Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment – A Surprising Blend
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a notable collaboration between Koei Tecmo and Nintendo, offering several exciting elements beyond expectations.
Having played over two dozen "Warriors" games, I expected familiar hack-and-slash battles. However, this release surprises by including what feels like a mini Star Fox game within it, complete with flying and shooting gameplay rarely seen in the series for nearly a decade.
Game Structure and Storyline
This title functions similarly to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, delivering action-packed gameplay while telling a prequel story to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
It acts as both a sequel to Age of Calamity—building on its systems and mechanics—and incorporates distinct features from Tears of the Kingdom.
The result is one of the strongest entries in the Warriors franchise in recent years, with a narrative that enriches the lore of Tears of the Kingdom.
Historical Narrative
The game depicts the Imprisoning War against Ganondorf, events that led directly to Tears of the Kingdom. The entire story unfolds in the distant past, focusing on Princess Zelda's alliance with King Rauru and Queen Sonia.
"It’s the closest thing we've gotten to a new Star Fox game where you can fly and shoot in nearly a decade."
Author's summary: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment masterfully blends familiar Warriors action with a hidden Star Fox-style experience, enriching the Tears of the Kingdom lore while delivering one of the series' strongest stories yet.