Parents' Guide to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

There are a lot of times that spinoffs amount to little more than using an established franchise to drum up interest is an offshoot genre. Then there are games like Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, which don't just borrow from an established franchise, but actually add to it. Unlike the first Hyrule Warriors, which has its own original story disconnected from the rest of the Zelda franchise, Age of Calamity is directly connected to Breath of the Wild. Everything from its playable cast to its maps and missions to its artistic style evokes that game, as it uses gorgeous cutscenes and engaging storytelling to give players the chance to live out the events of the Great Calamity, which directly led up to the actions of that Switch game and yet, until now, was only vaguely referenced. It's a key moment in the history of The Legend of Zelda franchise and filled with all kinds of rich lore and fan service.

While the story in Age of Calamity is a big draw, gameplay is obviously just as important. Like the original Hyrule Warriors, Age of Calamity is a completely different style of game than most Legend of Zelda fans would be used to. It's closer to an arcade button masher, with players hacking and slashing their way through hundreds of enemies at a time. There's still some skill involved, such as proper timing for combos and dodging or maneuvering to keep from being overwhelmed. The game does run the risk of getting a bit repetitive, but missions are usually just long enough to keep this from happening. It helps that the action is broken up with crafting and cooking elements, as well as plenty of story focused cutscenes. Also, the addition of items from Breath of the Wild, such as the glider and the slate, bring an extra layer of familiarity to the gameplay. It's a different experience for sure, but it never feels like it's out of place. Instead, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is that rare spinoff that earns its spot in the grander Legend of Zelda story.