Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is the first new Zelda franchise game released after Nintendo Switch 2 launched, and it surprised Tom’s Guide writer Rory Mellon. That does not make it a new mainline Zelda adventure: it is a combat-focused spin-off about the Imprisoning War, and Mellon’s praise was an early personal reaction rather than a final review.
Why this is Switch 2’s first new Zelda game
Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025. Its launch-era Zelda releases were enhanced editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom—upgrades to existing games, not new Zelda stories. Nintendo described smoother frame rates, faster loading and improved graphics for those editions in its Switch 2 launch announcement. Nintendo’s 2025 launch schedule also listed Age of Imprisonment among planned Switch 2 software.
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Age of Imprisonment arrived on November 6, 2025, roughly five months after the console’s debut. It is therefore the first new Zelda franchise game after launch—not the first Zelda software available on Switch 2.
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It is a Hyrule Warriors action spin-off developed by Koei Tecmo Games with Nintendo support, and it is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. Rather than centering exploration and puzzle-solving, it focuses on large-scale battles against hordes of enemies. Nintendo describes it as telling the previously untold story of the Imprisoning War, which led to the events of Tears of the Kingdom, in its official announcement.
#1 Best Overall
- Explore the land and skies of Hyrule—now enhanced for the Nintendo Switch 2 system!
- Unleash your imagination by using your abilities in surprising and creative ways
- Support your journey with ZELDA NOTES on the Nintendo Switch app
Nintendo and TechRadar present the story as part of Zelda lore; TechRadar describes the game as a prequel to Tears of the Kingdom. Its combat also draws on familiar elements from that game, including Fuse-inspired attacks and Zonai-related mechanics. That makes the setting and story relevant to Zelda fans, even though the moment-to-moment play is closer to a crowd-battling action game than a mainline adventure.
Why it surprised Rory Mellon
In his November 23, 2025 Tom’s Guide feature, Mellon says he generally prefers the exploration and puzzles of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Even so, after a short initial session with Age of Imprisonment, he found himself eager to continue playing. His surprise is about the game’s appeal to him despite its different genre—not a claim that it reproduces the mainline Zelda experience.
Rank #2
- Battle hordes of enemies in the untold story of the Imprisoning War
Mellon’s piece is an early impression after a couple of hours, and he explicitly says he cannot yet give the game a final review score. It is useful as one player’s reaction, not as a verdict for every Zelda fan.
What a later review adds
TechRadar reviewer Rhys Wood reported playing for 30 hours in a later review. He praised the combat systems, character roster and generally strong performance, while also pointing to drawbacks: some enemies can feel spongey, defensive battles can become repetitive, and the story misses opportunities. He also noted that Zelda herself recedes from the story at points. These are Wood’s assessments, not a universal consensus.
Rank #3
- Step into a world of adventure—now enhanced for the Nintendo Switch 2 system!
- Use your ingenuity to survive and thrive in Hyrule
- Support your journey with ZELDA NOTES on the Nintendo Switch app
That fuller review gives the early enthusiasm some context. The game’s combat and roster can be a strong draw, but its mission structure and storytelling may be less satisfying. Readers choosing between it and a mainline Zelda should weigh that trade-off rather than treating the shared setting as a promise of the same kind of game.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Enhanced resolution, framerates, and load times optimized for Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore a massive open-air version of Hyrule with complete freedom.
- Solve physics-based puzzles, survive dynamic weather, and uncover hidden secrets.
- Customize your adventure with weapons, gear, and food you craft yourself.
- Use the ZELDA NOTES app for bonuses, item sharing, and social features.
Rank #4
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Is it the right Zelda game for you?
| Question | What the evidence supports |
|---|---|
| Is it a mainline Zelda game? | No. It is a Hyrule Warriors spin-off focused on large-scale action battles. |
| Is its story connected to Tears of the Kingdom? | Yes. It covers the Imprisoning War that led to Tears of the Kingdom and is presented by Nintendo and TechRadar as part of Zelda lore. |
| Is it more like Zelda or Dynasty Warriors? | Its world, story and references belong to Zelda, but its combat emphasis is the defining difference from exploration-and-puzzle-focused mainline games. |
| Does Mellon’s reaction mean every Zelda fan will enjoy it? | No. It is an early personal impression; TechRadar’s later review adds both praise and specific criticisms. |
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