The Tokyo Game Show 2025 (TGS2025) was held at Makuhari Messe from Thursday, September 25 to Sunday, September 28, 2025. This report covers our hands-on experience with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and Nioh 3 at the Koei Tecmo Games booth!
Hands-on Impressions of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and Nioh 3 at the Koei Tecmo Booth!
Koei Tecmo Games offered playable demos for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Nioh 3, and NINJA GAIDEN 4! Our editorial team tried out Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and Nioh 3!
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Depicts the Past of Tears of the Kingdom
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is the newest installment in the Hyrule Warriors series for the Nintendo Switch 2, scheduled for release on Thursday, November 6, 2025. It depicts the world of the past and the ancient Imprisoning War from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Princess Zelda meets Rauru, the first King of Hyrule, a character also featured prominently in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Since it is related to the story of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, we will not go into detail, but the game's plot seems to revolve around Princess Zelda.
In addition to controlling multiple playable characters in battle, this title also features action that significantly utilizes Zonai devices.
By using the Zonai device Flame Emitter, you can release flames forward to set a large number of enemies ablaze. Wiping out weaker enemies is exhilarating.
We fought the Captain Construct while controlling Rauru.
Mineru excels at fighting by skillfully utilizing Constructs, vehicles, and Zonai devices.
Mineru continuously moves by dashing on a small tire. This tire has a hitbox, allowing her to clear out small enemies just by running over them.
Sync Strike is a new action that allows you to unleash a powerful attack with a nearby ally. These new elements—Zonai devices and Sync Strike—further enhance the Hyrule Warriors experience.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is drawing attention, having also won an award in the Future Division of the Japan Game Awards 2025, which was announced on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
The public playtest was finally opened, and above all, the great feel of a game built for the Nintendo Switch 2 was clearly conveyed. The high resolution and stable frame rate boost the exhilaration of the Musou action and allow you to fully immerse yourself in the gameplay. While it remains to be seen how many users will successfully acquire a Nintendo Switch 2 by the release on Thursday, November 6, 2025, there is no doubt that this game will fully demonstrate the console's capabilities as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive title.
Nioh 3: A New Title After Five Years
Nioh 3 is scheduled for release on Friday, February 6, 2026. I must admit I have never played the Nioh series, but I'm still confident in my gaming skills. Therefore, seeking a strong opponent, I challenged Takeda Shingen. I'm definitely not doing this just for the original T-shirt you get for defeating Takeda Shingen!
Nioh 3 is a Sengoku Souls-like game where you can switch between two combat styles: Samurai and Ninja. I started with the orthodox Samurai style to face the enemy directly in a one-on-one duel.
Oops.
Undeterred, I transformed into a Ninja this time and challenged the enemy again. I overwhelmed them with a rapid flurry of attacks using my quick movements and somehow managed to defeat the mid-boss. It seems the Ninja style suits me better.
Passing through the imposing gate, Takeda Shingen appeared. I attempted to challenge the Tiger of Kai, Takeda Shingen, in his grotesque form.
Ugh.
There's still time! With rematches allowed any number of times within the time limit, I tried to steadily work on a strategy while memorizing the enemy's movements.
Ughh.
Aaahh!!!
And so, after being repeatedly pummeled to death by Takeda Shingen, my dream of defeating him—and getting the T-shirt—was finally crushed.
The latest title, Nioh 3, features an open field for the first time in the series. The path to victory is not linear.
If you find it difficult to proceed, exploring the surrounding areas or taking an entirely different path may lead to new equipment and skills, which can offer a clue for your strategy.
I was recklessly drawn in by the T-shirt bonus for clearing the demo and challenged Takeda Shingen, but the result was a miserable defeat. My chance for revenge will have to wait until the game's release on Friday, February 6, 2026.
Nioh 3 TGS Official Program Also Aired
The Nioh 3 TGS Official Program was broadcast on Thursday, September 25, 2025, the first day of the Tokyo Game Show 2025. General Producer Fumihiko Yasuda and Producer Kohei Shibata introduced an overview of Nioh 3, and special interviews with Tao Tsuchiya, who plays Himiko, and Kanata Hongo, who plays Kunimatsu Tokugawa, were also revealed.