Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Review
The action in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is the best the series has delivered yet, though it cannot fully redeem a rather disappointing story. While The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is considered a masterpiece, it left many questions, particularly about the pivotal Imprisoning War that sealed away the Demon King Ganondorf.
One might expect the prequel, Age of Imprisonment, to explore this era in depth, following Princess Zelda during Hyrule's founding times. However, for Zelda fans seeking satisfying answers, the game mainly offers a thrilling, over-the-top experience filled with fanservice typical of the Warriors series, rather than a detailed depiction of Hyrule thousands of years ago.
"Age of Imprisonment only succeeds as the super fun, over-the-top, fanservice-filled power trip the Warriors series is known for rather than the fleshed-out glimpse into what Hyrule was like thousands of years ago."
The game clearly prioritizes gameplay over story, making it the least engaging narrative among the Breath of the Wild-related titles, but also the most enjoyable to play.
Gameplay and Setting
The series combines The Legend of Zelda universe with the gameplay formula of Dynasty Warriors, featuring intense 1 vs. many battles. The campaign in Age of Imprisonment, lasting about 18 hours, spans dozens of familiar battlefields set in the ancient version of Tears of the Kingdom's Hyrule.
- Includes skirmishes in the stunning golden Sky Islands
- Features combat in the dangerous, Gloom-infested Depths
"The Hyrule Warriors series takes the world of The Legend of Zelda and wraps it around Dynasty Warriors’ 1 vs. many battles."
Overall, Age of Imprisonment offers the best gameplay experience in the series, despite a story that remains underwhelming and less comprehensive than fans might hope.
Author's summary:
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment delivers exceptional gameplay but offers only a shallow narrative, leaving Zelda fans wanting deeper exploration of the Imprisoning War timeline.