Review: 'Zelda' spin-off 'Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment' is as brainless as it is cathartic
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment comes across like high-energy fan fiction for those craving nonstop action. While its storyline is predictable and its gameplay formulaic, the game compensates with stylish design and lively co-op play.
Released Thursday, this title doesn’t aim for subtlety. Players wade through familiar narrative beats balanced by impressive animations and flashy effects. Even for those who’ve never enjoyed the musou genre, this entry can feel surprisingly refreshing.
“The Legend of Zelda” games have long been praised for blending exploration, puzzles, and combat. The “Hyrule Warriors” offshoot keeps only the fighting, pushing the action to extreme levels and discarding the rest.
For fans short on time or patience, that trade-off might be welcome. The reviewer notes that as a new father, short four-to-twenty-minute sessions fit perfectly into his sleep-deprived schedule, unlike more demanding titles such as Hollow Knight: Silksong.
However, those expecting a deep story or surprises will find little of either. The game feels more aligned with the chaotic, wave-based fun of Vampire Survivors than with the thoughtful adventure roots of Zelda. In spirit, “Age of Imprisonment” resembles polished fan fiction more than a canonical saga.
Author’s Summary
A flashy, fast-paced “Zelda” spinoff that trades depth for accessibility, delivering quick bursts of fun despite a thin story and repetitive structure.