Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
If you enjoyed Koei Tecmo’s previous projects with Nintendo, this installment will impress you. Koei Tecmo has delivered its signature Musou "Warriors" gameplay to Nintendo franchises five times—twice with Fire Emblem and three times with The Legend of Zelda, including this release.
This title stands out as perhaps the most polished and well-structured so far, demonstrating Koei Tecmo’s improved skill in blending intense action with a compelling narrative. Previously, Warriors games relied mostly on brief cutscenes framing a continuous beat-em-up experience. Now, the story is more seamlessly integrated into gameplay with key battles featuring cutscenes, character and perspective shifts, and smooth transitions that enhance immersion.
Though a subtle change, this approach makes the game feel less like a collection of arcade-style levels and more like a unified adventure. The story itself contributes meaningfully to the Zelda lore.
Plot Setting
The narrative takes place during the same timeline as Tears of the Kingdom. It opens with Zelda falling into a magical sinkhole and awakening at the dawn of Hyrule’s history, where she encounters 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."
This evolution in storytelling transforms the gameplay experience, making it feel engaging and cohesive.
Summary
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment skillfully enhances Musou gameplay with a well-woven story, marking an important step in Koei Tecmo’s collaborations with Nintendo.
Author's summary: This edition of Hyrule Warriors successfully blends fast-paced action with a more integrated narrative, enriching the Zelda universe with a fresh and immersive story.