Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

If you enjoyed Koei Tecmo’s previous collaborations with Nintendo, you will likely appreciate this installment even more. Koei Tecmo has introduced its Musou “Warriors” style to Nintendo franchises five times—twice with Fire Emblem and now three times with The Legend of Zelda, including Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.

Gameplay and Narrative Integration

This entry may be the most cohesive and polished yet, demonstrating how Koei Tecmo has refined the balance between fast-paced action and storytelling. Previously, Warriors games conveyed narrative through brief cut scenes framing extended beat-em-up gameplay. Now, the story is more seamlessly woven into battles with:

Integrated cut scenes during key fights
Switching characters and perspectives within missions
Smoother flow that avoids feeling like a series of disjointed levels

This approach offers a more immersive experience, making the story feel less arcade-like and more engaging.

Story and Setting

The narrative is set during the same timeline as Tears of the Kingdom. It begins with Zelda falling into a magical sinkhole, awakening at the dawn of Hyrule’s history. There, she meets the very first king and queen of the kingdom, adding a meaningful chapter to the Zelda universe.

"It’s a decent story and a contribution to the Zelda universe, too."

This installment enriches the series by combining classic Warriors gameplay with an integrated, evolving story.

Author’s Summary

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment offers a refined mix of action and narrative, delivering an engaging Zelda story tightly woven into dynamic gameplay.

Digitally Downloaded — 2025-11-06