Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment's Best New Feature
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a notable collaboration between Koei Tecmo and Nintendo, offering several surprising elements despite being rooted in a familiar formula. Having played numerous “Warriors” titles before, I expected similar gameplay, but this game delivers an unexpected twist.
A Surprise Star Fox Experience
Remarkably, the game includes what feels like a mini Star Fox experience, letting players fly and shoot, which is the closest we've had to a new Star Fox game in nearly ten years.
Gameplay and Story Continuity
Age of Imprisonment follows the action-packed style of its predecessor, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, serving as both a prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and a sequel to Age of Calamity. It builds on existing systems while incorporating new elements unique to Tears of the Kingdom.
Plot Overview
The game explores the Imprisoning War against Ganondorf, set long before the events of Tears of the Kingdom. It centers on Princess Zelda's interactions with King Rauru and Queen Sonia during this distant era.
"Age of Imprisonment essentially does the exact same thing as the previous game, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, in that it’s an action-focused experience that tells the prequel story to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom."
"There’s basically a mini Star Fox game in your Warriors game."
Conclusion
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment stands out as one of the strongest recent entries in the Warriors series, delivering both engaging battles and a story that deepens the lore of Tears of the Kingdom.
Author's summary: This installment redefines expectations by embedding a Star Fox-like flying shooter within a dynamic Warriors game, while enriching Zelda lore and gameplay mechanics.