Fans of the beautiful Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Taking inspiration from Breath of the Wild's game mechanics and storyline, Age of Calamity has turned tools once used to solve puzzles, unlock towers, and defeat shrines into tools for a rapid-fire combat system. These changes allow players to continue using the skills they love, but in a way that fits Age of Calamity's playstyle.
Players are again able to use the skills from their Sheikah Slate in Age of Calamity. Runes can now be activated in battle to use bombs, Magnesis, Stasis, or Cryonis as weapons against enemies. This allows players to freeze opponents, summon ice blocks in combat, or throw multiple bombs into crowds of enemies. While this is less tactful than carefully setting ice blocks in waterfalls to force a ball into a target in Breath of the Wild's shrine puzzles, the ability to obliterate enemies with an onslaught of explosives offers a more action-packed experience with these rune skills.
Players will also see the return of Breath of the Wild's Sheikah Sensor. Unlocked in chapter 2 of Age of Calamity's campaign, players can use the sensor to track items, just like what can be done with it in Breath of the Wild. The sensor is needed early in the game if players want to amass enough materials to upgrade characters and weapons, as it is the key to locating enough items. Just like in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the sensor is an invaluable tool, and can make grinding a lot less taxing for those who want to make full use of upgrades.
Age of Calamity Uses Breath Of The Wild Mechanics In Combat
Players can also customize their characters' armor and weapons in Age of Calamity. While Breath of the Wild only allows Link to be customized to the players needs and aesthetic desires, in Age of Calamity, players have access to a whole cast of characters. All of these characters posses their own skills and abilities, and can be outfitted with different armor and weapons throughout the game. This takes the customization to a whole new level for players of Age of Calamity, and much like in Breath of the Wild, picking the right weapons for the character could be the difference between success or defeat.
An important thing to note about Age of Calamity is that it is not a normal The Legend of Zelda game. There have been two Dynasty Warrior-like Hyrule Warriors games, both inspired by the Legend of Zelda storyline, but Age of Calamity is more about fast-paced combat in a linear story than the exploration of a puzzle filled narrative, and does not mix and match from the Zelda pantheon like the original does. While it can't be said if the storyline for Breath of the Wild will be impacted in its sequel thanks to the events explored in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, the game itself is a fun, action-packed nod to the open world take on Hyrule, and gives fans a way to use familiar mechanics in a more combat-geared setting.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is available now for Nintendo Switch.
