FA+
Shop
"The Jet Gamer" Game Review: Hyrule Warriors
10 years ago
I figured I would go ahead and review this game now since I'm pretty much done and about to get a bunch of new things tomorrow for my collection and to begin playing. I've been enjoying this game for a good while now, so I figure I would go ahead and do the review now, because after Christmas, I'm going to be busy gaming or working.
Hyrule Warriors
Now here is a unique twist. Nintendo giving one of their series to another company to mix it with that other companies series. It's not something that you get often with Nintendo, but in this case, it is looking to be a good thing that they did let Tecmo/koei use the Legend of Zelda series to mix it in with their Warriors series. And in the end, we get the new fusion game, Hyrule Warriors. What is it like? Read below to find out.
Gameplay
Hyrule Warriors gameplay is pretty much what you would expect from a warriors series game. Yes, it has a Zelda theme, but it is pretty much just Dynasty Warriors with legend of zelda skins over them. If you have played a Dynasty Warriors game, you have played something similar to Hyrule Warriors. There are some new elements to the game, but they are few. It is pretty much what you do in the other games, where you run around attacking the officers and capturing bases, which not all warriors games have, but there are several that do have it. The big key thing here is if you like this gameplay type or not. If you enjoy warriors type gameplay, then you will love hyrule warriors and its hack-n slash gameplay. If you aren't a fan of that gameplay type however, this is a game that should likely be avoided. This isn't the zelda game for everyone, but if you like this style of gameplay, get it immediately. There just isn't a whole lot new from a warriors game standpoint.
Story
This is where I sort of think the game both hits and misses. The story for Hyrule Warriors is pretty typical for a Zelda game, where you are the good guys, and you must stop the bad guys from taking over Hyrule. Nothing really new here, but it works very well. Everyone talks through text boxes in the game and it plays exactly as you would expect a Zelda story to play out pretty much. The big downside I feel with the story is the fact it is so short and you will likely clear it in a couple of plays as there aren't exactly a ton of levels to play through. The number of maps aren't that high either so you see the same levels many times. You will be spending most of your time in other modes, so don't expect to be playing this game for a very long lasting story. It is a decent story, just not a long lasting one.
Graphics
What do you expect from a Warriors game. The game has pretty good cutscenes during the battle, and after battles that look very nice when it comes to story time. During battle, you run around nice looking battlefields looking your surroundings, though there aren't exactly a ton of things in the area other than the bases you run between and the battle grounds. You as always can see hundreds of enemies on screen at any time when you are in crowded areas. Slowdown is actually not seen that often in this game either compared to some other Warriors game, so that is definitely a plus there. I saw very little slow down, though there was some, it was so rare that it was pretty much something you should never have to worry about. While there isn't exactly a ton of things around, the graphics do a decent enough job showing and describing what they should to convince you are where you are.
Sound
Hyrule Warriors delivers in the sound department pretty well as you get a mix of both Zelda sounding music and Warriors music. You have music that comes from the Zelda games with slight remixes to them, while the Warriors sounding music is the typical hard metal rock music. You will in time begin to start humming some of these tunes as you play as they are catchy and do just what they should do, give you something nice or rocking to listen to as you fight these large battles with hordes of enemies. You could say there may need to be more variety in some of the music, but there is enough there to keep you fully entertained music wise for a good while.
Control
This is one of those games where you can't really blame the control when something happens. Some characters are just easier to control than others are. Some characters are slow, some are powerful, some are all over the place. If you end up messing up and getting hit, most of the time in this game, it is going to be your fault for not guarding or attacking as you should to avoid damage. I don't think I ever had any problem with the controls in this game. Switching special weapons takes some time to get used to occasionally, but once you are used to it, you barely notice it anymore. I would say the controls are nearly perfect for this game.
Replay Value
Hyrule Warriors really shines in the area of replay value as there is just so much to do in the game. Yes, the game has a short story mode, but then there is adventure mode where you play through a large map in the shape of the original legend of the zelda for the NES, where each and every square is another challenge for you to take on with the various warriors from the game, as well as other warriors you can unlock as well. There is even lots of other maps and characters you can get through DLC to extend the game even further. I haven't gotten the DLC myself, but from what I see, there is still quite a bit to play in the future in case I ever do so. IF you want a game that you can play for weeks on end and feel you got your money's worth, this is it. You will be playing for quite a long time.
Overall, Hyrule Warriors is a great example of what can happen when Nintendo allows someone else a shot with one of their series, and puts the time and effort into making it work in a universe that makes sense. The Legend of Zelda series definitely works in the warriors style of gameplay and I could definitely see another one being made if this game sold well. If you enjoy both the warriors series and the legend of zelda series, it is at least worth trying out. Who knows, you may be a fan of one or the other and find you enjoy one of the other series as well and end up expanding your gaming library even further by finding other series you enjoy. In the end, this is a great crossover and one that is definitely worth a try if you like hacking and slashing large amounts of enemies while trying to save Hyrule from evil.
Overall, in my opinion at least, I give Hyrule Warriors a nine out of ten.
Gameplay:8
Story: 7
Graphics: 9
Sound: 10
Control: 10
Replay Value: 10
Overall: 9
Hyrule Warriors
Now here is a unique twist. Nintendo giving one of their series to another company to mix it with that other companies series. It's not something that you get often with Nintendo, but in this case, it is looking to be a good thing that they did let Tecmo/koei use the Legend of Zelda series to mix it in with their Warriors series. And in the end, we get the new fusion game, Hyrule Warriors. What is it like? Read below to find out.
Gameplay
Hyrule Warriors gameplay is pretty much what you would expect from a warriors series game. Yes, it has a Zelda theme, but it is pretty much just Dynasty Warriors with legend of zelda skins over them. If you have played a Dynasty Warriors game, you have played something similar to Hyrule Warriors. There are some new elements to the game, but they are few. It is pretty much what you do in the other games, where you run around attacking the officers and capturing bases, which not all warriors games have, but there are several that do have it. The big key thing here is if you like this gameplay type or not. If you enjoy warriors type gameplay, then you will love hyrule warriors and its hack-n slash gameplay. If you aren't a fan of that gameplay type however, this is a game that should likely be avoided. This isn't the zelda game for everyone, but if you like this style of gameplay, get it immediately. There just isn't a whole lot new from a warriors game standpoint.
Story
This is where I sort of think the game both hits and misses. The story for Hyrule Warriors is pretty typical for a Zelda game, where you are the good guys, and you must stop the bad guys from taking over Hyrule. Nothing really new here, but it works very well. Everyone talks through text boxes in the game and it plays exactly as you would expect a Zelda story to play out pretty much. The big downside I feel with the story is the fact it is so short and you will likely clear it in a couple of plays as there aren't exactly a ton of levels to play through. The number of maps aren't that high either so you see the same levels many times. You will be spending most of your time in other modes, so don't expect to be playing this game for a very long lasting story. It is a decent story, just not a long lasting one.
Graphics
What do you expect from a Warriors game. The game has pretty good cutscenes during the battle, and after battles that look very nice when it comes to story time. During battle, you run around nice looking battlefields looking your surroundings, though there aren't exactly a ton of things in the area other than the bases you run between and the battle grounds. You as always can see hundreds of enemies on screen at any time when you are in crowded areas. Slowdown is actually not seen that often in this game either compared to some other Warriors game, so that is definitely a plus there. I saw very little slow down, though there was some, it was so rare that it was pretty much something you should never have to worry about. While there isn't exactly a ton of things around, the graphics do a decent enough job showing and describing what they should to convince you are where you are.
Sound
Hyrule Warriors delivers in the sound department pretty well as you get a mix of both Zelda sounding music and Warriors music. You have music that comes from the Zelda games with slight remixes to them, while the Warriors sounding music is the typical hard metal rock music. You will in time begin to start humming some of these tunes as you play as they are catchy and do just what they should do, give you something nice or rocking to listen to as you fight these large battles with hordes of enemies. You could say there may need to be more variety in some of the music, but there is enough there to keep you fully entertained music wise for a good while.
Control
This is one of those games where you can't really blame the control when something happens. Some characters are just easier to control than others are. Some characters are slow, some are powerful, some are all over the place. If you end up messing up and getting hit, most of the time in this game, it is going to be your fault for not guarding or attacking as you should to avoid damage. I don't think I ever had any problem with the controls in this game. Switching special weapons takes some time to get used to occasionally, but once you are used to it, you barely notice it anymore. I would say the controls are nearly perfect for this game.
Replay Value
Hyrule Warriors really shines in the area of replay value as there is just so much to do in the game. Yes, the game has a short story mode, but then there is adventure mode where you play through a large map in the shape of the original legend of the zelda for the NES, where each and every square is another challenge for you to take on with the various warriors from the game, as well as other warriors you can unlock as well. There is even lots of other maps and characters you can get through DLC to extend the game even further. I haven't gotten the DLC myself, but from what I see, there is still quite a bit to play in the future in case I ever do so. IF you want a game that you can play for weeks on end and feel you got your money's worth, this is it. You will be playing for quite a long time.
Overall, Hyrule Warriors is a great example of what can happen when Nintendo allows someone else a shot with one of their series, and puts the time and effort into making it work in a universe that makes sense. The Legend of Zelda series definitely works in the warriors style of gameplay and I could definitely see another one being made if this game sold well. If you enjoy both the warriors series and the legend of zelda series, it is at least worth trying out. Who knows, you may be a fan of one or the other and find you enjoy one of the other series as well and end up expanding your gaming library even further by finding other series you enjoy. In the end, this is a great crossover and one that is definitely worth a try if you like hacking and slashing large amounts of enemies while trying to save Hyrule from evil.
Overall, in my opinion at least, I give Hyrule Warriors a nine out of ten.
Gameplay:8
Story: 7
Graphics: 9
Sound: 10
Control: 10
Replay Value: 10
Overall: 9
