Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment Review

Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

It’s getting to the start of the Holiday Season, and that means we’re going to see some heavy hitters for the Nintendo Switch 2. Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment has come out swinging, building on the formula of Age of Calamity by taking us through a Tears of the Kingdom-esque version of Hyrule with a musou-style flavour. What’s it like? Prepare to hack, and add some slash in for variation, because we’re going to cut our way through hordes of enemies as we review Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment for Nintendo Switch 2.

Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment delves deeper into the lore of the Imprisonment War, mentioned in many Zelda games, but heavily featured as a pivotal plot point in both A Link to the Past and Tears of the Kingdom. The narrative focuses on Rauru, Sonia, and early incarnations of Zelda’s bloodline as they face the growing darkness of Ganondorf’s rise. It almost feels like watching a Marvel show or movie that ties into the overarching lore of the Zelda universe, which makes the story exciting and engaging. At times, the narrative does get in the way of the action, but for fans of Zelda’s world, these moments help make fans feel more emotionally invested. Beyond the main heroes, the game also lets you step into the boots of constructs, Koroks, and even Hylian soldiers or other “lesser” characters who don’t normally get the spotlight, giving these characters a voice and a playable role, which adds a fresh perspective to familiar battles and makes Hyrule feel even more alive. It’s a clever way to expand the story without losing the focus on the big heroes, letting every fighter feel like they have a stake in the overall conflict.

Speaking of conflict, there’s plenty of that in Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment, as the musou hack-and-slash sees you cutting your way through hordes of enemies. The game structure works incredibly well, playing out across a “war map” of Hyrule, the skies above, and the depths below, in all manner of missions. Some missions can be ticked off by supplying materials to enhance fighters or unlock further customisations, while the main battles have you clawing back territory in the war effort. This is where Age of Imprisonment really sinks its teeth into you, giving you a map of checkpoints to clear, captains to defeat, and camps to set up.

Combat feels improved to near perfection. After a slow opening of tutorials, I was smashing through the battlefield, tagging in allies for stronger attacks and countering powerful enemies with specific special moves to knock the wind out of them. It’s incredibly satisfying to switch mid-strike to an ally, hit a special move, and continue battling. The pick-up-and-play style is intuitive, making you feel like a true conqueror, and there’s nothing more rewarding than saving a falling outpost at the last minute with a super move that clears the area instantly.

Just when you settle into the rhythm of hacking and slashing, Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment throws in new mechanics like using Zonai devices, which alter gameplay by adding elemental attacks, counters, and even rockets for traversal. The game also introduces on-rails shooting sections, which are exciting and packed with action. These additions keep combat feeling fresh, breaking up the routine in a way that never feels forced. That sense of satisfaction is a common theme in Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment. It’s a slick, stylish, and engaging game from start to finish thanks to its combat, which simply oozes coolness. Additional challenge missions extend play beyond the main story, and two-player co-op lets you take on armies with a friend, adding even more replayability and fun.

Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment continues the art style established in Age of Calamity, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom, preserving the series’ signature cel-shaded look while feeling like an authentic mainline Zelda entry. The result is an instantly recognisable Hyrule that you feel like you’ve explored before, but with the polish and flair you expect from a big Switch 2 release. Characters are detailed and expressive, from Rauru and Zelda to the support cast of familiar races of Hyrule, each with animations that bring them to life in battle. Levels are carefully crafted to feel familiar yet fresh, often referencing areas you’ve explored in the main games but reimagined for large-scale musou combat. The skies, forests, and depths all retain the iconic Zelda aesthetic while accommodating massive hordes of enemies without ever feeling cluttered.

I did see some areas, like small cliffs that looked low-poly, but as you’re usually focused on the combat ahead, these areas will usually pass you by with no notice. Visual effects are stylish and over-the-top with super moves, elemental attacks from Zonai devices, and on-rails shooting sequences that are spectacular, bursting with sparks, flames, and energy blasts that make every battle feel cinematic. The game manages to balance spectacle and clarity, so even in the heat of chaos, you can follow the action without feeling overwhelmed. Age of Imprisonment really nails the look of Hyrule, giving players a visually satisfying experience that feels both epic and true to the series.

But what’s the use of gorgeous visuals if the game can’t perform under pressure? Thankfully, Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment delivers. The game runs at a consistent 60 frames per second during gameplay, even when the screen is packed with hundreds of enemies and special effects lighting up the battlefield. It’s incredibly smooth and responsive, giving every swing, dodge, and special attack the precision this kind of action needs.

There is one odd caveat, however, and that’s the cinematic sequences, including those that play mid-level, appear to be pre-rendered and run at 30 frames per second with a noticeably lower resolution. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means, but it can feel a little jarring when the action shifts back to the slick, fluid gameplay immediately after. Split-screen performance naturally takes a small hit, running at a locked 30 frames per second, but it remains stable and perfectly playable throughout. Overall, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is one of the smoothest and most technically polished musou experiences on a Nintendo platform to date.

For my Hylians looking into accessibility, there are a few options that may make your time in Hyrule a bit smoother. These range from locking your minimap orientation, auto-using rechargeable items, and displaying on-screen button or combo guidance, to full control guides, gyro controls, and various camera lock options to make combat easier to manage. It’s not the most in-depth accessibility suite out there, but these small touches help make the experience more comfortable for a wider range of players. As always, I recommend further research into finding out if Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment suits your needs. At just under $110 AUD, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment lands on the steeper end of the price scale, but thankfully offers plenty of content to justify it. While you can probably blitz through the main story in around eight to nine hours, the additional playable missions, supply runs, and Korok hunting easily stretch the experience out to forty hours or more.

Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment is one slick package. From combat polished to perfection, to the engrossing narrative that fills in a huge part of Hyrule’s history, there’s a lot on offer here for Zelda fans. Even more casual players will enjoy their time on the battlefields of Hyrule thanks to the intuitive gameplay and controls that make pulling off amazing combat feats feel effortless. Hyrule Warriors may be a spinoff at heart, but its incredible attention to detail and outstanding gameplay mean Age of Imprisonment earns its place in Hyrule’s legend.

So, What’s it Like? Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment is like Tears of the Kingdom crossed with Dynasty Warriors.

Hyrule Warriors is a What’s It Like Certified Exceptional game.

In the interest of full disclosure, a review copy was provided by Nintendo, but this doesn’t influence my score.

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