Series-best Combat in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
The latest Zelda and Musou crossover, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, relies heavily on players' familiarity with Zelda lore while delivering what is arguably the best Warriors gameplay in years.
Familiar Gameplay with a Proven Formula
This marks the third collaboration between The Legend of Zelda and Koei Tecmo's Warriors franchise. Over time, the developers have become highly skilled at crafting these titles, which follow a fairly predictable format. The original Hyrule Warriors stood out as a unique take on the one-versus-many Musou genre, using the well-known gameplay foundation enhanced by Zelda’s iconic themes and concepts.
Effective Integration of Zelda and Warriors
The mix worked well because Zelda’s recognizable imagery and lore fit naturally with the Warriors style. It blended seamlessly compared to other crossovers like Fire Emblem or One Piece. This combination elevated the straightforward hack-and-slash combat, enriching its appeal despite its simple design.
Evolution Through the Series
While the first game featured Zelda elements from across various eras, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (2020) focused on the world of Breath of the Wild. It presented a non-canonical alternate take on events from that specific title, further deepening the series' narrative approach.
"This is the third time we've seen The Legend of Zelda cross over with Koei Tecmo's Warriors franchise, and truth be told the two partners have become remarkably good at making these games — which are by their very nature a rather known quantity."
"For my money, the first Hyrule Warriors was one of the most interesting takes on the one-versus-many Musou genre."
Author's summary: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment delivers the strongest combat in the series, building on a well-established Zelda-Warriors formula that blends accessible gameplay with rich Zelda lore.