Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Imprisonment is a Zelda spin-off that pits princess against monsters. It’s carnage – in the best possible way, says our critic

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Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Imprisonment (Nintendo Switch, £58.99)

Verdict: War, war not jaw, jaw

As a lifelong Zelda fan, I’ve always felt the games tapped into something really special – that feeling of being a kid again, exploring the woods, poking around in caves, and just generally getting lost in the wonder of discovery. It’s like Nintendo bottled up that childhood sense of adventure and put it right into the games!

The Dynasty Warriors series was born from a desire to whack hundreds of baddies at once.

What happens when you mix the two?

We’ve actually known the answer to that question for some time. The Hyrule Warriors series, which combines the world of Zelda with the fast-paced, action-packed gameplay of Dynasty Warriors, began in 2014. This latest installment, Age of Imprisonment, is the third game in the series.

It’s not surprising this cocktail tastes really good! However, it also has a unique flavor.

It’s not immediately clear, but Age of Imprisonment plays a lot like the previous Hyrule Warriors game. It’s a prequel to the latest Zelda title, Tears of the Kingdom, taking you back 1,000 years to the Imprisoning War – an event only briefly touched upon in Tears of the Kingdom. You play as Princess Zelda during this conflict.

This game is action-packed, like a real battle! You’ll be fighting constantly against huge numbers of enemies – sometimes hundreds appear on screen at the same time. A single attack can send many of them scattering.

If this seems like simple fun, think again. There’s a surprising amount of enjoyment in all the chaotic action, particularly as you unlock more characters, skills, and enemies. Eventually, it even becomes surprisingly strategic.

The action sequences are so strong they actually outshine the plot. It’s possible the story just isn’t as compelling as it was in the first game.

Things feel off-balance now, as one side has clearly come out on top. The Dynasty Warriors have prevailed.

 

Jurassic World Evolution 3 (PlayStation, Xbox, PC, £49.99)

Verdict: Survival of the fittest

Jurassic Park has a long history of safety violations, but it’s never actually shut down. The seventh movie came out recently, and even though critics didn’t love it, it still earned close to a billion dollars. The filmmakers were undoubtedly thrilled with the financial success.

Which is why it’s strange that the Jurassic World Evolution games have existed so quietly.

The first installment came out in 2018, followed by a sequel, and now this third one. Each film has subtly improved upon the last, but none have become massive viral hits. However, this latest film isn’t just the strongest of the series – it’s truly exceptional.

They’re also the ideal Jurassic Park games, because they allow you to actually build the park.

You build habitats, raise dinosaurs, and welcome visitors. But things quickly become chaotic when, inevitably, something goes wrong.

One of the biggest differences in the third game is the increased focus on dinosaur breeding. Instead of only getting new dinosaurs from the lab, they can now be born in your park. This creates new challenges, as baby dinosaurs – like young T-Rexes – have very different needs than adults.

The game has a surprisingly engaging story that takes you around the world, but the real fun comes from building your own park. It’s incredibly satisfying to see your creations come to life, even when things go wrong – like when a velociraptor escapes from its enclosure!

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2025-11-07 19:21