriors” style to Nintendo franchises five times—twice with Fire Emblem and now three times with The Legend of Zelda through Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.

This installment might be the most polished and coherent yet, showcasing Koei Tecmo's improved ability to balance intense action with storytelling. Earlier Warriors games conveyed their narratives mostly through brief cut scenes framing the brawler action, but now, the story is more seamlessly integrated. Key battles include cut scenes, character switches, and perspective shifts, blending narrative and gameplay smoothly.

This subtle change unites the experience, making it feel less like a series of separate arcade-like levels and more like a continuous adventure. The story itself is engaging and enriches the Zelda lore.

Set during the same timeline as Tears of the Kingdom, the game begins with Zelda falling into a magical sinkhole. She awakens at the dawn of Hyrule’s history, meeting the kingdom's very first king and queen.

This narrative approach helps the game stand out among previous entries and adds depth to the Zelda universe.

Author’s summary: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment successfully merges fast-paced combat and an integrated story, deepening the Zelda universe while offering a fresh, engaging experience.

Digitally Downloaded — 2025-11-05

Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

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