This article was originally published in Italian on Thegamesmachine.it in 2016.
Following the trend of the Xtreme Legends editions from the Dynasty Warriors series—expanded versions of main titles—it’s only fitting to begin this review by stating that Hyrule Warriors Legends, the “musou” collaboration between Koei Tecmo and Nintendo, finally emerges with a fresh identity packed with truly enticing content. I had already touched upon this in a preview a few weeks ago, but let me reiterate: the updates go far beyond some trivial additions or the inclusion of the DLC from Hyrule Warriors (without the Legends suffix), the version of the game released exclusively for Wii U. Instead, they encompass a significant overhaul of the campaign, introducing new objectives and mechanics to master, as well as the promise of further expanding the adventures of Linkle and company through a series of paid DLCs slated for release throughout the year. Therefore, Hyrule Warriors Legends shouldn’t be mistaken for an “all-inclusive edition” because, in fact, there’s already a Season Pass offering a variety of new characters, scenarios, and much more. But let’s break it down step by step.
When the Wii U version of the game was released, I criticized it for lacking the foundational content expected from a musou title, such as a robust roster of playable characters, weapon variety for combat, and various refinements that could elevate Koei Tecmo and Nintendo’s brainchild beyond a simple commercial endeavor. Looking back now, considering the range of costumes, characters, and scenarios sold separately as DLC, I have to admit that the grand plan of these two Japanese developers only came into full effect over time, delivering to their most dedicated players—those happy to grab DLC packs via the eShop—that array of features which, in my opinion, should have been included from the outset. Reviewing Hyrule Warriors Legends, I can say I’m largely satisfied. All of the additional content from the Wii U version is now available right out of the box in this edition, much to the chagrin of early adopters. Moreover, Nintendo and the creators of Dead or Alive and Fatal Frame have once again gone above and beyond a simple port, incorporating numerous changes and new features that make this Nintendo 3DS title feel like a refined and improved version of the original.
The core gameplay loop of Hyrule Warriors Legends remains unchanged: amidst thousands of on-screen enemies, the player’s primary task isn’t so much breaking enemy ranks as it is swiftly navigating between points of interest marked on the map, reclaiming bases captured by foes while also watching out for tougher enemies, typically represented by generals and their direct subordinates. Notably, even at the normal difficulty level, I finally experienced the thrill of a game over screen—a practically supernatural event, considering the average difficulty of musou titles at this level. The main campaign, known as Legend Mode, has been thoughtfully reworked to seamlessly integrate new features (such as switching between warriors during missions or using the Ocarina of Time to teleport across the battlefield for faster movement) and expanded with chapters dedicated to Linkle, the female counterpart of Link, and new characters from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
The inclusion of fairies to rescue within various enemy outposts opens the door to a new and exciting layer of hero customization, allowing players to harness the abilities and traits of these winged companions to complete battles. Additionally, Hyrule Warriors Legends features Koei Tecmo’s signature fan service—particularly regarding female characters—through a mode where players can dress up their own personal fairy, customizing its outfit, appearance, and abilities… essentially a lighthearted Tamagotchi-style experience. The Adventure Mode now includes all previously released Wii U DLCs and will be expanded in the coming months with new maps inspired by The Wind Waker, Link’s Awakening, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, and A Link Between Worlds, celebrating the portable history of the Hero of Time and his many reincarnations.
Although local co-op play has been entirely scrapped in favor of forgettable asynchronous connections via StreetPass and SpotPass, the sheer number of improvements and the wealth of new content more than make up for the absence of the home console experience. However, it’s worth noting that both on New Nintendo 3DS and standard Nintendo 3DS, one shouldn’t expect the same level of grandiose visual flair with pyrotechnic animations and dramatic zoom-ins. The already modest technical performance has been visibly scaled down. That said, disappointment is unlikely once Hyrule Warriors Legends springs to life on the upper screen of the Nintendo console (as long as stereoscopic 3D is turned off; otherwise, the frame rate becomes atrocious). Still, one might have reasonably hoped that such a well-executed revision of the original title would also be playable on the more powerful hardware of the Nintendo Wii U, rather than being limited to the portable console’s constraints. Nonetheless, the new characters, along with those arriving via DLC over the year, can also be redeemed on the Wii U version—although without carrying over the campaign or embracing the finely tuned gameplay richness. This, in itself, can still be considered a significant win!
Lastly, regarding Amiibo compatibility—the current Nintendo trend—I can confirm that all available figurines are compatible with Hyrule Warriors Legends (including the recently released Wolf Link). These figurines unlock high-quality weapons, rupees, and items that can be invested in upgrading equipment through the dedicated crafting system.
In conclusion, I’m happy to evaluate Hyrule Warriors Legends as a solid musou game and, more importantly, a worthy addition to the already impressive Nintendo 3DS library. While it’s not an essential purchase for those who’ve already played the home console edition, the improvements are substantial enough for me to recommend it even to those who enjoyed the Wii U version.
