Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment raises the same thought I had with its predecessor, Age of Calamity. Whereas the latter’s enjoyment depended, partly, on having performed Breath of the Wild, this newest entry has the same relationship with Tears of the Kingdom. And in case you haven’t performed that sport on the unique Change in 2023, you’ve most likely performed it on Change 2 in 2025. Through which case, you’re not solely prepped for Age of Imprisonment, however most likely in search of Zelda content material that’s genuinely new.
This time, the Musou components (1 vs. 1,000 battles) is utilized to the Imprisoning Warfare. Whereas alluded to beforehand, the general story of this has remained a thriller. So, lore fanatics ought to eat this all up, because it introduces a story to interchange fan theories. Age of Imprisonment is just like Age of Calamity in methods. As a substitute of the time-traveling guardian of its predecessor, now we’ve Zelda herself going to the previous. Which implies that, amongst different issues, brief reminiscence cutscenes from Tears of the Kingdom get expanded on. Zelda’s lack of consciousness firstly might clarify any seeming lapses in her recollections.
Nevertheless, for each participant who places the plot on the forefront, there’s one other who’s extra targeted on gameplay—gameplay that may be comfortingly acquainted or seemingly overwhelming, relying in your familiarity with this model. Neatly, Age of Imprisonment retains 4 issue choices. Even wiser, you aren’t locked into one. I discovered myself bumping the problem up or down relying on the mission and if I used to be working solo or not. Inexperienced solo gamers might wish to begin enjoying on simple mode to get a really feel for issues. In the meantime, a duo of veterans will certainly discover extra enjoyment enjoying on exhausting mode. Every issue setting has its personal native leaderboard, which might incentivize replay as you additional stage up allies.
Because the roster of playable characters grows, you uncover distinctive Sync Strikes between the assorted combos. These highly effective assaults can flip the tide of battle, and it’s loads of enjoyable discovering your favorites and unleashing them at very best occasions to drive again Ganondorf’s forces. With this emphasis on “two allies working collectively,” it does appear odd {that a} handful of missions pressure you to play them in single-player mode solely. Frankly, the sport doesn’t do an efficient job in explaining why these cases happen, and it’s a sound criticism in a sea in any other case crammed with compliments.
In addition to Sync Strikes, Zonai gadgets are one other new battle addition that show to be loads of enjoyable. It provides you extra methods to take down Ganondorf’s monster hordes in your battle to reclaim Hylian territory. (Sure, not like this sport’s solid, I’ll by no means dignify him with the title of “King.”) Sure ones are even useful past battle. The flame emitter and cannon, as an example, can mild up the shadowy depths. Simply ensure you have a battery cost.
Talking of, moreover battling in Hyrule, the depths and the skies can even be your playground within the ever-growing maps. Whereas it’s thrilling to look at these fill and alter over time, it does look a bit sloppy. I choose the easy map of the unique Hyrule Warriors to those later icon-filled ones. However the locales above and beneath convey some appreciated graphical variety, with the gloomy darkness of the depths contrasting with the brilliant sky.
However for me, it’s the audio, not the graphics, that’s the true spotlight. You’ll be able to entry a music participant within the sport’s gallery (dozens upon dozens of tracks), and guess what I’m listening to as I sort this? The compositions may be lovely, dramatic, tense, and extra, relying on the place you’re at. To not be uncared for are this sport’s vocal performances. The solid is larger than ever, and the standout is Patricia Summersett as Princess Zelda. I’ve been blended on her previous performances, however right here she exhibits a variety of curiosity and pleasure in her new (but acquainted) atmosphere. I’m undecided how a lot of this stems from the path and having extra consciousness of context, and the way a lot comes from her merely rising into the character in any case these years. However kudos.
Going again to the visuals for a minute, I wish to be clear, I don’t assume this sport seems to be unhealthy by any means. In any case, how might it? It’s based mostly on Tears of the Kingdom. But it surely’s clear that, with so many latest Zelda video games triggering vocal complaints, the emphasis right here was on a clean expertise. There aren’t any efficiency versus high quality choices, as we’ll see in Metroid Prime 4. It will possibly take successful if enjoying two-player cut up display. Our most popular method was enjoying co-op by way of sport share classes. Nintendo must cease burying this function and produce it to the forefront. Taking part in this sport with a good friend on particular person screens is what bumps this sport from good to nice.
Extras embrace acquainted amiibo bonuses (even non-Zelda ones), save knowledge bonuses, and collectible Korok seeds. There’s a lot to maintain completionists going right here, particularly in case you get pleasure from each Zelda and Musou gameplay. Whilst you would possibly be capable of beat the principle sport in 20 hours, you possibly can simply double that in case you reap the benefits of all the pieces that Age of Imprisonment has to supply. It’s content-filled, and if previous entries are any indicator, don’t be shocked if DLC follows in some unspecified time in the future.
Who is aware of how for much longer this model of Hyrule (that began in Breath of the Wild) will proceed? If that is the tip, it goes out on a excessive be aware, particularly when loved cooperatively. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is an entertaining entry that can maintain you busy through the first vacation season of the Change 2. Heck, full of content material and surprises, it’s one you’ll possible return to when the temper strikes as nicely.
