Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
If you enjoyed Koei Tecmo’s earlier collaborations with Nintendo, this latest release will likely impress you. Koei Tecmo has applied its Musou “Warriors” gameplay style to Nintendo franchises five times so far — twice with Fire Emblem and now three times with The Legend of Zelda series.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment might be the most polished and cohesive of these titles. It demonstrates how Koei Tecmo has refined its ability to balance intense action with storytelling. Previously, narratives in Warriors games unfolded through brief cutscenes framing an extended beat-em-up experience. Now, the story is far more integrated, with key battles incorporating cutscenes, character switches, and shifts in perspective directly into the gameplay flow.
This change enhances immersion, making the experience feel less like isolated arcade levels and more like a continuous journey. The story itself is engaging and adds to the Zelda universe. It takes place during the same time period as Tears of the Kingdom, beginning with Zelda falling into a magical sinkhole and awakening at the dawn of Hyrule’s history, where she meets the kingdom’s first king and queen.
“Where once the narrative of a Warriors game was shared via short cut scenes that bookended an extended beat-em-up brawler, now there’s a much more integrated narrative, with key story battles integrating cut scenes, changes of character and perspective, and more into the flow of battle.”
“It now feels less like you’re playing through a series of ‘levels,’ like you’re in an arcade.”
Key Features
- Musou “Warriors” formula adapted to Zelda universe
- Integrated storytelling woven through gameplay battles
- Expanded narrative elements with character and perspective shifts
- Set during the same arc as Tears of the Kingdom
- Explores Hyrule’s earliest history
Overall, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment successfully blends fast-paced action with a meaningful story, making it a memorable addition to both Koei Tecmo’s Warriors series and the Zelda franchise.
Summary: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment elevates the Warriors formula by deeply integrating story and gameplay, delivering an exciting and immersive Zelda experience set during the kingdom’s earliest days.