Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Hands-On Preview

During a special Nintendo holiday showcase, I was able to go hands-on with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, my full impressions.

At a special Nintendo Holiday Preview event, I had the chance to go hands-on with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment running on the Nintendo Switch 2. The demo was short, lasting roughly 10 minutes per session, but it provided valuable insight into the game's development and its feel on the battlefield. Even with the shorter segments of play, Nintendo encouraged us to replay it multiple times, each run focusing on a different character to truly grasp their unique move sets and play styles.

"Nintendo encouraged us to replay it multiple times, each run focusing on a different character to truly grasp their unique move sets and play styles."

Let’s dive into my thoughts on the fast-paced action experience Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment has to offer.

Battling through the underground

Set deep within an underground network of caverns beneath Hyrule, the demo mixed exploration, large-scale enemy waves, and environmental hazards. Across my play sessions, I encountered three distinct boss enemies, each demanding a different strategy. I won’t spoil them here, but there was a lot of gameplay variety in how you tackled each. One favoured relentless melee assaults, another unleashed area-of-effect magic attacks that had to be countered with smart positioning, and a third tested my timing and use of Zonai gadgets. The combination of fast-paced action and character-driven tactics made each run feel distinct, a strong indicator that variety and replayability will be key pillars of the full game. It has me extremely excited to play the full game when it releases on November 6^th.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Details

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch 2

Release Date: November 6, 2025

Developer: Koei Tecmo

Publisher: Nintendo (in collaboration with Koei Tecmo) 

Genre: Action

Available game modes: Single-player, Multiplayer (local co-op, split-screen)

ESRB Rating: Rating Pending

Hands-On with a Trio of Playable Heroes

Each playthrough of the demo let me step into the shoes of a different hero, and it became clear that Age of Imprisonment isn’t just recycling familiar move sets. Instead, every character feels purpose-built around their lore and abilities, translating into distinct combat rhythms. Whether channelling light, commanding Zonai technology, or wielding ancient power, each fighter brings a fresh way to carve through Hyrule’s hordes. Here's a breakdown of my experience with each character:

Zelda: Wielding Light and Melee

I started my first run as Zelda, who channels the Power of Light through a wand-like version of her sword. This gives her access to both melee combos and devastating ranged light attacks. She can launch radiant projectiles, summon light orbs that detonate midair, and cast sweeping beams that clear entire crowds. Her blend of swordplay and spellcasting feels more dynamic than ever, powerful yet graceful, perfectly befitting the Princess of Hyrule.

Rauru: Spear, Sweep, and Whip Control

Next, I stepped into the role of Rauru, wielding a radiant spear of light. I have to say, so far, Rauru is my early favourite. I really liked his playstyle; his attacks emphasize reach and control. Using the Ultra Hand ability, Rauru can throw his spear forward and then manipulate it midair, offering a “second strike” on enemies. This mechanic lets you strike from all sorts of different angles, control space, and maintain constant offensive pressure. The combination of precision, range, and flair makes him the most satisfying character to use in the game with this early look.

Mineru: Master of Zonai Engineering

Finally, I tried Mineru, the “engineer type” character whose fighting style is incredibly inventive. Her combos weave in mechanical devices mid-battle, from rotating turrets and spiked carts to modular constructs that can slam into enemies. In one sequence, I summoned a Zonai cart that thundered forward, crushing foes and offering great crowd control. Mineru’s move set feels experimental but rewarding, letting you turn the battlefield into a personal workshop of chaos.

Zonai Devices & Battlefield Gadgets

One of the most exciting systems introduced in Age of Imprisonment is the Zonai Device mechanic. You can equip a limited selection of devices that draw from a shared Zonai Battery meter. Once depleted, the meter must recharge, preventing gadget spamming and encouraging smart resource management. I found a battery hidden under a ramp leading to another section of the underground path. It looks like if you take your time exploring the game, you’ll be rewarded with combat elements like batteries to power more elaborate attacks.

A Scorching Arsenal Addition

During my playtime, I tested the Zonai Flame Emitter, which could be used as a handheld flamethrower or placed on the ground as a stationary turret. It was especially useful for managing large enemy groups or covering choke points while I focused on melee combat. Experimenting with these tools added a welcome layer of strategy; I wasn’t just slashing through hordes, I was managing energy, placement, and timing.

"I wasn’t just slashing through hordes, I was managing energy, placement, and timing."

For example, I was in a boss fight as Zelda, I popped the Zonai Flame Emitter at their feet, distracted them with the device and flanked them with a devastating melee attack. It’s a feature that feels like a natural extension of Tears of the Kingdom’s invention-based gameplay, now adapted for the high-intensity Musou format, and I really enjoyed the expanded arsenal.

New Sync Strikes: Team Combos Reign Supreme

The Sync Strike system is another major addition to the Warriors formula. As with past entries, each character builds up a special meter during combat. But here, if two compatible heroes have their meters charged simultaneously, they can unleash a joint attack unique to their pairing.

During one of my runs, I triggered a Sync Strike with Zelda and Rauru.

"If two compatible heroes have their meters charged simultaneously, they can unleash a joint attack unique to their pairing."

Together, they fired twin beams of light, one controlled with the left thumbstick, the other with the right, allowing me to sweep across multiple directions at once. The beams eventually merged into a single massive blast that wiped out everything on-screen. It’s gloriously over-the-top and incredibly fun to execute, and can tip the momentum with boss battles in your favour when timed right.

These duo attacks are said to vary across all character pairings, giving players plenty of incentive to experiment with team composition. It’s a small change that adds a surprising amount of depth and replayability.

Performance, Presentation & Sound in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

The first thing I noticed about the game is how all the action was buttery smooth on the Nintendo Switch 2. The framerate stayed consistent, even during the most chaotic enemy swarms. Visually, it’s a clear step up from Age of Calamity. Lighting effects, particle bursts, and character animations looked sharp and fluid.

"Lighting effects, particle bursts, and character animations looked sharp and fluid."

Developers at Koei Tecmo have even noted that the power of the new Nintendo Switch 2 hardware allows for “far greater enemy density” and “stable high frame rates.” This was readily apparent as the experience was technically rock solid in my time with the game. I’m excited to see more variety in the environments and attack patterns when the full experience arrives in November.

Final Thoughts on Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Preview

Walking away from the demo, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Age of Imprisonment is shaping up to be something special. Each character I played as Zelda, Mineru, and Rauru offered a distinct rhythm and strategy. The new systems, from Zonai Devices to Sync Strikes, add layers of creativity and teamwork to the battlefield.

"If the smooth performance and visual fidelity of this demo carry through to launch, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment could easily become one of the best Musou titles yet."

If the smooth performance and visual fidelity of this demo carry through to launch, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment could easily become one of the best Musou titles yet, and a worthy companion piece to Tears of the Kingdom. It’s a promising glimpse at the future of large-scale Zelda storytelling, powered by the Switch 2’s new capabilities and a confident evolution of the Warriors formula. Are you excited for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment? Let me know in the comments below!

---

About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina

Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a video game and tech industry veteran who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. In addition to being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and join in on the fun!

---

 dappertux.com uses affiliate links to provide a way for this website to earn advertising income. The blog may earn a referral commission on purchases made via these links.