Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Review - Link to the Past
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment represents a significant evolution for the spin-off series, enhancing its fast-paced hack-and-slash gameplay with greater depth and variety despite a few drawbacks.
Background and Series Context
Over the years, the Dynasty Warriors franchise has spawned numerous spin-offs, including anime adaptations like Gundam, Berserk, and One Piece, as well as game collaborations with titles such as Persona and Fire Emblem. Among these, the 2014 crossover Hyrule Warriors and its sequel, Age of Calamity, remain the most beloved due to their unique blend of Omega Force's intense combat and The Legend of Zelda's iconic characters, worlds, and enemies.
New Developments in Age of Imprisonment
With Age of Imprisonment, the connection between the two franchises deepens further, making it feel more like a fresh Zelda installment than a traditional musou spin-off. Although it has imperfections and may not sway players previously uninterested in the genre, it offers substantial improvements over past entries.
Game Story
The story is the clearest example of how both series are intricately intertwined in this release.
“It's not without its faults and is unlikely to convert anyone unconvinced by this style of game already, but Age of Imprisonment improves upon its predecessors in numerous ways.”
By Richard Wakeling, November 4, 2025
Author's Summary
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment successfully evolves the series with richer gameplay and a stronger Zelda connection, despite minor flaws and limited appeal for newcomers.
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