Series-Best Combat in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
The latest Zelda and Musou crossover, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, relies heavily on fans' familiarity with Zelda lore while delivering some of the best Warriors gameplay in recent years. Fans likely know what to expect, as this is the third collaboration between The Legend of Zelda and Koei Tecmo's Warriors franchise.
Both partners have become highly skilled at developing these games, which follow a familiar formula. The original Hyrule Warriors remains one of the most compelling takes on the one-versus-many Musou genre. It used the Musou gameplay as a solid base and layered Zelda’s elements on top, making for a highly engaging experience.
Zelda and Warriors Franchise Synergy
This formula proved effective because Zelda’s themes fit better with the Warriors-style gameplay than other franchises like Fire Emblem or One Piece. The Zelda setting enhanced the straightforward, fast-paced hack-and-slash battles, adding depth and appeal.
The first game combined Zelda imagery from multiple decades, while 2020's Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity focused specifically on the perspective of Breath of the Wild. It presented a non-canon alternative universe based on the events of that game.
The first Hyrule Warriors "treated the Musou setup as a foundation, and then used the trappings and concepts of The Legend of Zelda as icing on that proven-tasty cake."
The Zelda trappings "meshed better with Warriors than the likes of Fire Emblem or One Piece, ultimately serving to elevate the deliberately simplistic and junk foodian nature of the hack-and-slash battles."
Summary
The combat in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment stands out as the best in the series, but the Breath of the Wild iteration seems to have reached its limits in exploring the Zelda universe within this crossover format.
Author's Note: This crossover exemplifies how well Zelda’s lore enriches the Warriors gameplay, though its iteration tied to Breath of the Wild feels like a concluding chapter.
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