Series-best combat carried me through Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, but I think I'm done with the Breath of the Wild version of the Zelda universe

Series-best Combat Defines Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

The latest crossover between the Zelda series and the Musou genre relies heavily on players' familiarity with Zelda lore, but its core strength lies in delivering some of the best Warriors gameplay in years. If you have experience with previous entries, you likely know what to expect from Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.

This installment marks the third collaboration between The Legend of Zelda and Koei Tecmo's Warriors franchise. Over time, the two teams have become exceptionally skilled at creating these titles, which generally follow a familiar, established formula. In my opinion, the original Hyrule Warriors provided one of the most engaging twists on the one-versus-many Musou gameplay.

It used the Musou gameplay mechanics as a sturdy base, layering on Zelda-themed elements that enhanced the experience rather than just dressing it up superficially. This approach formed a compelling formula, as Zelda's world fit naturally with Warriors combat, more so than other crossovers like Fire Emblem or One Piece, raising the appeal of the otherwise straightforward hack-and-slash style.

Evolution Through the Series

Where the first game incorporated Zelda elements from various eras, the 2020 sequel Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity focused tightly on the universe of a single title—Breath of the Wild. It presented a non-canon alternate timeline that explored that game's narrative from a fresh angle, continuing the blend of Musou and Zelda with a sharper thematic focus.

"For my money, the first Hyrule Warriors was one of the most interesting takes on the one-versus-many Musou genre."
"The Zelda trappings meshing better with Warriors than the likes of Fire Emblem or One Piece, ultimately serving to elevate the deliberately simplistic and junk foodian nature of the hack-and-slash battles."

Author's Summary

This installment delivers refined Warriors combat enriched by Zelda lore, marking a high point in the series while signaling a possible conclusion to the Breath of the Wild-focused spin-offs.

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Eurogamer Eurogamer — 2025-11-04

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