New Zelda Spinoff: A Soulless Disappointment?

• A Visual Showcase: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a Switch 2 exclusive that powerfully demonstrates the new console's graphical capabilities.
• Prequel Story: The game serves as a direct prequel to Tears of the Kingdom, delving into the origins of Ganondorf's evil in ancient Hyrule.
• Gameplay Divide: Despite its narrative strengths, the game's repetitive hack-and-slash combat is a major departure from traditional Zelda exploration, leaving many fans wanting more.
• Not a True Zelda: Critics and players are noting that while the game looks and feels like Zelda, its core mechanics lack the puzzle-solving and adventure that define the series.

A Beautiful Game with a Troubling Identity

Nintendo's launch lineup for the Switch 2 has a massive title from the Zelda universe, but it may not be the one fans were hoping for. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment has arrived, and it’s already creating a sharp divide within the community. While it succeeds as a stunning technical demo for the new hardware and offers a can't-miss story for lore enthusiasts, its fundamental gameplay leaves many wishing for a true successor to the mainline Zelda adventures.

A Graphical Leap Forward

The first thing players will notice is how gorgeous Age of Imprisonment looks. Developed by Koei-Tecmo, this spinoff leverages the Switch 2's power to deliver incredibly smooth animation, even when the screen is flooded with hundreds of enemies. The production values are top-notch, with authentic character designs, impressive voice acting, and a world that feels pulled directly from Tears of the Kingdom. For those who felt the original Switch was straining under the weight of recent Zelda titles, this game is a welcome glimpse into the future of the franchise.

The game’s map mirrors the tri-level design of Tears of the Kingdom, featuring missions in the depths and the sky. This, combined with a story that follows Zelda traveling back in time, makes it an essential experience for anyone invested in the overarching narrative.

The Repetitive Heart of Combat

For all its visual and narrative successes, the game’s core problem is its gameplay. Age of Imprisonment is a "musou" game, centered on massive-scale, hack-and-slash battles. While players can unlock an impressive roster of iconic Hyrule characters, the moment-to-moment action often boils down to repetitive button-mashing against hordes of enemies.

This style is a far cry from the exploration, puzzle-solving, and strategic combat that are hallmarks of a mainline Zelda title. The game isn't about free-roaming curiosity; instead, players unlock contained battle maps and fight their way through to the next story segment. For many, this loop becomes tedious, feeling more like a chore to get to the next cinematic rather than an engaging experience in its own right.

Who Is This Actually For?

This leaves a critical question: who should buy this game? Fans of the previous Hyrule Warriors titles will know exactly what to expect and will likely be thrilled. Die-hard Zelda fans who crave every piece of lore will feel compelled to play it for the story alone. However, players hoping for the next grand adventure in Hyrule will likely feel disappointed.

As a Switch 2 exclusive, Age of Imprisonment feels like a half-success. It proves how spectacular a next-generation Zelda can look, but it also serves as a painful reminder that this isn’t it. For now, it’s a beautiful, story-rich spinoff that only makes the wait for a true next-gen Zelda game that much harder.