Nintendo
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, the musou game that complements the canon of Tears of the Kingdom
Koei Tecmo’s return takes us back to the past of Tears of the Kingdom with a canonical story, flawless technical performance, and Princess Zelda as the protagonist.
Nintendo’s strategy to expand The Legend of Zelda universe through Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, a Musou (mass action) genre title, seems very wise to me. After playing this installment, I was left with a feeling of satisfaction, as it feels like something original and refreshing on the Nintendo Switch 2. Not only is it a game full of frenzy and epic battles, but it is also a narrative piece of the franchise.
This title, developed by Koei Tecmo, delves into Hyrule’s past, just as Princess Zelda travels through time, making this storyline part of the saga’s canon.
The ultimate goal of this installment is to tell us the other side of the story of Tears of the Kingdom. The plot begins with Zelda being transported to ancient times, along with Rauru and Mineru, to later join the fight against Ganon and, in the process, be able to return to her own time. One thing that stands out is Princess Zelda’s prominence, as she plays the leading role, adding even more lore to the mythology of the series.
Zonai Technology in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
The integration of elements from Tears of the Kingdom, such as bombs, flamethrowers, and other devices during battles, is striking, adding greater dynamism to the game. It is important to note that these weapons consume battery power, which forces us to manage their use strategically and intelligently depending on each character’s abilities.
The combat has all the elements of the Musou genre, with tutorials that guide us through learning how to use attacks—strong, weak, special, dual combos, and finishing moves. The variety of characters is a central theme, as each one has distinctive moves that we will have to master if we don’t want to suffer during battles. Something we really liked is the use of special moves to counter the strongest moves of our enemies. Evasive moves and a kind of perfect dodge that allows us to apply counterattacks, very much in the style of Zelda games, are also integrated.
Visually well done
The game maintains a good frame rate, and the animations are very well done. In fact, it really feels like a peripheral adventure of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Sound
It is worth noting that the soundtrack is very well done and makes the story sequences memorable.
It is important to note that the game can be played cooperatively or with a split screen, which adds a welcome social element and longevity. However, it also has a Game Share feature, which allows you to enjoy the game on two consoles with a single digital copy.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is more than just a spin-off; it is a narrative expansion that fans of Zelda lore will appreciate. For those who are not such big fans, it is also a good game that can be enjoyed without having played The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, as it has all the elements of a good game: fast-paced combat, good visuals, and a great narrative centered on Zelda, something that undoubtedly makes a difference.
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