Koei Tecmo and Nintendo have developed a musou game focusing on Princess Zelda. This title serves as a canonical companion to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, captivating fans since its announcement.
Nintendo entrusted Koei Tecmo to explore the tragic yet fascinating Imprisoning War. The game names and further develops characters who previously appeared only briefly in flashbacks. This challenge aimed to either broaden a strong narrative or risk diluting a mystery better left untold.
The result is balanced: the musou sequel offers exciting combat, emotional characters, and a story that contrasts the original game’s melancholy with a playful and self-aware tone.
While Age of Imprisonment cannot fully avoid repetitive gameplay typical of the musou genre—defeating countless enemies repeatedly—it compensates with diverse gameplay within that repetition and an emotionally engaging story. Knowing the outcome didn't lessen the story's impact.
The game begins immediately after Zelda is mysteriously sent back in time at the start of Tears of the Kingdom.
Koei Tecmo has been entrusted by Nintendo to flesh out the events of the tragic yet fascinating Imprisoning War, while simultaneously naming and developing characters who were previously only ever glimpsed through brief flashbacks.
Author's summary: Age of Imprisonment enriches the Zelda universe by combining emotional storytelling and engaging combat, expanding on a part of the lore that was once only hinted at.