Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

If you enjoyed Koei Tecmo’s previous collaborations with Nintendo, you will likely appreciate this latest release. Koei Tecmo has brought its signature Musou "Warriors" gameplay style to Nintendo franchises five times, including twice with Fire Emblem and now three times with The Legend of Zelda.

This installment, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, stands out as the most cohesive and polished yet. It demonstrates how Koei Tecmo has refined its ability to blend intense, large-scale action with a compelling narrative.

Unlike previous Warriors titles, where the story was mostly conveyed through brief cutscenes framing the combat, this game offers a more seamless narrative experience. Important story battles now include integrated cutscenes, character switches, and shifting perspectives within the battle itself.

“It now feels less like you’re playing through a series of ‘levels,’ like you’re in an arcade.”

This approach enhances immersion, tying the gameplay and story together more effectively. The story itself enriches the Zelda universe, taking place during the same timeline as Tears of the Kingdom. It begins with Zelda falling into a magical sinkhole, waking up at the dawn of Hyrule’s history and meeting the very first king and queen of the kingdom.

Key Highlights

Musou formula applied to The Legend of Zelda for the third time
More integrated storytelling during battles
Improved narrative flow blending cutscenes and gameplay
Set in the same era as Tears of the Kingdom
Explores Hyrule’s origins with new character interactions

Author's summary: This game raises the bar for Warriors-style Zelda adventures by melding fast-paced battles with a rich, integrated narrative that deepens the franchise’s lore.

Digitally Downloaded — 2025-11-05

Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Key Highlights

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