Series-best combat carried me through Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, but I think I'm done with the Breath of the Wild version of the Zelda universe

The latest crossover between The Legend of Zelda and the Musou genre relies heavily on players’ familiarity with Zelda lore, yet beneath that stands some of the most refined Warriors gameplay seen in years. For fans, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment delivers exactly what they might expect — a solid mixture of chaos, strategy, and nostalgia.

This marks the third collaboration between Nintendo’s legendary adventure series and Koei Tecmo’s Warriors franchise. Over time, the two studios have learned how to merge their strengths, creating games that feel both familiar and satisfying. The result is a polished formula where the large-scale battles of Musou titles blend seamlessly with the mythic tone of Zelda’s world.

A familiar yet polished formula

Back when the first Hyrule Warriors launched, it stood out as a fresh take on the one-versus-many action formula. The developers used the Musou framework as a base and layered Zelda’s imagery, music, and lore on top, producing a mash-up that felt surprisingly harmonious. Compared to other franchise crossovers, such as Fire Emblem or One Piece, Zelda’s structured mythology offered a better narrative anchor and a sharper sense of identity.

“It treated the Musou setup as a foundation, and then used the trappings and concepts of The Legend of Zelda as icing on that proven-tasty cake.”

That clever balance gave players the fun of large-scale action spiced with familiar faces, locations, and melodies from across Zelda history. It was a fast, indulgent experience — one that didn’t pretend to be deep, but understood exactly what it needed to deliver.

From wild freedom to controlled chaos

The 2020 successor, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, took a more contained approach. Instead of mixing generations of Zelda lore, it focused entirely on the universe of Breath of the Wild. However, it told its own story outside the main series canon, reimagining the events that led to that game’s world in an alternate timeline. This allowed the developers to build upon the art style and tone fans recognized, while experimenting with faster pacing and expanded character interactions.

“Where the first game mashed up Zelda imagery from across the decades, 2020's Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity continued on the same path but channeled the worldview of a single entry, Breath of the Wild, offering a non-canon alternative universe take on that game's events.”

Author’s summary

The Age of Imprisonment refines Warriors’ battles with Zelda’s spirit, but after three crossovers, the magic of the Breath of the Wild era feels ready to rest.

Eurogamer — 2025-11-04