The Last Dance of Breath of the Wild's Hyrule? Age of Imprisonment's Combat is Pure Magic, But My Brain's Ready for New Spells.
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Alex Donaldson's review of *Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment* reveals a game with absolutely brilliant, genre-best combat that thoughtfully integrates *Tears of the Kingdom*'s mechanics, even running smoothly on the new Switch 2. However, the story, a canonical dive into the *Breath of the Wild* era, might just be a bridge too far for those (like me!) ready for new Zelda adventures.
Originally published by Alex Donaldson on Eurogamer, November 4, 2025, under the title "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."
Right, so here we are again, staring down another *Hyrule Warriors* game. You know that feeling when you've cast the same spell a few times, and it works, but you just start wondering if there are any *new* incantations to learn? That’s kind of the vibe I'm getting with *Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment*. Alex Donaldson over at Eurogamer just dropped his thoughts on this latest hack-and-slash extravaganza, and what he’s found is a fascinating mix of genre-best combat and a lingering question: just how much more *Breath of the Wild* flavour can we take?
This isn't Koei Tecmo’s first rodeo with our beloved Hyrule. This is the third time The Legend of Zelda has taken a detour into the glorious chaos of the Musou genre, and fair dinkum, they've become remarkably good at it. The first *Hyrule Warriors* was a genuine surprise – a wild mash-up of Zelda lore from across the ages, proving that Link and his pals could perfectly elevate the simple, brain-off fun of a one-versus-many brawler. Then came *Age of Calamity*, which dialed into the *Breath of the Wild* universe, giving us a non-canonical peek at events surrounding the Great Calamity. Now, with *Age of Imprisonment*, we’re diving even deeper, supposedly filling in *canonical* gaps in *Tears of the Kingdom*'s backstory, specifically Zelda's journey through ancient Hyrule and a fresh take on 'The Imprisoning War'. Oh, and a quick wizard's whisper: this one's hitting the Nintendo Switch 2. A proper launch title, perhaps? That's a bit of digital tea leaf reading I can get behind.
Now, about that story. Donaldson picks up on something I reckon a few of us have been feeling. While it’s positioned as a canonical deep dive into *Tears of the Kingdom*'s past, particularly focusing on Zelda's leadership and characters like King Rauru and Queen Sonia, there's a certain... inevitability to it all. We already know the broad strokes from *Tears of Kingdom*, don't we? So, how much emotional investment can you truly muster for characters whose fates are, well, already sealed in the future you've played through?
Alex admits it didn't quite click for him, even if it's "fine" and one of the most in-depth narratives Hyrule has ever seen. And here’s where my inner digital wizard starts nodding furiously. He says he's "done" with the *Breath of the Wild* version of the Zelda universe, ready for the series to, as it often does, tackle entirely new pastures. *Tears of the Kingdom* felt like a perfectly fine coda for that era of Link, Zelda, and Hyrule. And honestly, I get it. As much as I adore the open-world wonder and physics-defying shenanigans, even magic can get a bit predictable if you keep casting the same spell.
The game tries something a bit different with its storytelling, apparently breaking with Zelda’s usual hands-off tradition, offering more cinematic moments and chatter. But what does that really mean when the game *looks* identical to *Breath of the Wild* and *Tears of the Kingdom*? Donaldson brilliantly nails it, calling these calmer, story-driven moments "the glorious vibe of the world's most expensive romhack." Bloody hell, that's spot on! It's like finding a meticulously crafted fan-fiction suddenly inserted into a mainline game – impressive, yes, but also a touch… uncanny.
But fear not, fellow adventurers! While the narrative might be treading familiar ground, *Age of Imprisonment* has a serious ace up its tunic sleeve: the combat. Alex Donaldson declares it "the most expansive and satisfying Musou cross-over spin-off ever," and "the best one of these games has ever been." Now, that's not just hype, that's a genuine discovery of gameplay wizardry. This isn't just a re-skin; it's a thoughtful evolution of *Tears of the Kingdom*'s core mechanics translated into the Warriors format.
And this is where the tech-wizard in me gets genuinely stoked. Remember all those wild Zonai Devices in *Tears of Kingdom*? Well, they've been magically woven into the combat here. You can equip them to your warrior of choice, unleashing unique special moves and elemental effects. Think flamethrowers scorching hordes, gushing water hydrants sweeping enemies away, or even using them for minor battlefield puzzles and crowd control. It’s not just about mashing buttons; you're thinking tactically about elemental weaknesses, character pairings for "sync strike attacks," and even managing a "Battery" resource. This isn't just more button mashing; it's *smarter* button mashing, layering on complexity that genuinely enhances the Musou experience. This is technology *serving* the player, making the core loop richer and more engaging. It’s a proper build-up of systems that make the default Warriors offering far more satisfying. And a truly good decision from a big studio (or its development partner, Koei Tecmo) in my book!
And get this – the game *runs well*. I know, I know. It's almost unheard of for a Warriors title, especially when you've got hundreds of troops bouncing around like digital ping-pong balls. Donaldson notes a solid, high frame rate, which, frankly, is a minor miracle. Was it originally a Switch 1 game that found a new home on the more powerful Switch 2? Or did they just finally crack the optimization code? Whatever the reason, it's brilliant. It's like casting a visually spectacular spell and *not* having it tank your frame rate. A true win for player experience, that.
Ultimately, *Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment* sounds like a fascinating paradox. On one hand, it's the pinnacle of Musou gameplay, taking the "turn your brain off and smash a few thousand enemies" fun of the genre and injecting it with a substantial dose of Zelda's modern mechanical genius. It's popcorn action, yes, but with gourmet toppings. On the other hand, the story, while well-intended and Zelda-centric, might just be proof that even the most beloved universes can start to feel a little… stretched.
Perhaps that's the nature of these games – the story is merely the backdrop for the glorious, chaotic dance of combat. And in that regard, *Age of Imprisonment* delivers a show that's more dazzling than ever. While my brain might be itching for a new adventure outside the *Breath of the Wild* realm, my hacking hands are definitely intrigued by the wizardry on display here. It just goes to show, sometimes you find the real magic not in the grand narrative, but in the sheer joy of a perfectly executed combo.
Tags: Hyrule Warriors, Zelda, Musou, Nintendo Switch 2, Game Review
Original article: Eurogamer