Koei Tecmo and Nintendo have created a musou game focusing on Princess Zelda like never before. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment tells a canonical tale that complements The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, captivating fans since its announcement.
Nintendo entrusted Koei Tecmo to expand on the tragic yet intriguing Imprisoning War, while giving depth to characters previously only seen in fleeting flashbacks. This ambitious task could either enhance the lore significantly or risk over-explaining a story better left mysterious.
The game lands in the middle, offering:
While repetition inherent to musou games remains—facing thousands of enemies repeatedly—Age of Imprisonment counteracts this with diverse gameplay and a story that deeply resonated, even though the outcome felt inevitable.
The plot begins immediately after Zelda is mysteriously transported back in time at the start of Tears of the Kingdom. This premise sets the stage for the events that unfold in the game.
“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.”
This sequel enriches the Zelda saga by combining gripping combat with heartfelt storytelling, filling gaps in the lore while maintaining charm and gameplay variety.
Author's Synopsis: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment masterfully expands Zelda’s story with thrilling combat and emotional depth, balancing familiar musou repetition with engaging characters and plot.