Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Highlights Zelda's Story
Koei Tecmo and Nintendo created a musou game that puts Princess Zelda at the center. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment tells a canonical tale and acts as a companion to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, captivating fans since its announcement.
Expanding the Imprisoning War
Koei Tecmo was tasked by Nintendo to expand the events of the Imprisoning War, a tragic yet intriguing conflict. The game also develops characters who were only briefly seen in flashbacks before. This ambitious goal could have either enriched the narrative or unnecessarily revealed what was better kept mysterious.
Balanced Narrative and Gameplay
The final product strikes a balance, offering exciting combat, emotionally engaging characters, and a story that complements the original game's somber tone with a playful, self-aware style. Although the musou genre’s repetitive nature is present—facing thousands of enemies repeatedly—the game offsets this through varied gameplay and a heartfelt narrative.
Story Setup
The story begins right after Zelda is sent back in time by a mysterious force at the start of Tears of the Kingdom, providing context and depth to the overarching plot.
"This 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 Zelda’s saga with intense battles and deep characters, striking a delicate balance between narrative depth and musou gameplay repetition.