Hyrule Warriors is a hack and slash action game set in The Legend of Zelda universe with gameplay very similar to Tecmo Koei Games' Dynasty Warriors series where characters fight in battles against hundreds of enemies at once. The game is set in the Zelda world of Hyrule and you start with Link as a Hylian soldier trainee. The world's evil presence Ganondorf was once defeated and his soul was split into four fragments that were hidden in different places. The game starts with Hyrule castle under attack and rookie Link manages to impress on the battlefield. In the confusion Zelda disappears and Hyrule castle is captured. Link investigates with Zelda's trustee Impa and is given the trademark green outfit, offered to the hero who can restore the balance of the Triforce.
In the main Legend mode Link travels through different environments linked together on a world map, fighting to meet the victory conditions. Other characters are gradually unlocked as well, so it possible to play as Impa, Sheik, Zeda, Lana, Darunia or Fi for instance. Fighting is based on fast combos, often attacking multiple enemies at once, while incoming attacks can be avoided through dodge rolls.
Defeating enemies adds to a global experience level used to level up. It also fills up a yellow attack gauge and when full a powerful attack can be unleashed, often damaging over 50 enemies at once. Picked up magic jars fill up a green magic gauge. When full focus spirit can be activated.
Many large opponents have weak points. Once exposed a weak points gauge meter appears above an enemy and when it has filled up by attacking another powerful move can be performed. Items to collect during battles includes rupees, bonuses for magic, health and items, weapon fragments, vases to destroy for health, materials and temporary item power-ups from enemies.
Levels often contain multiple keeps that keep spawning endless reinforcements when under enemy control. By defeating enemies in such an area a keep meter can be reduced, causing a keep boss to appear. When defeated the keep is controlled, but it can be recaptured. Other levels have outposts with a similar mechanic.
Before starting a level a warrior can be chosen along with weapons of different types, and outfits. Rupees can be spent at the bazar. At the badge market for instance rupees and material can be used to craft attack, defense or assist badges with various enchantments.
Next to the main Legend mode there is an Adventure mode with a map similar to the 8-bit Zelda games. By completing objectives new parts of the grid can be unlocked and there are segments where classic Zelda items are used. The third mode is the Free mode where players can experiment with all available characters freely.
The game supports local cooperative multiplayer, either playing split-screen or with one player using the TV and the other one with an own screen on the GamePad. Off-TV play is also supported for single-player games.
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