Game: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Genre: Action, Adventure
System: Nintendo Switch 2
Developer|Publisher: KOEI TECHMO | Nintendo
Age Rating: EU 12+ | US Everyone
Price: US $69.99 | UK 58.99 | EU € 69,99
Release Date: November 6th, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to Nintendo Europe.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment – A Third Thrilling Outing
If you told me years ago that I’d one day play a game where Zelda herself would lead battalions into war, swinging ballet-like magic at hundreds of foes while Ganondorf lurked somewhere in the distance, well, I’d have assumed you’d eaten too many Deku nuts. But here we are. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment has arrived on the Switch 2, and it’s a knockout blend of Zelda lore and old-school Warriors action that somehow feels grand, ridiculous, and surprisingly heartfelt all at once.
As someone who’s played a frankly embarrassing number of Dynasty Warriors titles since the PS2 era, I’ve seen this formula take on just about every franchise under the sun. Yet when Nintendo and Koei Tecmo join forces, something special tends to happen. The first Hyrule Warriors was a fun experiment. Age of Calamity tied beautifully into Breath of the Wild. But Age of Imprisonment? This one feels like the culmination, a Warriors game that sits comfortably as part of Zelda canon, without losing any of that glorious over-the-top action the series is known for.
Zelda Takes the Lead
This story picks up during the events of Tears of the Kingdom, with Zelda herself hurled back in time to the founding days of Hyrule. It’s a clever premise, one that bridges her more recent incarnation with the mythic roots we’ve only heard whispers of before. Along the way, she meets her ancestors, Rauru (the coolest king ever), Sonia, and many other allies, slowly discovers the truth behind the mysterious Imprisoning War that shaped everything we know about Hyrule’s history.
It’s all fully voice-acted, beautifully animated, and, like Nintendo’s best work, it never skimps on presentation. The cutscenes feel as cinematic as Tears of the Kingdom, the dialogue fits naturally within the existing lore, and the visuals, wow. The Switch 2’s upgraded hardware means that for the first time, a Warriors game doesn’t just run well, it shines. The painterly shading, familiar landscapes, and sweeping vistas make this feel less like a spin-off and more like a genuine Zelda epic that happens to be packed with thousands of enemies on screen. If lore is not your thing, cutscenes can be skipped.
Hack, Slash, Repeat (But Better Than Ever)
Of course, this is still very much a Warriors game. You’ll be cutting down hundreds of soldiers, trees, moblins, and monsters per battle, capturing outposts, escorting allies, and occasionally shouting at your screen when someone requests help from across the map for the tenth time. But beneath that familiar rhythm, Age of Imprisonment adds a lot of smart tweaks.
Combat feels deeper now. You’ve got your light and heavy combos as usual, but dodging and parrying actually matter. Pulling off a perfect dodge opens up counter opportunities. Each character has a few abilities that can be triggered during battle. As each character levels up, you unlock new combos and moves. Zelda has a cool combo where she switches from melee to ranged combat with light arrows, which feels great to use. Finally, a Warriors game where bows are useful.
The new Zonai devices are items you can equip and activate on the fly during battle to exploit enemy weakness. They introduce just enough unpredictability to keep things lively. One minute you’re swinging a sword, the next you’re summoning a flamethrower-like construct to clear a path or launching bombs across the battlefield. Zelda herself wields a new ballet-style weapon that blends graceful movement with raw power; it’s one of those “looks delicate but melts monsters” setups, and it’s brilliant to play.
Switching between characters mid-battle returns, and it’s smoother than ever. One moment you’re Zelda, then you can instantly switch to Rauru to create some cool co-op combo or help each other in a pinch. You can also activate a special move with fellow warriors to create some neat surprises. This includes piloting a massive ancient mech and smashing through enemies or having a joint beam of light home in on a designated target. The developers clearly had fun layering in spectacle, and it’s infectious.
A Little Strategy Never Hurts
It’s not all chaos and button-mashing. There’s a layer of strategy here that fans of Fire Emblem Warriors will recognise. You can direct units to key locations, then switch to them to save you from walking there yourself. It’s not complex enough to slow the pace, but it does make you feel more like a commander than a lone superhero.
Exploring the environment is also rewarding. Hyrule’s open fields, underground ruins, and sky-high battlegrounds all feel distinct. The fog-of-war map slowly uncovers as you move, which gives that satisfying sense of discovery, especially when a new section pops open to reveal a secret route or treasure.
Presentation Fit for a Queen
Technically, this is one of the best-looking Warriors titles ever made. The environments are lush, the lighting soft but vibrant, and the animations fluid enough to make each battle feel like a small cinematic event. The soundtrack is an absolute triumph too, sweeping orchestral takes on classic Zelda themes mixed with those bombastic battle rhythms that only Koei Tecmo can pull off. And yes, you can listen to the score separately in the in-game music gallery, which is a lovely touch.
Split-screen co-op makes a welcome return, and it’s smooth enough on the Switch 2 to actually be enjoyable. You can even link systems for shared play, which feels tailor-made for weekend sessions with a friend.
Bursting With Content
As for content, there is plenty to keep you busy for many game nights to come. Each character can be levelled up. You can opt for new weapons and items as well as enhance them. You can take on many mini missions, some simple battles, some which require you to gather resources and spend them to level features up even further. If difficulty is a concern, there are settings to make the game more manageable if needed. Sometimes you just want to blow off steam without the stress. The character roster probably seems a little slim compared to other games, but with each character feeling distinct and customizable, this didn’t bother me.
Conclusion: A Triumphant Return to the Battlefield
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment might be one of the most ambitious crossover games Nintendo has ever backed. It respects Zelda’s mythos, delivers the scale fans expect from a Warriors title, and layers in enough depth and polish to make both series shine. It’s loud, it’s unapologetically dramatic, and it’s one of those games that just feels good to play, whether you’re mowing through hordes of enemies or pausing to admire the sunset over the battlefield.
If you’ve never liked Warriors games, this probably won’t convert you. But if you’ve ever found joy in the cathartic rhythm of smashing through endless waves of foes, or if you just want more Zelda lore to sink into, you’ll be grinning from the first swing.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up
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