Back when Zelda fans were first speculating about the first sign of Link on the Wii U, I doubt anyone was expecting to see a title quite like this.

Hyrule Warriors marries the Zelda franchise with the long-running strategic hack'n'slash Dynasty Warriors series, and the resulting game is a match made in heaven. To summarise this style of game, Dynasty Warriors has you fighting as a key figure in an immense battle, ploughing your way through hordes upon hordes of enemies as you capture keeps and take out enemy leaders to turn the tide of the overall campaign. It's a type of game that lends itself uncannily well to the land of Hyrule.

In a story unique to Hyrule Warriors but borrowing elements, styles and themes from Zelda's rich history, players follow a plot that unfolds like some kind of self-referencing Zelda fan-fiction. It sounds silly, and to a degree it is; that is to say, except that it succeeds in bringing together characters and scenarios from across the entire Hyrule Historia timeline, to interact with one another in a time travel crossover epic.

Players take control of a large and varied cast of warriors from Zelda's core storyline including guest stars from Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword. The cast's individual personalities and mannerisms are lifted expertly from the source material and every character feels spot-on. Even the game's new characters borrow inspiration heavily from existing Zelda lore and feel like they've always fit in, from a humanised version of Ocarina's Volvagia boss to a plucky sorceress with strong connections to the Deku Tree and its forest life. The choice of weapons also draws from the Zelda series' many items and tools. Link wields the most equipment, naturally, but you can expect to mow down entire armies with the Wind Waker baton, the Goron's Megaton Hammer, Hero's Bow and Light Arrows, the Deku Slingshot and many, many others. Look out for a cameo appearance of Bow-Wow, the Chain Chomp from Link's Awakening!

This game is nothing short of a love letter, both to the Zelda series and to the fans thereof. There are countless references and in-jokes packed into the game to tickle the fancies of just about any Zelda fan, regardless of which games in the series you enjoy.

With an astounding amount of content, you're never left short of something to do. The game has hidden items and weapons, Heart Pieces and Skulltulas that unlock a gallery of artwork and bonus content. Hyrule Warriors will easily take completionists weeks, if not months to completely explore, especially if they want to max out the levels and weapon arsenal for the entire cast. Additional content is available via DLC which adds alternate maps for Adventure Mode, extra characters to play as and new costumes and weapons for the existing line-up.