Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment raises a equivalent concept I had with its predecessor, Age of Calamity. Whilst the latter’s enjoyment depended, partially, on having performed Breath of the Wild, this newest access has a equivalent courting with Tears of the Kingdom. And if you happen to haven’t performed that recreation at the unique Transfer in 2023, you’ve more than likely performed it on Transfer 2 in 2025. Wherein case, you’re now not handiest prepped for Age of Imprisonment, however more than likely on the lookout for Zelda content material that’s really new.
This time, the Musou system (1 vs. 1,000 battles) is implemented to the Imprisoning Struggle. Whilst alluded to prior to now, the total tale of this has remained a thriller. So, lore fans must devour this all up, because it introduces a story to exchange fan theories. Age of Imprisonment is very similar to Age of Calamity in tactics. As a substitute of the time-traveling father or mother of its predecessor, now now we have Zelda herself going to the previous. Which means that that, amongst different issues, brief reminiscence cutscenes from Tears of the Kingdom get expanded on. Zelda’s lack of awareness at first might give an explanation for any seeming lapses in her reminiscences.
On the other hand, for each participant who places the plot at the vanguard, there’s some other who’s extra taken with gameplay—gameplay that may be comfortingly acquainted or apparently overwhelming, relying to your familiarity with this taste. Well, Age of Imprisonment keeps 4 problem choices. Even wiser, you aren’t locked into one. I discovered myself bumping the problem up or down relying at the challenge and if I used to be operating solo or now not. Green solo avid gamers might need to get started enjoying on simple mode to get a really feel for issues. In the meantime, a duo of veterans will unquestionably to find extra enjoyment enjoying on laborious mode. Each and every problem atmosphere has its personal native leaderboard, which is able to incentivize replay as you additional degree up allies.
Because the roster of playable characters grows, you find distinctive Sync Moves between the quite a lot of mixtures. Those tough assaults can flip the tide of fight, and it’s a large number of a laugh discovering your favorites and unleashing them at supreme occasions to pressure again Ganondorf’s forces. With this emphasis on “two allies operating in combination,” it does appear ordinary {that a} handful of missions pressure you to play them in single-player mode handiest. Frankly, the sport doesn’t do an efficient task in explaining why those circumstances happen, and it’s a sound complaint in a sea another way stuffed with compliments.
But even so Sync Moves, Zonai gadgets are some other new fight addition that turn out to be a large number of a laugh. It provides you with extra tactics to take down Ganondorf’s monster hordes for your battle to reclaim Hylian territory. (Sure, not like this recreation’s forged, I’ll by no means dignify him with the identify of “King.”) Sure ones are even useful past fight. The flame emitter and cannon, for example, can remove darkness from the shadowy depths. Simply be sure to have a battery price.
Talking of, but even so struggling with in Hyrule, the depths and the skies can also be your playground within the ever-growing maps. Whilst it’s thrilling to observe those fill and alter over the years, it does glance slightly sloppy. I favor the easy map of the unique Hyrule Warriors to those later icon-filled ones. However the locales above and underneath deliver some preferred graphical variety, with the gloomy darkness of the depths contrasting with the brilliant sky.
However for me, it’s the audio, now not the graphics, that’s the true spotlight. You’ll be able to get admission to a song participant within the recreation’s gallery (dozens upon dozens of tracks), and bet what I’m being attentive to as I kind this? The compositions can also be gorgeous, dramatic, disturbing, and extra, relying on the place you’re at. To not be overlooked are this recreation’s vocal performances. The solid is larger than ever, and the standout is Patricia Summersett as Princess Zelda. I’ve been combined on her previous performances, however right here she displays a variety of interest and pleasure in her new (but acquainted) atmosphere. I’m now not certain how a lot of this stems from the path and having extra consciousness of context, and what sort of comes from her merely rising into the nature in spite of everything those years. However kudos.
Going again to the visuals for a minute, I need to be transparent, I don’t suppose this recreation seems to be unhealthy in any respect. In the end, how may it? It’s in keeping with Tears of the Kingdom. Nevertheless it’s transparent that, with such a lot of fresh Zelda video games triggering vocal lawsuits, the emphasis right here used to be on a clean enjoy. There are not any efficiency as opposed to high quality choices, as we’ll see in Metroid Top 4. It might probably take a success if enjoying two-player break up display. Our most well-liked method used to be enjoying co-op by the use of recreation percentage classes. Nintendo wishes to prevent burying this selection and convey it to the vanguard. Enjoying this recreation with a pal on particular person monitors is what bumps this recreation from just right to nice.
Extras come with acquainted amiibo bonuses (even non-Zelda ones), save knowledge bonuses, and collectible Korok seeds. There’s lots to stay completionists going right here, particularly if you happen to experience each Zelda and Musou gameplay. When you could possibly beat the principle recreation in 20 hours, you’ll be able to simply double that if you happen to benefit from the whole thing that Age of Imprisonment has to provide. It’s content-filled, and if previous entries are any indicator, don’t be stunned if DLC follows sooner or later.
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 is going out on a top word, particularly when loved cooperatively. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is an entertaining access that can stay you busy right through the primary vacation season of the Transfer 2. Heck, full of content material and surprises, it’s one you’ll most likely go back to when the temper moves as neatly.
