Nintendo’s recent Switch 2 Direct broadcast will surely go down in history as one of the greatest showcases the company has ever delivered. While the Direct highlighted the upcoming console itself, fans were shocked by a parade of first- and third-party games—among them some colossal announcements for The Legend of Zelda series.
Not only is The Wind Waker setting sail onto the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube library, but remastered versions of both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are on the horizon as well. These remasters promise higher resolutions, smoother frame rates, and loads of additional features—though Nintendo has teased that more information will come later.
But perhaps the biggest jaw-dropper came with the reveal of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, a spiritual successor to 2020’s Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. As its name implies, Age of Imprisonment dives into one of the most pivotal yet mysterious conflicts in Zelda lore: the Imprisoning War, the ancient battle waged by Hyrule’s first king, Rauru, against the Demon King Ganondorf.
Following in Age of Calamity’s Footsteps
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity set the stage by exploring (in part) the lead-up to Breath of the Wild—although it introduced time-travel elements that spun the canonical story in an alternate direction. By contrast, Age of Imprisonment looks poised to focus squarely on the established history of Tears of the Kingdom, potentially showing events exactly as they happened in Hyrule’s distant past.
The trailer begins by revisiting the ancient Zonai murals depicted in Tears of the Kingdom—the very same murals Link and Zelda discover deep beneath Hyrule Castle at the start of that game. These depict how a powerful Zonai named Rauru and his wife, the Hylian priestess Sonia, founded the kingdom of Hyrule and tried to defend it from an ambitious Ganondorf, the Gerudo king. When Ganondorf kills Queen Sonia and steals her secret stone, he transforms into the Demon King and ignites the war that ravages Hyrule.
At the heart of this story is the “imprisoning” of Ganondorf: a final, desperate act where Rauru sacrifices himself to seal the Demon King underground for millennia. By Tears of the Kingdom’s start, Ganondorf remains captive in that same place—until Link’s discovery of his resting site breaks the seal.
Filling in the Gaps of Zelda’s Journey
The trailer transitions to scenes of Princess Zelda in the distant past, clutching the secret stone that grants her the ability to manipulate time. Viewers see her meet Rauru and Sonia in moments that initially echo Tears of the Kingdom’s earliest memories—yet the footage hints that Age of Imprisonment will expand on these scenes, allowing players to experience Zelda’s entire role in this ancient war.
One highlight is the chance to see Hyrule Castle as it existed in Rauru’s era: perched on what is now the Great Plateau, its architecture noticeably different from the sprawling fortress we know in the modern timeline. The trailer also teases new locations and Zonai-style structures never seen in Tears of the Kingdom, implying Rauru’s kingdom was more extensive and complex than the few glimpses we originally had.
Warriors-Style Action Returns
True to the Hyrule Warriors formula, Age of Imprisonment promises massive battles, colossal enemy hordes, and fast-paced action. We see Rauru himself wielding a Zonai spear capable of blasts of golden light—an extension of the same magic that later powers Link’s abilities in Tears of the Kingdom. Meanwhile, Ganondorf looms menacingly, sporting a smile eerily reminiscent of his Twilight Princess incarnation.
Rauru’s sister, Mineru (called “Minou” in the trailer’s captions), is also showcased. She’s seen in the depths riding what appears to be a small, wheel-like device while battling a Frox. Her attacks revolve around building and commanding constructs—skills she was implied to have mastered eons before Tears of the Kingdom.
Most exciting of all, Princess Zelda herself takes up a Zonai sword glowing with her distinct power of light and time manipulation. She uses telekinetic slashes and an ability resembling Recall to reverse the flow of attacks, demonstrating a combination of Rauru’s power and her inherited time-bending magic. Even classic enemies like Lynels appear, equipped with ancient-looking weapons that further reinforce this primordial setting.
The Seven Ancient Sages
Another key moment from the trailer reveals a group shot of seven sages, including Rauru, Mineru, and Zelda, alongside representatives from the Rito, Gerudo, Zora, and Goron peoples. While Tears of the Kingdom only hints at the identities and personalities of these ancient sages, Age of Imprisonment promises the opportunity to learn their names and see them in action. The new game will likely detail their relationships, how they receive their secret stones, and their roles in the final battle that seals the Demon King.
The footage ends with a breathtaking co-op attack by Rauru and Zelda. Their combined strike unleashes a brilliant flash of golden light—an apt reflection of the “hands and unity” theme established in Tears of the Kingdom. It suggests that Age of Imprisonment could include tag-team maneuvers or other mechanics built around pairing up legendary heroes on the battlefield.
A Canonical History Lesson?
One of the more divisive elements of Age of Calamity was its alternate timeline storyline. However, Age of Imprisonment is specifically described in the trailer as “the story leading into Tears of the Kingdom,” rather than a spin-off that loosely ties into mainline lore. Because the original Imprisoning War canonically ends with Rauru’s victory—and a costly sacrifice—there’s no inherent need for a more optimistic rewrite or an alternate timeline.
If the developers stay faithful to the backstory we see in Tears of the Kingdom, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment could deliver exactly what fans felt was lacking: a deeper exploration of Rauru’s Hyrule, the Demon King’s rise, and Zelda’s fully realized role in the ancient era. In other words, it could indeed be “the story leading into Tears of the Kingdom.”
Final Thoughts
With Age of Imprisonment, Nintendo is poised to finally flesh out a key legend that has only been hinted at through Zonai murals and fleeting memories. The prospect of watching Rauru’s kingdom come to life—and taking part in the battles that shaped Hyrule’s future—is a thrilling one for Zelda devotees.
Between new gameplay footage showing Rauru’s spear, Zelda’s time-enhanced swordsmanship, and the full might of the seven sages united, the stakes have never been higher for a Hyrule Warriors spin-off. If Nintendo follows through on the promise of telling “the story leading into Tears of the Kingdom,” fans could be in for one of the most lore-rich, immersive Zelda experiences yet.
For a visual preview of the game, you can watch the official announcement trailer here:
Whether you’re a longtime series veteran eager to learn about the fabled first king and queen of Hyrule or a newcomer enthralled by Tears of the Kingdom’s secrets, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment could be the perfect chance to see this ancient war in all its glory—no alternate timelines required. All eyes are on Nintendo to see just how deep into Zelda’s history we’re about to dive.
