Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Review - IGN
The best Hyrule Warriors action yet comes with a very disappointing story. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a masterpiece, but it leaves many unanswered questions about a crucial event in its timeline: the Imprisoning War that sealed away Demon King Ganondorf.
You might expect a prequel like Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment to deeply explore this era, following Princess Zelda back to the founding of Hyrule. However, fans seeking meaningful answers will be let down. Age of Imprisonment shines mainly as a fast-paced, over-the-top, fanservice-packed experience typical of the Warriors series rather than a rich historical insight into Hyrule thousands of years ago.
The game focuses heavily on gameplay rather than story, making it the least compelling narrative in Zelda’s Breath of the Wild four-part saga by a significant margin. The upside is that Age of Imprisonment offers the most satisfying gameplay the Hyrule Warriors series has ever delivered.
Gameplay and Setting
The Hyrule Warriors series combines the world of The Legend of Zelda with Dynasty Warriors’ 1-vs-many combat style. Age of Imprisonment’s roughly 18-hour campaign features dozens of recognizable battlefields scattered across the ancient version of Tears of the Kingdom’s Hyrule. Players fight epic skirmishes in stunning locations like the golden Sky Islands and the eerie, monster-infested Depths.
"Age of Imprisonment is the best Hyrule Warriors has ever felt to play."
Despite the lack of story depth, the game successfully delivers engaging combat and strategic battles that highlight its strengths.
Author’s Summary: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment offers thrilling gameplay and iconic settings, but its weak narrative prevents it from fully capturing the rich history fans hoped for.