Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Review — A Solid Spin on the Musou Formula

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity puts players back in the shoes of Link, Zelda and the rest of the cast from Breath of the Wild, but this time they fight through hordes of enemies instead of wandering a vast open world. The game is a prequel to that beloved adventure, set a century before the events of Breath of the Wild, and it uses the hack-and-slash formula of the Musou genre to tell its story. It is a solid, occasionally brilliant spin on a familiar template, though it does not reinvent the wheel.

Trailer, via Nintendo of America.

The Story of the Calamity

The narrative follows the fall of Hyrule, a catastrophe that sends the kingdom into ruin and sets the stage for Breath of the Wild’s timeline. Players move through chapters centered around key characters, including Link, Impa, Princess Zelda and others, each with their own missions and battles. The story is told in brief cutscenes between fights, and it does a decent job of building tension and character moments without slowing down the action.

The pacing is strong, and the game keeps introducing new threats and locations to keep things fresh. The final stretch, which leads directly into the events of Breath of the Wild, is particularly well done, tying the story together in a satisfying way. Anyone who enjoyed Breath of the Wild will find plenty of familiar territory here, from recognizable locations to callbacks to the original game’s lore.

Combat That Holds Up

The core combat is where Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity shines brightest. Players can choose from a wide roster of characters, each with their own weapon types and special moves. Link wields swords, Zelda uses magic, and other characters bring unique abilities to the battlefield. The combat system is simple to grasp but deep enough to reward practice, with combos, dodges and special attacks that feel powerful and effective.

The game introduces a stamina bar that limits how long characters can attack, adding a layer of risk and reward to combat. Players must manage their energy while chaining attacks and avoiding enemy counterattacks. This addition gives the combat a sense of urgency that the standard Musou formula often lacks.

The game also features a focus mechanic borrowed from Breath of the Wild. Pressing a button allows players to slow down time and target enemies for precise attacks. It is a clever touch that fits the setting and adds depth to the combat. Overall, the fighting feels tight and responsive, even during chaotic battles against large groups of enemies.

A World Worth Exploring

The game’s stages are based on familiar locations from Breath of the Wild, and they are rendered with care. Fields, shrines and ruins look distinct, and the art direction captures the melancholic tone of a fallen kingdom. While the levels are smaller than the open world of Breath of the Wild, they are packed with secrets, collectibles and optional paths to explore.

The game encourages players to search for rupees, hearts and other items hidden throughout each stage. This exploration is a welcome break from the constant fighting, and it gives the levels a sense of discovery. Some stages also feature side quests that expand the story beyond the main missions, adding replay value for players who want to see everything.

The game also includes a mode called Hero Mode, which lets players revisit completed stages with stronger enemies and challenges. It is a nice bonus for those who want to test their skills further.

Multiplayer and Modes

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity supports up to four players in co-op, allowing friends to team up and tackle the game’s tougher battles together. The multiplayer mode is a fun addition, especially for players who enjoy cooperative play. It is a solid feature, though it does not add much to the single-player experience beyond letting players share the screen with friends.

The game also includes a Gauntlet mode, which presents waves of enemies in a survival-style challenge. This mode is a good way to test skills and earn rewards, but it is not essential for the main story. The mode is a minor addition, but it provides a change of pace for players who want something different.

Presentation and Performance

The presentation is generally strong, with smooth animations and a soundtrack that matches the dramatic tone of the story. The game runs at a steady frame rate on the Switch, which is impressive given the amount of content and the complexity of the battles. There were occasional slowdowns in the busiest battles, but they were rare enough not to detract from the overall experience.

The game’s difficulty is balanced well, offering a mix of easy and challenging encounters. The game scales its difficulty automatically, making it accessible to newcomers while still providing a challenge for veterans. The game does not overwhelm players with too many enemies at once, which helps keep the action manageable.

There are a few rough edges, mostly in the form of repetitive enemy designs and some filler missions that feel like padding. These moments are minor compared to the strengths of the game, but they are noticeable enough to mention. The game’s presentation is a strength, but it is not perfect.

Ranking the Best Missions

Here is a quick rundown of the standout missions, ranked by how memorable they are:

1. The final mission, which ties directly into Breath of the Wild’s events.
2. The mission that introduces the game’s focus mechanic.
3. The mission that brings Link and Zelda together for a major storyline moment.
4. The mission that features a massive boss fight.
5. The mission that revisits a familiar location from Breath of the Wild.

These missions stand out because they deliver the best storytelling and combat in the game. They are the moments that make Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity feel essential for fans of the franchise.

Final Verdict

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a solid entry in the Musou genre that benefits greatly from its connection to Breath of the Wild. The combat is engaging, the story is well told, and the presentation is polished. It is not a revolution for the genre, but it is a strong example of how a licensed game can honor its source material while delivering a satisfying standalone experience.

The game’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses, and it offers a compelling package for players who enjoy action games or are looking for more Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity content. It is a game that respects its source material and delivers on its promises.

The score is 8 of 10.

Breath of the Wild · game review · Hyrule Warriors · Musou · Nintendo Switch