Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment raises an identical 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 an identical relationship with Tears of the Kingdom. And if you happen to haven’t performed that sport on the unique Swap in 2023, you’ve most likely performed it on Swap 2 in 2025. During 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 formulation (1 vs. 1,000 battles) is utilized to the Imprisoning Struggle. 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 exchange 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 now have 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 at first 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 type. Well, 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 taking part in on straightforward mode to get a really feel for issues. In the meantime, a duo of veterans will certainly discover extra enjoyment taking part in on arduous mode. Every issue setting has its personal native leaderboard, which may incentivize replay as you additional stage up allies.
Because the roster of playable characters grows, you uncover distinctive Sync Strikes between the varied combos. These highly effective assaults can flip the tide of battle, and it’s a whole lot of enjoyable discovering your favorites and unleashing them at excellent instances to drive again Ganondorf’s forces. With this emphasis on “two allies working collectively,” it does appear odd {that a} handful of missions drive you to play them in single-player mode solely. Frankly, the sport doesn’t do an efficient job in explaining why these situations happen, and it’s a legitimate criticism in a sea in any other case crammed with compliments.
Moreover Sync Strikes, Zonai gadgets are one other new battle addition that show to be a whole lot of enjoyable. It provides you extra methods to take down Ganondorf’s monster hordes in your struggle to reclaim Hylian territory. (Sure, not like this sport’s forged, I’ll by no means dignify him with the title of “King.”) Sure ones are even useful past battle. The flame emitter and cannon, for example, can mild up the shadowy depths. Simply be sure you have a battery cost.
Talking of, apart from battling in Hyrule, the depths and the skies can even be your playground within the ever-growing maps. Whereas it’s thrilling to observe these fill and alter over time, it does look a bit sloppy. I choose the simple map of the unique Hyrule Warriors to those later icon-filled ones. However the locales above and under deliver some appreciated graphical range, 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 actual 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 will 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 forged is greater 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) setting. I’m unsure how a lot of this stems from the route and having extra consciousness of context, and the way a lot comes from her merely rising into the character in spite of everything these years. However kudos.
Going again to the visuals for a minute, I wish to be clear, I don’t assume this sport appears dangerous by any means. In any case, how might it? It’s based mostly on Tears of the Kingdom. However it’s clear that, with so many latest Zelda video games triggering vocal complaints, the emphasis right here was on a easy expertise. There are not any efficiency versus high quality choices, as we’ll see in Metroid Prime 4. It may possibly take a success if taking part in two-player cut up display screen. Our most popular means was taking part in co-op through sport share periods. Nintendo must cease burying this characteristic and produce it to the forefront. Enjoying this sport with a pal on particular person screens is what bumps this sport from good to nice.
Extras embody acquainted amiibo bonuses (even non-Zelda ones), save information bonuses, and collectible Korok seeds. There’s a lot to maintain completionists going right here, particularly if you happen to get pleasure from each Zelda and Musou gameplay. When you may be capable of beat the primary sport in 20 hours, you’ll be able to simply double that if you happen to benefit from every thing 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 throughout the first vacation season of the Swap 2. Heck, full of content material and surprises, it’s one you’ll seemingly return to when the temper strikes as properly.
