Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment — Review

I’m fortunate enough to have a job that gives me the occasional stretch of downtime — just enough time to sneak in some gaming on my Switch 2. In need of something new to play, I figured Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment would be a solid pick. After all, a Warriors-style hack-and-slash is the perfect kind of mindless fun to pass the time at work, right?

I’m not the biggest Warriors fan, but I’ve dabbled. The last one I played was the Berserk spin-off, and the only Zelda-themed entry I’ve touched was the original Hyrule Warriors back on the Wii U — you know, the one where Link strutted into battle wearing a six-foot scarf for some reason.

So yeah, I’m a little outdated when it comes to this series. I know Warriors games have their own dedicated fanbase that absolutely adores them, but for me, they’ve always been a fun distraction — nothing too deep. That said, I’ve found myself pleasantly surprised so far. Let’s dig in and see how this new Hyrule Warriors holds up.

Gameplay & Combat

When it comes to gameplay, Age of Imprisonment delivers your standard Warriors experience with a few welcome “Zelda-fied” twists. You’ll spend most of your time mowing down endless hordes of enemies in that over-the-top, anime-style spectacle the series is known for — oversized weapons, flashy effects, and cheesy one-liners included. It’s all here: light and heavy attack combos, an overcharged special meter that lets you unleash a cinematic super move, and the signature sense of dramatic chaos that makes these games so unapologetically fun. If you’ve played any Warriors title before, you already know what to expect — button-mashy, flashy, anime-inspired mayhem.

That said, Age of Imprisonment adds some new mechanics that bring a surprising layer of depth to the formula. The most notable addition is the inclusion of Zonai devices — tools lifted straight out of Tears of the Kingdom that bring some creative experimentation into combat. Fire and frost emitters, time bombs, and rockets all make appearances, offering new ways to disrupt or dominate the battlefield. It’s not just for show either — these gadgets can interact with specific enemy weaknesses. Chus can be frozen with a frost emitter, walking trees burn down under fire, and rockets let you blitz through crowds like a missile with a sword. It’s a small change, but it gives combat more personality and variety than usual, which is refreshing for a franchise that often leans on repetition.

There are also new Sync Abilities, which let you team up with your allies once your sync gauge fills to unleash powerful joint attacks or temporary buffs. Think of it as a second super move — one that changes based on who’s in your party. Some syncs are simple coordinated specials, while others summon constructs or trigger flashy transformations. It’s not groundbreaking, but it adds another layer of spectacle to an already mechanically flamboyant game. The animations are a treat to watch, and they keep the action feeling dynamic even after hours of button mashing.

On top of that, you now have interrupt abilities tied to cooldowns, designed to counter enemy attacks. When an enemy begins winding up a special move, an icon will appear showing which counter to use — whether it’s an anti-air strike, a shield-breaker, or a stagger move. It’s simple and clearly telegraphed, but it adds a satisfying rhythm to combat, forcing you to pay attention rather than just mash your way through every encounter. More depth isn’t a bad thing, especially when it fits this cleanly into the flow.

Outside of combat, there’s a surprising amount of downtime variety too. After capturing certain posts, you can establish camp sites, which let you cook meals from collected ingredients. Depending on what you throw together, you’ll earn buffs to EXP gain, movement speed, or special attack gauge recovery — all familiar systems to anyone who’s cooked their way through Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom. There’s even the signature food icons and effects to match, which gives it that charming Zelda authenticity.

If you dodge an enemy attack at the perfect moment, you’ll trigger a flurry rush, just like in the mainline Zelda games — a nice touch that ties the combat more directly to the series it’s honoring.

Beyond the battlefield, you’ll spend time on the overworld map, choosing from a wide selection of missions. Main story quests, side missions, and material-gathering challenges all return. Completing these optional missions strengthens your characters, unlocking new combos, attacks, and health upgrades. There’s also a robust weapon system that lets you upgrade your favorite gear with rupees and materials, giving you a steady sense of progression and incentive to keep grinding.

All of these additions — Zonai devices, sync attacks, cooking, and flurry rushes — blend surprisingly well with the Warriors framework. They make Age of Imprisonment feel like more than just another reskinned entry; it’s a game that actually embraces the DNA of Zelda rather than just wearing its skin.

Story & Setting

A few hours in, I can safely say this isn’t the deep narrative experience some fans might have been hoping for — though, to be fair, it’s a Warriors game. You don’t really pick these up for the story. Still, given how closely Age of Imprisonment ties into Tears of the Kingdom, I can see why diehard Zelda fans might be curious about its “prequel” angle.

This time around, the story centers squarely on Zelda and her time in the past alongside King Rauru. There’s also a new Korok and construct companion who basically acts as a stand-in for Link — right down to borrowing his moveset — which feels a little like filler from a gameplay perspective. The cutscenes themselves are beautifully animated, and the voice cast does an excellent job bringing emotion and energy to their roles. Unfortunately, the actual writing and pacing just don’t do much to keep you invested. It’s not bad — it’s just not particularly engaging. So far, I don’t feel like you’re missing much if you decide to skip this one for the story alone.

That said, where Age of Imprisonment really shines is in its setting. It’s classic Zelda territory — Hyrule in all its familiar glory — and it looks as good as ever. The environments feel vibrant and true to the series, from lush fields to ancient ruins, and the character designs perfectly capture the spirit of the franchise. That’s really what sets Hyrule Warriors apart from other Warriors spin-offs: this doesn’t just look like Zelda; it feels like Zelda.

Where something like One Piece: Pirate Warriors feels like a Warriors game wearing an anime costume, Hyrule Warriors genuinely embraces the essence of its world. Even if the story falls flat, the presentation and atmosphere more than make up for it. It might not be a must-play chapter of the Zelda timeline, but it’s a fun, faithful love letter to the series all the same.

Performance & Visuals

Visually, it’s unmistakably Zelda. Age of Imprisonment uses the same art style we’ve grown accustomed to from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom — bright, painterly, and timeless. It’s not the most graphically advanced game you’ll play on the Switch 2, but it doesn’t need to be. Nintendo’s art direction once again does the heavy lifting, delivering crisp colors, expressive character models, and beautifully stylized environments that pop on the screen.

Combat looks especially impressive. Animations are fluid and flashy, and the screen often explodes with color and particle effects as dozens of enemies fly across the battlefield. It’s that signature Warriors chaos — fast, loud, and visually explosive — and it feels right at home in the Zelda universe.

Performance-wise, the game holds up well. Battles run at a steady 60 FPS with no noticeable stutter or slowdown, even during massive enemy swarms. Strangely enough, the only dips I’ve encountered have been during cutscenes rather than gameplay. It’s minor — just enough for someone like me to notice — but nowhere near enough to hurt the overall experience. For a game this chaotic, it’s impressive how smooth it runs.

Sound & Music

I’ll be honest — I play mostly on low volume at work, so I haven’t been fully immersed in Age of Imprisonment’s soundscape. That said, even at a lower volume, it’s clear the audio design holds up well. The sound effects hit that satisfying mix of crunchy and cinematic; sword clashes, explosions, and elemental bursts all carry a nice punch that makes every hit feel impactful.

The soundtrack sticks closely to the Zelda formula, blending reimagined orchestral themes from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom with that signature Warriors-style intensity. It’s familiar but effective — heroic horns, sweeping strings, and the occasional electric guitar riff when the action ramps up. The mix of traditional Zelda melodies with high-energy Warriors flair gives battles a grand, energetic vibe.

Voice acting, on the other hand, deserves special mention. Even from what I’ve heard in snippets, the performances are consistently strong — especially Zelda, who gets some of her most emotional scenes in this series. It’s clear the voice actors were fully committed, even if the script itself doesn’t always rise to their level.

All in all, while I might not have soaked in every note, what I did hear fits the experience perfectly: polished, energetic, and unmistakably Zelda.

Criticisms

As much as Age of Imprisonment tries to separate itself from the rest of the Warriors franchise and its endless spin-offs, at the end of the day — it’s still a Warriors game. And that means it suffers from the same core weaknesses the series has always had.

Let’s start with the obvious: it’s repetitive. Endlessly repetitive. I’ve played enough Warriors games to know the formula inside and out, and while this entry does its best to add complexity with new mechanics, it’s still mostly about mashing buttons and sending the same groups of enemies flying again and again. Bosses shake things up a little, but not enough to make the combat feel truly intricate. Fans will swear up and down that the characters play differently, but I disagree. Sure, some swing faster or feel heavier than others, but ultimately it still boils down to “mash Y and X, cue Michael Bay explosion.” It’s fun in short bursts, but not the kind of combat that demands mastery.

It’s satisfying enough to keep you entertained, but personally, I find myself putting the controller down not long after finishing the main story — if I even finish it at all. I don’t think I ever completed the Berserk entry either; they just become that mindless after a while. Age of Imprisonment is the perfect game to play at work when you’ve got downtime, but I’m not exactly rushing to dock my Switch at home and sink another three hours into it. When I’ve got that kind of time, I’d rather play something with more depth and substance.

Then there’s the story. As I mentioned earlier, it’s… fine, but not great. It’ll keep hardcore Zelda fans entertained, but for anyone outside that crowd, it’s a bit of a snooze fest. I do appreciate that this entry tells an original story rather than rehashing existing events like some other Warriors adaptations do, but the narrative itself just isn’t compelling enough to carry the experience. And if you’re already familiar with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, you basically know how it all goes anyway.

To be blunt, the Zelda series has never been known for groundbreaking storytelling — at least not for me. It’s usually some variation of “Link is the chosen hero who needs the Master Sword to defeat the ultimate evil and save the princess.” Rinse, repeat. (Come at me, fanboys.) I will say, though, it’s refreshing to see Zelda and the supporting cast take the spotlight for once, even if the writing doesn’t quite live up to the premise.

Ultimately, the biggest flaws holding Age of Imprisonment back are the same ones that have always limited the Warriors formula — repetition, shallow combat, and a lackluster story. It’s fun, flashy, and full of charm, but it’s not going to convert anyone who wasn’t already a fan.

Final Verdict

After all is said and done, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a solid game. It’s not breaking any new ground or aiming for Game of the Year status — but that’s okay. The game knows exactly what it is and who it’s for. It leans confidently into its genre and delivers hours of flashy, anime-style hack-and-slash fun. The performance is strong, the visuals shine on the Switch 2, and while the story won’t win any awards, it’s entertaining enough for Zelda fans to sit through the cutscenes and enjoy the ride.

Aside from the flaws that naturally come with its formula — repetition, shallow combat depth, and a weaker narrative — it’s a well-built, enjoyable experience. For what it sets out to do, it succeeds.

I’m giving Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment a 7.5 out of 10. I wanted to go higher, but I try to stay objective. It’s certainly not a game everyone will enjoy, but if you’re a fan of Zelda or the Warriors series, this is easily one of the best entries you can pick up. Personally, I enjoyed it far more than Dynasty Warriors, Berserk, or One Piece: Pirate Warriors.