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, making it a worthwhile spinoff.

Nintendo and Koei Tecmo have earned my loyalty through multiple Warriors collaborations and spinoffs over the past decade. What stands out is Koei Tecmo’s approach: rather than just adding fan-favorite characters to the Musou formula, they enhance the gameplay by incorporating mechanics unique to each franchise.

This strategy was evident in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, and now it continues with Age of Imprisonment. Leveraging the power of the Switch 2, Koei Tecmo delivers a better performing game, proving Age of Imprisonment worthy of following the excellence of Tears of the Kingdom.

Story and Setting

Building on the events of Tears of the Kingdom, Age of Imprisonment revisits untold aspects of the past, similar to Age of Calamity. This time, the focus is on the war between the original King of Hyrule, Rauru, and the Gerudo chieftain turned Demon King, Ganondorf.

If you completed Tears of the Kingdom, you likely already know the outcome. However, Age of Imprisonment provides a detailed narrative, revealing Zelda’s efforts to reunite with Link in the future. It also gives more screen time to characters who were previously only peripheral in Tears of the Kingdom.

"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."
"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."
"Age of Imprisonment still tells us the in-depth story that saw Zelda strive to reunite with Link in the future."

Author's summary: Age of Imprisonment smartly expands Tears of the Kingdom’s lore with refined gameplay and richer character focus, solidifying it as a must-play spinoff on the Switch 2.

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Shacknews Shacknews — 2025-11-04

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