Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Puts Zelda in the Spotlight
Koei Tecmo and Nintendo have collaborated on a musou game centered around Princess Zelda. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment tells a canonical story that complements The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, captivating fans since its announcement.
Expanding the Imprisoning War
Nintendo entrusted Koei Tecmo with expanding the tragic yet intriguing Imprisoning War. The game also develops characters previously seen only in brief flashbacks. This ambitious effort could have been either a powerful narrative extension or a misguided attempt to explain mysteries better left unknown.
A Balanced Final Product
The result falls in between. The sequel offers exciting combat, emotive characters, and a story that counterbalances the solemn tone of the original game with a playful, self-aware style.
Gameplay and Story Highlights
- Though the musou genre’s repetitive nature remains—facing thousands of enemies repeatedly—the game adds variety to keep players engaged.
- The compelling characters and strong gameplay mechanics enrich the experience despite the repetition.
- The narrative emotionally resonated, even knowing the inevitable outcome in advance.
Setting and Story Setup
Age of Imprisonment starts right after Zelda is sent back in time by a mysterious force at the beginning of Tears of the Kingdom.
"Koei Tecmo has been entrusted by Nintendo to flesh out the events of the tragic yet fascinating Imprisoning War, while simultaneously naming and developing characters who were previously only ever glimpsed through brief flashbacks."
"The musou sequel delivers thrilling combat, emotive characters, and a story that makes up for the base game’s stirring melancholy with an unflinchingly tongue-in-cheek personality."
Author’s summary: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment enriches the Zelda saga by blending emotional storytelling with dynamic musou gameplay, delivering a heartfelt and entertaining experience.