THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: HYRULE WARRIORS REVIEW

 

I just refinished the Legend Mode of Hyrule Warriors and I want to put my thoughts about the game out there. Also I want to note that I played the 3DS version while I have all the DLCs of the game.

 

Also I will comment mostly on the Legend Mode. Adventure Mode is a whole different game which always is a plus to the whole "Hyrule Warriors" expirience.

 

First I wanna start with the things I liked about the game:

1. It's the first time we see warfare in Zelda gameplay. Other times is either hinted it's happening (f.e. Twilight invasion in Twilight Princess) or it's just history that you learn about via reading or talking to NPCs.

2. The new antagonists, Cia, Volga and Wizzro are great and fresh characters to Zelda lore. Their backstory seems interesting with Cia being a witch that oversees the balance of the world, Volga being the leader of Lizalfos and can transform into a dragon and Wizzro who is a Wizzrobe-Poe that lives inside a cursed Blue Ring that was forgotten in the Eldin Mines.

3. I loved Linkle and her view of the war. She's a carefree girl that believes she's the reincarnation of the Hero although in that world, there is already one. Even though she isn't the Hero's reincarnation, it is hinted that she is someone important, since her compass (which was a family heirloom) was glowing every time something important was about to happen. And yes I prefer a game with Linkle being the protagonist than one that Princess Zelda is the main character. NINTENDO MAKE IT HAPPEN

4. The battles and missions were all interesting and served well the whole "Hyrule at war" storytelling. Of course there were some edgy moments but they are forgivable overall.

5. There are totally 32 main campaign battles, which are more than enough to keep you busy up to 10+ hours if you are new to the game. If you replay the campaign, it may take you less.

6. The Boss fights are impressive for what they are. Sure if you play the 3DS mode they look like a bit unpolished, but if you can play the game at a home console you will love every boss battle of the campaign and there are more than enough.

7. Playing as Ganondorf at some point. That is all.

8. The levelling up system and the weapon upgrades for the characters is such a unique and interesting aspect for a Zelda game. Although technically you have to play the Adventure mode to unlock some of them, it really feels amazing to see all the weapons of the availiable characters.

 

Now for the things that need improvements:

1. The story has lots of plotholes. I mean things could be presented differently and the whole thing could work. For example the Great Sea Saga, isn't so important. Yeah, it looks good, but storytelling-wise, it shouldn't be there. And if it had to be, there must be a better way to present it.

2. There is some kind of repetition in some missions. Like "Go to place A, kill this guy, now go to place B, kill the other guy, now capture those keeps.... blah blah blah, you win". I would prefer that players could have more than one way to win a battle. Rely on their own skills and finish the mission with some other way, than always following the instructions that are presented to you in the bottom of the screen.

3. Since you are bringing warfare to Zelda, bring all the other countries we have seen through the games. Termina, Labrynna, Holodrun, Hytopia even Great Sea. You may say "but they are not in the same timeline, how would this work?". Well as I said to an another post I made a few days ago, I think Hyrule Warriors can unify the three-way split Timeline into one. From just being a spin-off game, Zelda franchise could use it as a turning point of the Zelda Universe. In my personal opinion, it still kinda does.

 

So is Hyrule Warriors a Good game? Well it's a fun game, but not in the traditional "Zelda Way". I really have fun every time I set on to complete the Legend Mode of the game. It is entertaining, and it's really good for small play-sessions in your day since a battle can last around 15-20 minutes.

 

At the end of the War, my Warrior's Log was looking like this:

24 Light Side Battles: 37.089 enemies killed - 317.325 Rupees looted and Defeated: 2 King Dodongos, 3 Gohma, 2 Manhandla, 3 Argoroks, 1 Imprisoned, 9 Dark Links, 1 Beast Ganon, 1 Dark King Dodongo, 1 Helmanroc King and 1 Phantom Ganon.

8 Dark Side Battles: 13.781 enemies killed - 59.729 Rupees looted and Defeated: 3 King Dodongos, 1 Argorok, 1 Imprisoned, 3 Gohmas and 2 Manhandlas.