Master Quest is the first paid DLC for Hyrule Warriors, and is priced at $7.99 for those of you who did not purchase the season pass.  The title’s first DLC features a fair amount of gameplay (an entirely knew Adventure Mode Map), but features quite a number of aesthetic rewards in the form of costumes and 8-bit style weapons.  These rewards may not be as compelling as the Adventure Mode’s weapon upgrades, so working harder to get these may chase people away from this first pack. On the other hand, if you are searching for the level 2 and 3 weapons of Wizzro, Cia, and Volga, then look no further.

Master Quest features a completely separate set of challenges not found in the original, adding a refreshing spark to the Hyrule Warriors gameplay.  Players will now go through stipulations such as time-attack, no damage, no healing, and no items in addition to the standard challenges. While most of the challenges will not hinder experienced players, the no damage challenge may have you seeing red.  The concept is the same as the “all attacks are devastating” challenges of Adventure Mode, but set to a standard battle. Players will need a lot of tact (and a bit of luck) in order to complete these challenges. Troubles occur when players need to receive an ‘A’ rank in order to continue on the map, and because this is Master Quest, this scenario will appear much more often.  Every cheap shot from a common enemy means another fifteen minutes, which can be especially frustrating near the end of a tense scenario.

Imitating the NES original, the Master Quest Map is the same as Adventure Mode, but in many cases, requires a higher rank to complete. Some secret passages, such as burning bushes, won’t work the same way, requiring a bit of trial and error. Unfortunately, each error can cost you twenty minutes or more, since replacing that item requires playing through another skirmish.

Aside from the Master Quest Map, Hyrule Warriors’s first paid DLC adds five more battles to the Legendary Campaign.  Just like the main game, these side missions feel like nothing more than a side-show to the robust Adventure Mode.  This mini-campaign follows the exploits of Cia, Wizzro, and Volga, as they gain territory in Hyrule.  While I did state in my original review to not expect much from the story, it was interesting to see the interactions between the villains, as well as a bit more into how deep Cia’s madness runs.  Unfortunately, the Legendary Missions feel incomplete, as the villain ark only touches on some of the villains’ happenings.  For example, we see how Zant and Ghirahim are recruited, but not how Wizzro takes hold of the Water Temple.  Likewise, I’d be interested to see the moments right after Lana was driven out of Cia.

Master Quest will be the first of many of the upcoming Hyrule Warriors DLC packs being released over the course of the year, and players may find themselves spending a few more hours in Master Quest in order to simply fill in all of the tiles.  The new campaign is a nice addition to the rest of the game.  Master Quest is good for those looking for a challenge, and most of the campaign is accessible to players of all skill levels, but a few steep penalties in some battles may leave you feeling bitter, so be prepared.

 

To check out my original review of Hyrule Warriors, head on over here (As long as you ranked “A” in the last Mission).