Review: Hyrule Warriors – Age of Imprisonment
If you enjoyed Koei Tecmo’s earlier partnerships with Nintendo, this entry will likely impress you even more. The studio has now applied its signature Musou "Warriors" design to Nintendo properties five times—twice with Fire Emblem and now, for the third time, with The Legend of Zelda in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.
This release feels particularly cohesive, showing how effectively Koei Tecmo balances massive, fast-paced combat with a more connected story experience. Once, the plot in a Warriors title appeared mainly through short cutscenes around lengthy brawler gameplay. Now, important story battles naturally integrate cutscenes, character shifts, and new perspectives directly into the action.
“It sounds like a minor development, but it helps tie it all together, making it feel less like a list of arcade-style levels.”
The result is a smoother narrative flow that enriches the experience rather than interrupting it. The plot itself isn’t just functional—it adds real value to the wider Zelda universe. Set alongside Tears of the Kingdom, the story begins as Zelda falls into a mysterious magical sinkhole and awakens at the dawn of Hyrule, where she meets the realm’s first king and queen.
Author’s Summary
Koei Tecmo refines its action storytelling formula in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, blending fast combat with a seamless narrative that enhances The Legend of Zelda’s mythos.