"Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Coming to Nintendo Switch 2"

The Nintendo Switch 2 wouldn't be complete without a Zelda title, and the latest addition is not what fans might have anticipated. During today's Nintendo Direct, it was revealed that Koei Tecmo is developing a new entry in the Hyrule Warriors series: a prequel to Tears of the Kingdom titled Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, set to launch this winter.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment dives into the ancient history of Tears of the Kingdom, featuring characters like Zelda, Rauru, Sonia, and other Secret Stone holders. The game explores Zelda's journey after she travels back in time, where she allies with the last Zonai, Rauru, his sister Mineru, and his wife Sonia, to combat Ganondorf and his forces.

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 - Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment

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The trailer showcased the unique abilities of the champions, including Mineru piloting her mech, Zelda wielding her magic, Rauru with his impressive sword-spear, and a brief look at the other Sacred Stone wielders in action.

This marks the third installment in the Hyrule Warriors series, following the original Hyrule Warriors and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, which served as a prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Age of Calamity was particularly notable for its fresh take on the Breath of the Wild narrative, earning a 9/10 rating from us for being "a joy to play and discover" and "a blast from start to finish."

It will be fascinating to see if Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment will also take creative liberties with the Tears of the Kingdom storyline. For a comprehensive rundown of all the announcements from today's Nintendo Direct, click here.