Series-best combat carried me through Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, but I think I'm done with the Breath of the Wild version of the Zelda universe

Series-Best Combat in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

The latest Zelda and Musou crossover heavily relies on fans' familiarity with the Zelda universe, but it delivers the best Warriors gameplay in years. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment marks the third collaboration between The Legend of Zelda and Koei Tecmo's Warriors franchise, and the developers have become truly adept at crafting these games, which follow a familiar formula.

Evolution of the Hyrule Warriors Series

Personally, the original Hyrule Warriors remains one of the most intriguing adaptations of the one-versus-many Musou genre. It used the Musou combat system as a solid base, layering Zelda's themes and lore on top, creating a compelling experience. This formula proved effective, with the Zelda aesthetic fitting more naturally with Warriors gameplay than other franchises like Fire Emblem or One Piece, enhancing the otherwise simple hack-and-slash action.

From Classic Zelda Imagery to Breath of the Wild's Worldview

While the first game incorporated Zelda elements from various eras, the 2020 release, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, took a different approach. It focused entirely on the world of Breath of the Wild, presenting a non-canonical alternate storyline based on that game's events.

"For my money, the first Hyrule Warriors was one of the most interesting takes on the one-versus-many Musou genre. It treated the Musou setup as a foundation, and then used the trappings and concepts of The Legend of Zelda as icing on that proven-tasty cake."

This installment’s blend of deep Zelda lore and refined combat mechanics stands out, although it may signal a conclusion to exploring the Breath of the Wild universe in this style.

Author's Summary

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment delivers the series' finest combat, brilliantly blending Zelda lore with Musou gameplay, but may mark the end of the Breath of the Wild-inspired adventures.

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Eurogamer Eurogamer — 2025-11-04

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