PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteYes—if you want the Imprisoning War behind The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom expanded into a story-driven, horde-action game. No—if by “companion” you mean another open-world Zelda adventure. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment fills in events Nintendo says were briefly alluded to in Tears of the Kingdom, but its battles and mission structure make it a different kind of game. It is listed for Nintendo Switch 2 only.
How it connects to Tears of the Kingdom
Nintendo presents Age of Imprisonment as the story of Ganondorf’s invasion and the Imprisoning War—the ancient conflict glimpsed in Tears of the Kingdom’s past-era story. Nintendo calls it the “untold story” of that war on its official game page. TechRadar and GamesRadar describe it as a canonical prequel, but that characterization is the reviewers’ framing; Nintendo’s own pages establish the connection to the events shown in Tears of the Kingdom.
The appeal is the chance to spend more time with Zelda, Rauru, Sonia, Mineru and Hyrule’s peoples during that conflict. If you finished Tears of the Kingdom wanting a fuller account of the war and its characters, this is a direct extension of that interest—not a new mainline plot set in a comparable open world.
What playing it is like
Nintendo’s description is straightforward: “Battle hordes of enemies in the untold story of the Imprisoning War!” The game is built around Warriors-style combat against large groups, rather than the exploration-led play and open-world systems associated with Tears of the Kingdom. The shared setting and story do not make the two games mechanically interchangeable.
#1 Best Overall
- Battle hordes of enemies in the untold story of the Imprisoning War Fight the war for Ancient Hyrule! Step on to the battlefield as Princess Zelda, King Rauru, and other legendary heroes as you fight to reclaim your homeland—and live the story of Demon King Ganondorf’s invasion that was only briefly alluded to in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game.
- Fight alongside new and familiar heroes to defend Hyrule from the Demon King Princess Zelda is not alone in this war! Join Mineru, the Sages, and even some brand-new heroes in battles against Ganondorf’s forces. Combine powerful Zonai Devices with your heroes’ signature abilities to take down powerful bosses and their legions of minions.
- Use save data from Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to get additional weapons If you have save data from the Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity game on your system when you play, you’ll receive a Eminent Guard’s Claymore. If you have save data from the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game, you receive a Eminent Guard’s Sword. These weapons can be redeemed after returning to the Hyrule map upon completion of The Howling Tempest mission.
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
That distinction matters most if you are choosing the game for its missions as well as its lore. GamesRadar praises the combat spectacle and performance but criticizes missions as often linear and straightforward, with limited battlefield scope. Those are the reviewer’s judgments, not a universal verdict; they point to a real expectation to set, though: this is focused action, not an invitation to roam a new Hyrule at your own pace.
What reviews praise—and what they question
TechRadar reviewer Rhys Wood published his review on November 4, 2025, after 30 hours with the game. He praised its combat, character roster and progression, while wishing for more character development and more moments centered on Zelda. His stated playthrough covered the campaign and roughly 60–70% of side missions and activities; that describes his review experience, not a completion-time estimate for other players.
Rank #2
![Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41QYVf1rHEL._SL160_.jpg)
- Nintendo Switch 2 system must initiate GameShare session.
- Users who receive software via GameShare can only play the software during the session in which it was shared.
- Shared game will not be playable after the session ends.
- Nintendo Switch 2 and GameChat required for each user engaging in GameShare via GameChat. Internet, Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online features, including GameChat. During the GameChat open-access period, GameChat can be used without a membership.
- Not available in all countries. Terms and GameChat requirements apply. support.nintendo.com.
GamesRadar also highlighted the action, Zelda’s role, performance and additional story material, while finding the mission design too linear and straightforward. Taken together, the reviews give a useful way to judge fit: the combat and story expansion drew praise, while mission variety and character development were areas of reservation. The emphasis differs by reviewer, so neither assessment should be treated as a settled consensus.
Platform, co-op and save-data bonuses
Nintendo lists Age of Imprisonment for Nintendo Switch 2 only. Its product page also lists local two-player co-op and GameShare. Nintendo says one copy is enough for two people to play through those options, subject to GameShare and online-feature requirements; check the product page for the applicable conditions. Compatible amiibo can grant in-game items, but amiibo are not presented as a requirement to play.
Rank #3
- The Gaping Dragon Expansion adds new encounter cards which provide larger battles than ever before in Dark Souls: The Board Game
- Your fate has led you to the winding corridors of the flooded and labyrinthine Depths, distant from the light of the sun.
- Here you find the Gaping Dragon, an abomination hideously transformed by its ravenous hunger
- The tremendous scale of these encounters creates a whole new level of peril to you and your party. Are you up to the challenge?
- Gaping Dragon, Mega Boss Game Board, 4x Level 4 Encounter Cards, 15x Boss Behaviour and Data Cards, 2x Boss Treasure Cards Gaping Dragon Boss Dial, 4x Corrosion Tokens, Rules Leaflet
Nintendo also lists weapons tied to save data from two earlier games:
| Existing save data | Bonus in Age of Imprisonment | When it can be redeemed |
|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | High Guard’s Sword | After completing “The Howling Tempests” mission and returning to the Hyrule map |
| Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity | High Guard’s Claymore | After completing “The Howling Tempests” mission and returning to the Hyrule map |
These are listed as bonuses for eligible save data, not as reasons to buy either earlier game. Nintendo’s US store page identifies a physical edition; price and stock can change, so check the retailer listing before purchasing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who should play it?
- Play it if you want to see more of the Imprisoning War and are happy for that story to unfold through horde-action battles.
- Temper expectations if you value open exploration above combat missions, or want more character development than the reviewers found.
- Check your hardware first: Nintendo lists it for Switch 2, not the original Nintendo Switch.
Current content and version note
Nintendo Support lists version 1.0.3, released December 17, 2025. Its listed additions include Phantom Ganon, Forbidden difficulty, postgame challenges and quests, alongside other changes. See Nintendo Support’s update notes for the version details. Update availability and the latest version can change, so consult that page for current status.
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