Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Review—A Triumph on Nintendo Switch

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Review—A Triumph on Nintendo Switch Released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on November 20, 2020, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is both a dynamic action RPG and a critical entry in The Legend of Zelda franchise.

Developed by Koei Tecmo Games in collaboration with Omega Force and Nintendo’s Zelda Team, this installment serves as a prequel to the acclaimed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, immersing fans in the events leading up to Hyrule’s fall to Calamity Ganon. A Return to a Familiar, Yet Transformed Hyrule Age of Calamity delivers a fresh yet nostalgic experience, inviting players to revisit Hyrule at a pivotal moment in its history.

The game shines a spotlight on the kingdom’s attempts to thwart Calamity Ganon’s awakening, the heroic—if desperate—efforts of the Divine Beasts and their Champions, and Princess Zelda's struggle to unlock her latent powers.

These narrative threads are tightly woven into the game’s robust musou-style combat, offering players both emotional resonance and exhilarating action. Expanding the Lore of Breath of the Wild While The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild offered brief glimpses into the past through its collectible Memories, Age of Calamity seizes the opportunity to provide a deeper look at this era.

Thanks to seamless collaboration between Koei Tecmo Games, Omega Force, and the Zelda Team, players are treated to cinematic storytelling from the very first cutscene.

As Hyrule Castle succumbs to Ganon’s forces, a small Guardian reacts to Zelda’s unyielding wish to protect her people, activating a Gate of Time that sets the stage for a time-traveling adventure. Familiar Gameplay, Unique Twists Fans of musou titles such as Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition and Fire Emblem Warriors will recognize the core gameplay formula: sweeping through hordes of enemies, capturing outposts, escorting allies, and battling formidable bosses.

However, Age of Calamity distinguishes itself with character-specific abilities; each hero boasts a Unique Action, executed with the ZR Button.

Link, for instance, fires a barrage of arrows, while Daruk can detonate summoned magma.

Impa applies Sheikah symbols to enemies, then absorbs them to create duplicates of herself.

The integration of Sheikah Slate abilities—Stasis, Remote Bomb, Cryonis, and Magnesis—emerges as a tactical necessity in intense engagements. Extensive Content and Meaningful Progression Abandoning the retro-themed Adventure Mode from its predecessor, Age of Calamity fills its world map with Quests and Challenges, rewarding diligent players with bonuses such as new character abilities, extra hearts, or merchant access.

These tasks often require gathering a range of resources including Ingredients, Monster Parts, and Ancient technology. Challenges, on the other hand, present combat scenarios with specific limitations—often restricting playable characters or imposing harsher win conditions—encouraging players to continually hone their skills. Long-Term Value and Weapon Enhancement Spanning dozens of hours, Age of Calamity offers an impressive volume of content.

Even after 39 hours of play, completion rates may still hover around the 33 percent mark, thanks to higher-level post-story challenges.

Weapon progression is central to gameplay, with the Hylian Blacksmith Guild allowing the fusion of arms to increase their potency, an essential strategy against escalating threats. Performance and Technical Considerations While optimized for Nintendo Switch, Age of Calamity is not without technical blemishes.

As noted by players and reviewers, large-scale battles and particularly the sequences involving the Divine Beasts can lead to brief frame rate dips and on-screen pop-in.

Despite this, the core gameplay remains consistently thrilling and engaging. An Essential Expansion to Zelda Lore Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity distinguishes itself from previous spin-offs by delivering a story-driven, impactful prequel to Breath of the Wild.

It masterfully marries fast-paced musou action with meaningful storytelling, enriching the lore of one of Nintendo’s most revered franchises.

Whether you’re a die-hard Zelda fan, a lover of the musou genre, or simply seeking a content-rich action experience for Nintendo Switch, Age of Calamity stands among the platform’s most triumphant releases.

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