Review: 'Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment' Offers Cathartic, If Mindless, Action
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment feels like fan fiction inspired by "Tears of the Kingdom," designed for adrenaline seekers. Despite its formulaic story and gameplay, the game’s cooperative mode and striking visual style make it enjoyable.
Gameplay and Experience
The game, released on Thursday, lacks subtlety with predictable plotlines but impresses with its high-quality animation. Unlike the open-world exploration, puzzles, and combat mix found in traditional The Legend of Zelda games, especially on the Nintendo Switch, this spinoff focuses almost exclusively on nonstop action.
The Hyrule Warriors series dials combat intensity to the maximum, trading thoughtful game design for loud battles and flashy special moves. For some, this simpler, more straightforward gameplay can be a welcome escape.
Personal Perspective
“I’ve never quite clicked with such ‘musou’ fare before, but this game sweeps through my overtired mind like a cool breeze.”
As a new father, the reviewer finds Age of Imprisonment fits better into a busy, sleep-deprived life than more demanding games, with battle sessions lasting between four and twenty minutes. This makes it accessible for short play periods.
Overall Impression
Don’t expect much depth or narrative surprises. This game shares more similarities with the simple horde-style gameplay of Vampire Survivors than the depth of the main Zelda series. In this sense, Age of Imprisonment feels like fan fiction rather than a true extension of its storied franchise.
Would you like the review to be framed more formally or casually?