The first brand new Zelda game on any Nintendo system is always a big deal. The Nintendo Switch 2 launched with gussied-up versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but now, five months after the Switch 2’s debut, the first new game in the franchise has arrived in the form of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.
Okay, so Age of Imprisonment is technically a spin-off in the Hyrule Warriors sub-series, which blends the world of Zelda with the gameplay of Koei Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors franchise (often referred to as Musou games), but it’s a full Switch 2 exclusive set in the fantasy world inhabited by Link and Princess Zelda, so naturally Nintendo fans are flocking to this one.
As a newcomer to the world of Hyrule Warriors, I wasn’t completely sure what I was getting myself into with Age of Imprisonment. The fact, I’m not a Zelda scholar (BOTW was my first Zelda game) had me curious to see if this canonical prequel to Tears of the Kingdom would hook me in the way Link’s most recent adventures had. After just a couple of hours of play, consider me pleasantly surprised at how eager I am to dive further into this Switch 2 title.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is more Zelda than I expected
I rank Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom as two of my favorite games of all time, but having briefly dipped into the Warriors series over the year, I’ve always found its “1 vs 100” combat a little mindless. Yes, mowing through whole armies of enemy soldiers in a matter of minutes is fun at first, but the novelty would typically wear off after just a few skirmishes.
The only Musou game that I’ve ever seen through to completion is 2021’s Persona 5 Strikers, and that was largely because I adore the characters of Persona 5 proper so much that their return via Strikers was more than enough to keep me invested. When it comes to Zelda, what draws me in is the ingenious puzzles and sense of exploration, both elements that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment strips away in favor of a focus on combat.
I’m still at an early stage of the game, so I can’t dish out a final review score, but I’ve been pleased with how Age of Imprisonment deeply reveres its source material. Elements from Tears of the Kingdom are smartly woven into the trademark Warriors' formula, with mechanics like the Zonai battery meter and Fuse Attack, grounded in abilities that Link has in Tears of the Kingdom.
Battles against more enemies than can fit on the Switch 2’s 7.9-inch display are still the focus, but it’s telling that I’ve been able to get to grips with the various combos and special moves after only a level or two because it all feels so familiar. It doesn’t play like Koei Tecmo has adapted Zelda around its established Warriors framework. Rather, it’s the opposite. The foundation of Age of Imprisonment is truly Zelda, and that’s a very important distinction.
Even better, much like Persona 5 Strikers mimicked Persona 5’s acclaimed aesthetics, Age of Imprisonment looks and sounds like playing a proper Zelda game. The menu design is cribbed straight from TOTK, and when you pick up a new item, the iconic Zelda chime plays. It all helps to make you feel like you’re playing a brand new Zelda title, rather than a soulless spin-off.
Should you buy Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment on Switch 2
Dedicated Zelda fans should have no qualms about hopping into Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. It tells a canonical story in this beloved universe, which is likely reason enough for long-time Zelda players to pick it up. And those familiar with either Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom will find plenty familiar, even if the gameplay is quite different.
I find myself missing the puzzles and exploration that had me playing Link’s last two mainline adventures for more than a hundred hours each, but after a brief adjustment period, I’m starting to appreciate Age of Imprisonment for what it is, rather than what it isn’t. Plus, it looks and runs perfectly on Switch 2, which is a big deal as I’ve heard from friends and colleagues that the previous Hyrule Warriors games struggled to maintain their framerate.
After less than six months on the market, the Switch 2 is already building a strong stable of exclusives, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment certainly belongs on that list. It’s not a full replacement for the next mainline Zelda (please, Nintendo, just give us a hint!), but it’s serving as a great holdover until Link is ready to head back into Hyrule on another quest.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.
