Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (ゼルダ無双 厄災の黙示録, Zelda Musou Yakusai no Mokushiroku) is a hack and slash video game for the Nintendo Switch developed by Koei Tecmo Games and Omega Force and published by Koei Tecmo in Japan and by Nintendo worldwide. It is a sequel to 2014's Hyrule Warriors in terms of gameplay, but is seen as a prequel of sorts to 2017's The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The game was released on November 20, 2020. Unlike the previous Hyrule Warriors which was a celebration of the Zelda franchise and had it's own original story, Koei have worked closely with Nintendo to ensure that the story and gameplay mechanics are fully canonised within the Breath of the Wild continuity.

The game itself takes place in an alternate continuity, created when a Diminutive Guardian from the original timeline travels back in time to avert the damage of the Great Calamity.

Gameplay
Like the previous Hyrule Warriors, Age of Calamity mixes the hack and slash gameplay of Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors series of video games with settings, characters, and other elements from Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series. In addition to retaining the combat, material crafting, and weapon-upgrade systems from Hyrule Warriors, the game incorporates environmental puzzle solving and the use of the Sheikah Slate tool from Breath of the Wild. Confirmed playable characters include Link, Princess Zelda, the Four Champions – Daruk, Mipha, Revali, and Urbosa – and the Sheikah warrior, Impa. The game will also feature compatibility with Nintendo's amiibo figures, with figures of the Four Champions re-releasing alongside the game.

Compared to Breath of the Wild, the game is not completely open-world but still rewards the player for completing missions and side quests in specific areas of Hyrule. The weapon durability system is also removed (in the original Breath of the Wild, all weapons except the Master Sword were breakable, and even that had a durability mechanic in the form of charges). Also, compared to the previous Hyrule Warriors, the Badge and Fairy systems are also removed, with quests now giving the rewards of added combos and Hearts. Battlefields are redesigned similar to One piece: Pirate Warriors 4 to have a more naturalistic feel and less of an emphasis on securing strongholds and regular bases like it's predecessor.

Plot
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" !align="left"| Warning: The contents of this section contain MASSIVE SPOILERS related to the story of this game. Read at your own loss of enjoyment.

Prologue
The story opens in the midst of the Great Calamity, hours after Calamity Ganon breaks free from under Hyrule Castle, corrupting almost every Guardian, and laying ruin to Hyrule. Princess Zelda is defending a gravely wounded Link from a pack of Guardians, in the process awakening her inherent sealing powers.

In response to this, a small, white, uncorrupted, Diminutive Guardian whirs to life and escapes a crate in Zelda’s quarters. Sensing Zelda's wish to protect everyone, the Diminutive Guardian creates a portal to travel back in time to before the Calamity. As it prepares to enter, a corrupted Guardian appears, aiming at the Diminutive Guardian and missing several shots. The Diminutive Guardian then enters the portal intent on rewriting history, followed closely by some of Ganon's Malice.

The Battle of Hyrule Field
The Diminutive Guardian emerges deactivated in Hyrule Field, when, in the nearby Hyrule Castle, King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule is rallying an army of Hylian soldiers in preparation for an upcoming battle against a large army of monsters. Among these soldiers is the extremely talented Link, who quickly proves his worth by slaying a Moblin and capturing multiple key locations.

The army then receives a report that the princess's aide was spotted on the battlefield. Link hurries to the spot, seeing Impa, a Sheikah and the aide to Princess Zelda, being pursued by a small horde of Bokoblins. Impa drops the Sheikah Slate she is holding, reactivating the nearby Diminutive Guardian. Link catches the Slate and charges toward the monsters, but before either side could deal a blow to the other, the Guardian raises a Sheikah Tower right under the monster horde, much Impa and Link's shock.

The Diminutive Guardian continues to follow Link while he and Impa continue to work together to fend off the rest of the monsters. Eventually the Hylians win the battle. In the aftermath, Impa contemplates the mysterious tower and Guardian. The Diminutive Guardian then runs off in the direction of Hyrule Castle, prompting Impa and Link to follow it.

The trio arrive to King Rhoam congratulating the soldiers on a well-fought and won battle. As everyone else leaves, Impa stays with Link and the Guardian, meeting Princess Zelda shortly afterwards. Impa delivers the Sheikah Slate to her, just before the Diminutive Guardian rushes toward the princess, with the kneeling Link rushing to catch it. The Sheikah Slate then reveals the Guardian's purpose for being there, and Link is appointed as Zelda's bodyguard in recognition of his role in the battle, receiving a letter from King Rhoam imploring him to uncover the Diminutive Guardian's backstory.

Road to the Ancient Lab
Link, Impa, and Zelda head to the Royal Lab with a small group of soldiers to meet with renowned Sheikah researchers Robbie and Purah over the Diminutive Guardian. Along the way, Impa tries unsuccessfully to touch it, and Zelda ponders its attachment to her. As she tells the group to keep going, the Diminutive Guardian starts beeping rapidly much like a warning siren, alerting Link to a strand of Malice corrupting a nearby Guardian, which aims at Zelda. Just as Zelda realizes what is happening, Link blocks and deflects the beam, stunning the Guardian. The group stands in confusion before running off, only to be intercepted by monsters.

Link and Impa escort Zelda to a nearby outpost in the area. Just as they arrive, however, the corrupted Guardian breaks in, forcing them to move to a different outpost. As they contemplate their options, the Diminutive Guardian activates a nearby ruined Guardian, which fires a the corrupted one. Realizing what they must do, the trio sets off to activate the other Guardians in the area. In the midst of this Zelda decides to act on the situation, using the Sheikah Slate to participate in the battle. Eventually, the corrupted Guardian is destroyed and the party continues on their way.

While much of the Diminutive Guardian's data is encrypted, Robbie and Purah are able to extract photos of the collateral damage caused by the Great Calamity, indicating that their efforts to counter it should be taken more seriously. Link, Impa, Zelda, and the Diminutive Guardian return to Hyrule Castle, where Zelda informs King Rhoam of their decision to have the Diminutive Guardian accompany the group. In response, the King of Hyrule reminds his daughter that her duties as Princess of Hyrule are more important than research and technology, before sending the group off.

Chapter 2
The Divine Beasts are four massive mechanical animals built by the Sheikah to help counter the first Great Calamity 9,900 years ago. Each was piloted by a Champion from the other races of Hyrule, namely the Zora, Goron, Rito, and Gerudo. As part of their plan to counter the second Great Calamity, Hyrule follows their ancestors' footsteps in using the Divine Beasts to assist Link and Zelda in sealing away the Calamity. Link, Zelda, Impa, and the Diminutive Guardian set off to meet with the four candidates in each of the four corners of the land.

Mipha, the Zora Princess
The long-lived Zora live in the resplendent Zora's Domain, located in the Lanayru region. Adepts in spears and swimming, their beloved princess Mipha, a skilled spearwoman and gifted with magical healing abilities, is chosen to pilot the Divine Beast Vah Ruta. ago. Each was piloted by a Champion from the other races of Hyrule, namely the Zora, Goron, Rito, and Gerudo. As part of their plan to counter the second Great Calamity, Hyrule follows their ancestors' footsteps in using the Divine Beasts to assist Link and Zelda in sealing away Zelda manages to gain an audience with the Zora King and Mipha's father Dorephan over the proposition. Noting the large dangers of the mission, King Dorephan refuses to allow the mission. Just afterwards, a Zora Soldier appears to bring news.

Meanwhile, Mipha reunites with her childhood friend Link, noting that despite growing much since they had last met, he has not truly changed. She then turns her attention to the Diminutive Guardian, whom she finds cute. A Zora Soldier then runs in with the same news of a monster attack coming from nearby Polymus Mountain. Upon being asked of Mipha's father, he informs them that Dorephan is leading the army to intercept, saying he thought the prince was with Mipha. Realizing Prince Sidon is missing, Link and Mipha enter the battlefield looking for Mipha's younger brother.

As Mipha, Zelda, and Link cross the battlefield rescuing the Zora, struggling against the Electric monsters pitted against them, they receive information that Sidon was spotted on Polymus Mountain. Reaching the summit, they find the young prince trying to fight a Lynel alone. Noticing the group, the Lynel engages in battle against them, but is driven off by them.

Embracing her brother, Mipha scolds Sidon on his foolishness in fighting such a beast alone, but still complimenting his bravery in doing so. Just then, the Diminutive Guardian sounds its warning siren, directing their attention to the Zora fighting a losing battle. The Sheikah Slate then glows, displaying a map of the Divine Beast.

Down below, King Dorephan is trying to rally the losing soldiers. The Zora King engages a Moblin in battle, only to be surprised by an Electric Moblin. Just before it can attack, a large spear made of ice hits it. Dorephan turns around to see Divine Beast Vah Ruta, Mipha standing on top. Turning the tide of the battle, Mipha witnesses the might of a Divine Beast, destroying large rock formations and wiping out hordes of monsters.

In the aftermath of the battle, Dorephan realizes that the Zora cannot ignore the threat of the Great Calamity, granting his permission for Mipha to pilot the Divine Beast Vah Ruta, on the condition that she come back safely.

Daruk, the Goron Hero
The Gorons live relatively simple lives in the Eldin region, full of volcanoes and lava. Their chief, strongest member, and the possessor of a magical shield power, Daruk, is chosen as a candidate for the role of Piloting the Divine Beast Vah Rudania.

Daruk quickly agrees to Zelda's proposition, although bringing up the fact that Rudania is located on Death Mountain, which is swarming with monsters. Noting that only the bravest dare to climb the mountain, he expresses his excitement at the brave group about to climb the mountain.

However, they quickly end up delaying the climb when news is received of the backup army engaged in battle with monsters. Daruk, Link, and the rest of the group spend much time in a long battle with the monsters as a result before they are able to make the climb proper.

At the top of Death Mountain, Daruk looks at the massive Vah Rudania, and jumps right in. Struggling at first, Daruk eventually manages to get the hang of the Divine Beast and lays waste to the remaining monsters in the area.

After the monsters are eradicated, Daruk meets up with Zelda and agrees to pilot the Divine Beast. Then, thinking Link is starving from the fighting, Daruk offers him a Prime Rock Roast, which Link starts to eat.

Revali, the Rito Warrior
The Rito live in the chilly Tabantha Region, blessed with the power of flight and their skill with the bow and arrow. The cocky but extremely talented Revali, who has perfected the art of creating an upward draft, is chosen from among their ranks to pilot the Divine Beast Vah Medoh.

Zelda stays behind as Link and the Diminutive Guardian head towards Rito Village. They are spotted by a group of Rito who believe them to be hostile, reporting to Revali at Rito Village, who has soldiers deployed to defend the village from the raid.

Despite the many defenses used, including destroying a bridge, Link and his companion manage to enter the village, with Revali coming out as a last resort to face them himself, all the while mocking them for their inability to fly.

Eventually, Revali manages to catch Link in the explosion of multiple Bomb Arrows, and is then able to get behind him, preparing to fire an arrow. Just then, Zelda appears and stops the fighting, with the arrow being deflected by Link and landing harmlessly in the ground

Revali tells the group that he had attacked due to monster raids having been led by a Guardian that appeared to look like the Diminutive Guardian. Zelda quickly comes to understand, keeping in mind that the Guardian may be connected to the Calamity.

Revali changes the subject, understanding their need of him to defeat Calamity Ganon. However, he questions Link's competence as a "knight". The Diminutive Guardian chimes in, Impa interpreting it as seeing itself as a knight as well, much to Revali's shock and annoyance.

Urbosa, the Gerudo Warrior
The Gerudo, powerful warriors, live in the remote Gerudo Desert. Their chief, Urbosa, with her fighting prowess and the ability to summon lightning on command, is chosen as the candidate to pilot the Divine Beast Vah Naboris.

Much to the group's surprise, instead of a warm welcome as Zelda had predicted, she, Impa, and Link ended up being chased by a group of Gerudo warriors. Sneaking into the walled Gerudo Town by way of a back door, the trio enters the throne room.

In response to Zelda's inquiry of what she is doing, Urbosa tells the young princess she is thwarting her destiny. She then tries to use Urbosa's Fury, only for lightning to fall on herself, knocking her unconscious. Another Urbosa appears, apologizing for what has happened. Asking Zelda, her "little bird", if she is okay, Zelda is immediately convinced that she is the real Urbosa.

The fake Urbosa then appears to mumble in a different voice, transforming and revealing himself as the Yiga Clan's Master Kohga, then summoning members of the clan and fleeing the scene. The group, now accompanied by Urbosa, flees the city full of Yiga Clan members. Urbosa then comes up with the idea of using of using a large resident monster to drive off the Yiga Clan. With a few Remote Bombs, a Molduga appears, causing the majority of members to flee.

The group then proceeds to capture the outposts kept by the rest of the Yiga Clan, and confronting Master Kohga. Before they are able to deal the finishing blow, however, his right-hand man Sooga appears, quickly overpowers both Link and Urbosa, and flees with Master Kohga.

Urbosa explains to the group that the Yiga were Sheikah that defected and sided with the Calamity, expressing annoyance at the trouble they had caused, and then agreeing to pilot Vah Naboris. Thanking the Gerudo chief for her role, Zelda swears to fulfill her duty as well. A concerned Urbosa comforts her with the assurance that she will support the young princess as she wishes.

Meanwhile, Master Kohga and Sooga are meeting with their ally, the sorcerer Astor, over their recent defeat. Astor is angered at them not filling the low expectations he has set, and stands in front of his Harbinger to see the future "as is should be", one he is determined to ensure happens.

The Yiga Clan Attacks!
Back at Hyrule Castle, Zelda is telling the Diminutive Guardian of her father's extremely demanding expectations of her, with the Guardian trying to comfort her. Link suddenly appears, much to her discomfort.

As Zelda, Link, Mipha, and Daruk are walking through Hyrule Castle Town, Mipha asks Daruk if she can join the Goron chief for a training session to which he quickly agrees. Just then, the Yiga Clan appears, with Sooga informing Zelda of her imminent death.

The Champions work together to push the Yiga Clan and other monsters out of the town. However, infiltrating their base pits them against a massive Hinox. While they defeat it, the Yiga Clan is able to trap Link, Zelda, the Diminutive Guardian, and their accompanying soldiers in a burning Hyrule Castle Town. With the Champions unable to intervene, they put their hopes on Link protecting the princess.

Link ends up battling Sooga in the process. While Link initially gains the upper hand, Sooga is able to teleport away and suddenly throw three kunai at Zelda. The Diminutive Guardian moves in to take the blow for her, but Link instead knocks it aside and blocks the daggers himself. Deciding destiny is at work, Sooga orders the Yiga Clan to retreat.

Zelda, convinced Link will defend her with his life, starts to talk to him, only for an angry Diminutive Guardian to chase Link around as revenge for having stolen its moment, all while Zelda, Mipha, and Daruk laugh at the confused and panicked Link.
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Development
The game was revealed via a trailer that was released on September 8, 2020, presented by Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma and Koei Tecmo producer Yosuke Hayashi. The game features the same art assets as Breath of the Wild, but uses the more combat-focused gameplay style of the previous Hyrule Warriors game. More info was revealed at the Tokyo Game Show on September 26.

According to Hayashi, the game came into reality when Aonuma approached him to make a new Hyrule Warriors game about the events of the Great Calamity, which were never properly shown in Breath of the Wild. Aonuma felt that the battles would complement well with the style of a Warriors game. Nintendo's Zelda developers worked more closely with the development team at Koei Tecmo than on Hyrule Warriors, providing advisement and assistance on Age of Calamity 's gameplay direction, graphics, world, and dialogue.

Characters

 * Link
 * Zelda
 * Impa
 * Urbosa
 * Mipha
 * Daruk
 * Revali
 * Hestu
 * Sidon
 * Yunobo
 * Teba
 * Riju
 * Master Kohga
 * King Rhoam
 * Great Fairies
 * Maz Koshia
 * Terrako
 * Calamity Ganon

Non-Playable Characters

 * Astor
 * King Dorephan
 * Robbie
 * Purah
 * Sooga

Navigation

 * Cooking
 * Materials