Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment review: Ultrahanding out beatdowns

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Review: Ultrahanding Out Beatdowns

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment offers a smart adaptation of Tears of the Kingdom mechanics, an engaging cast of characters, and a compelling campaign that makes it a worthwhile spinoff.

Nintendo and Koei Tecmo have earned my loyalty through several Warriors collaborations and spinoffs over the past decade. What stands out is how Koei Tecmo enhances the traditional Musou gameplay by incorporating mechanics specific to the franchise it handles. This approach was evident in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, and now it shines again in Age of Imprisonment.

Utilizing the power of the Switch 2, the game performs better overall and stands as a worthy spinoff to the exceptional Tears of the Kingdom.

Story and Setting

Building on the events of Tears of the Kingdom, Age of Imprisonment explores previously hinted but unexplored events. The narrative centers on the war between the original King of Hyrule, Rauru, and the Gerudo chieftain turned Demon King, Ganondorf.

If you have completed Tears of the Kingdom, you likely know the outcome, but Age of Imprisonment delves deeper into the story, depicting Zelda's efforts to reunite with Link in the future. The game also gives more screen time to characters who were only briefly mentioned in the main title.

Nintendo and Koei Tecmo have made a fairly loyal fan of me over the course of several Warriors collaborations and spinoffs this last decade and then some.

Only this time, Koei Tecmo has utilized the power of the Switch 2 to make an altogether better performing game and a worthy spinoff to the excellence that was Tears of the Kingdom.

We get a lot of time with characters that were only in the periphery of Tears of the Kingdom.

Key Features

Faithful adaptation of Tears of the Kingdom gameplay mechanics.
Improved performance on the latest Switch hardware.
Expanded story focusing on the conflict between Rauru and Ganondorf.
More detailed character development beyond the main game.

Summary: With refined gameplay and deeper storytelling, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment serves as a successful extension that enriches the world of Tears of the Kingdom for fans and newcomers alike.

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Shacknews — 2025-11-04