Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
If you enjoyed Koei Tecmo’s earlier collaborations with Nintendo, this title will likely impress you even more. Koei Tecmo has now brought its Musou “Warriors” gameplay to Nintendo worlds five times – twice with Fire Emblem and three times with The Legend of Zelda, including Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.
This installment feels like the most unified and polished yet, highlighting Koei Tecmo’s evolving skill in blending large-scale, intense action with a deeper narrative. Previously, stories in Warriors games were mostly shared through brief cutscenes surrounding long beat-em-up battles. Now, the narrative is better integrated, with key story battles featuring cutscenes, character switches, and perspective shifts woven smoothly into the action.
Although this may seem like a small change, it significantly improves the cohesion of the experience. The game moves away from feeling like a series of disconnected arcade-style levels to a more immersive journey.
Story and Setting
The plot serves as an engaging addition to the Zelda universe, set during the same timeline as Tears of the Kingdom. The story begins with Zelda falling into a mysterious magical sinkhole and awakening at the dawn of Hyrule’s history. There, she encounters the very first king and queen of the kingdom.
"It sounds like a minor development, but it helps tie it all together, and it now feels less like you’re playing through a series of “levels,” like you’re in an arcade."
"Set during the same arc as Tears of the Kingdom, things kick off with Zelda falling into the magic sinkhole, only to wake up right at the beginning of Hyrule’s history, meeting the very first king and queen of the kingdom."
Gameplay Evolution
- Enhanced narrative integration within battles
- Character and perspective changes mid-fight
- More immersive story progression compared to earlier titles
Summary
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment masterfully blends frantic action with a more engaging story, marking a significant evolution in Koei Tecmo’s Warriors series on Nintendo platforms.