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
The most recent Zelda and Musou crossover relies heavily on your familiarity with Zelda lore, yet its core delivers some of the strongest warriors gameplay seen in years. Anyone approaching Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment likely knows what to expect from this collaboration.
This marks the third crossover between The Legend of Zelda and Koei Tecmo’s Warriors series. Over time, the partnership has refined the formula, crafting games that feel confident in their identity while embracing the familiar chaos of Musou combat. In my view, the first Hyrule Warriors stood out as one of the most creative spins on the one-versus-many genre.
That debut treated the Musou structure as the base, layering the signature elements and themes of The Legend of Zelda on top like icing on a well-tested recipe. The formula turned out surprisingly effective, blending Zelda’s charm with Warriors’ large-scale battles more successfully than other crossover attempts like Fire Emblem or One Piece. The result made the intentionally simple, fast-paced hack-and-slash action more captivating.
While the first game combined imagery and influences from across Zelda’s history, 2020’s Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity took a more focused route. It anchored itself in the universe of Breath of the Wild, reimagining that world’s events in a non-canonical alternate timeline.
“At its heart is the best warriors gameplay in years.”
Author’s Summary: A rich mix of Zelda charm and polished Musou gameplay defines Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, but the Breath of the Wild era feels ready for rest.