Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity: Difference between revisions

{{Noncanon}}

{{Nav Icon|File:HWAoC Training Sword Icon.png|Scenario|Scenarios}}

:''Not to be confused with {{HW}}, a similarly named game in {{TLoZ|Series}}.''

|image= [[File:HWAoC English Logo.png|320px]]<br>[[File:HWAoC Box NA.png|x320px]]

|developer= [[Omega Force]]<br>[[Nintendo]]

|publisher= [[Nintendo]]<br>[[Koei Tecmo]] {{Small|(Japan)}}

|designer= [[Ryota Matsushita]] (director)<br>[[Yosuke Hayashi]] (producer)<br>[[Masaki Furusawa]] (producer)<br>[[Daiki Iwamoto]] (supervisor)<br>[[Satoru Takizawa]] (supervisor)<br>[[Takuhiro Dohta]] (supervisor)<br>[[Hajime Wakai]] (supervisor)<br>[[Hidemaro Fujibayashi]] (story supervisor)

|released= {{Release|jp=November 20, 2020|na=November 20, 2020|eu=November 20, 2020|aus=November 20, 2020}}

|modes= Single-player<br>Multiplayer

|ratings=

{{List

  |{{Game Rating|ESRB|T}}

  |{{Game Rating|PEGI|12}}

  |{{Game Rating|CERO|B}}

  |{{Game Rating|USK|12}}

  |{{Game Rating|CB|M}}

  |{{Game Rating|DEJUS|10}}

  |{{Game Rating|RARS|12+}}

  |{{Game Rating|GRAC|12}}

  |{{Game Rating|GSRMR|12+}}

  |{{Game Rating|FPB|13}}

  |{{Game Rating|GCAM|12}}

  |{{Game Rating|NMC|12}}

|canon= Non-Canon

''{{Term/Store|Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity||Series, HWAoC}}'' is a spin-off game of {{TLoZ|Series}}. It takes place in the world of {{BotW}} in a different timeline during the second {{Term|HWAoC|Great Calamity|link}}.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= Nintendo |published= September 8, 2020 |retrieved= September 8, 2020|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDMWRRAEogs |title= Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - Announcement Trailer - Nintendo Switch |site= YouTube |type= }}</ref>

{{Lacking Sources}}

At about the same time {{Term|BotW|Zelda|link}}'s powers awakened in the events of {{BotW}}, a small {{Term|HWAoC|Guardian|link}}, named {{Term|HWAoC|Terrako|link}}, emerges from a box in {{Term|HWAoC|Hyrule Castle|link}}. As it sees the destruction caused by {{Term|HWAoC|Calamity Ganon|link}}, it opens a {{Term|HWAoC|Gate of Time|link}} to travel back before the {{Term|HWAoC|Great Calamity|link}}. Before it jumps into the gate, a {{Term|HWAoC|Guardian Stalker|link}} attacks it, but the small {{Term|HWAoC|Guardian}} manages to make it into the gate. Unknown to it, a part of {{Term|HWAoC|Calamity Ganon}}'s {{Term|HWAoC|Malice|link}} also made its way through the {{Term|HWAoC|Gate of Time}}, following the small {{Term|HWAoC|Guardian}}.

{{Term|HWAoC|Terrako}} emerges in {{Term|HWAoC|Hyrule Field|link}} before the Second {{Term|HWAoC|Great Calamity|link}} began, where {{Term|HWAoC|King Rhoam|link}} is rallying a group of {{Plural|HWAoC|Soldier|link}} to drive off an incoming horde of {{Plural|HWAoC|Enemy|link}}. During "{{Term|HWAoC|The Battle of Hyrule Field|link}}", {{Term|HWAoC|Link}}, one of the {{Plural|HWAoC|Soldier}}, comes across the seemingly inert {{Term|HWAoC|Guardian}}, but before he can inspect it {{Term|HWAoC|Impa|link}} arrives being pursued by {{Plural|HWAoC|Bokoblin|link}}. She stumbles and drops her {{Term|HWAoC|Sheikah Slate|link}}, which causes {{Term|HWAoC|Terrako}} to awaken. It raises a {{Term|HWAoC|Sheikah Tower|link}} from underground, fending off the {{Plural|HWAoC|Bokoblin}} in the process.

When the battle ends, {{Term|HWAoC|Terrako}} rushes off until it finds {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda|link}}. {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}} notices that the {{Term|HWAoC|Sheikah Slate}} has reacted to {{Term|HWAoC|Terrako}}, and decides to head to the {{Term|HWAoC|Royal Ancient Tech Lab|link}} to study it. {{Term|HWAoC|Link}} is appointed as {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}}'s bodyguard, and {{Term|HWAoC|Impa}} joins them on their journey. On their way to the lab, {{Term|HWAoC|Malice}} possesses a ruined {{Term|HWAoC|Guardian Stalker}} and attacks {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}}'s party in the battle, "{{Term|HWAoC|Road to the Ancient Lab|link}}". Though initially outmatched, {{Term|HWAoC|Terrako}} reactivates other ruined {{Plural|HWAoC|Guardian}} in the area, breaking the armor of the corrupted {{Term|HWAoC|Guardian}} and allowing {{Term|HWAoC|Link}} and his allies to destroy it. After defeating the {{Term|HWAoC|Guardian Stalker}}, they eventually reach the {{Term|HWAoC|Royal Ancient Tech Lab}}.

{{Term|HWAoC|Robbie|link}} and {{Term|HWAoC|Purah|link}} confirm that {{Term|HWAoC|Terrako}} is a previously unknown form of {{Term|HWAoC|Guardian}} able to amplify the effects of other ancient technology. They are also able to decode part of its memory, revealing to {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}} the devastation that will occur if {{Term|HWAoC|Calamity Ganon}} is not stopped.

As {{Term|HWAoC|Korok Forest|link}} is cut off by monsters and {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}}'s sealing power has not yet awakened, {{Term|HWAoC|King Rhoam|link}} sends {{Term|HWAoC|Link|link}} and {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}} to meet with the four candidates selected to pilot the {{Plural|HWAoC|Divine Beast|link}}. With some reluctance, he allows {{Term|HWAoC|Terrako|link}} to accompany them as well.

(The following four segments up until "{{Term|HWAoC|The Champions Assembled|link}}" can occur in any order, as decided by the player.)

{{Main|Mipha, the Zora Princess}}

{{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}}, {{Term|HWAoC|Link}}, and {{Term|HWAoC|Impa|link}} travel to {{Term|HWAoC|Zora's Domain|link}}, where they request for {{Term|HWAoC|Mipha|link}}, the {{Term|HWAoC|Zora|link}} princess, to pilot the {{Term|HWAoC|Divine Beast Vah Ruta|link}}. {{Term|HWAoC|King Dorephan|link}} is reluctant to allow {{Term|HWAoC|Mipha}} to pilot the {{Term|HWAoC|Divine Beast}}, as he believes it will not be safe for her to go without the {{Term|HWAoC|Link|link|display=knight who seals the darkness}}. {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}}'s protest is cut short by a warning of a monster attack from {{Term|HWAoC|Ploymus Mountain|link}}. {{Term|HWAoC|King Dorephan}} sends for {{Term|HWAoC|Mipha}} and {{Term|HWAoC|Sidon|link}}, when {{Term|HWAoC|Mipha}} realizes that {{Term|HWAoC|Sidon}} is missing. {{Term|HWAoC|Mipha}}, {{Term|HWAoC|Link}}, {{Term|HWAoC|Impa}}, and {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}} search for {{Term|HWAoC|Sidon}}, eventually finding him trying to fight a {{Term|HWAoC|Lynel|link}} on {{Term|HWAoC|Ploymus Mountain}}. The {{Term|HWAoC|Lynel}} is driven off, allowing {{Term|HWAoC|Sidon}} to escape.

{{Term|HWAoC|Mipha}} is upset by her brother's recklessness, but cannot help but be proud of his courage. They are interrupted again by the sight of a monster horde approaching {{Term|HWAoC|Zora's Domain}}, and in response {{Term|HWAoC|Terrako}} summons {{Term|HWAoC|Divine Beast Vah Ruta}} for {{Term|HWAoC|Mipha}} to pilot. She drives off the invading army, saving {{Term|HWAoC|King Dorephan}} in the process. After the battle, {{Term|HWAoC|King Dorephan}} acknowledges that the {{Term|HWAoC|Zora}} were not able to hold off the Calamity on their own and gives his permission for {{Term|HWAoC|Mipha}} to pilot the {{Term|HWAoC|Divine Beast Vah Ruta}}.

{{Main|Daruk, the Goron Hero}}

{{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}}, {{Term|HWAoC|Link}}, and {{Term|HWAoC|Impa}} travel to {{Term|HWAoC|Death Mountain|link}} and ask {{Term|HWAoC|Daruk|link}} the {{Term|HWAoC|Goron|link}} to pilot {{Term|HWAoC|Divine Beast Vah Rudania|link}}. {{Term|HWAoC|Daruk}} agrees, but warns {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}} and her allies that the path to the {{Term|HWAoC|Divine Beast Vah Rudania}} is overrun by monsters. He persuades the party to accompany him and wipe out the monster infestation. After an intense series of battles, they reach {{Term|HWAoC|Divine Beast Vah Rudania}}, which {{Term|HWAoC|Daruk}} uses to eliminate the monsters on {{Term|HWAoC|Death Mountain}}.

Following their victory, {{Term|HWAoC|Daruk}} confirms his willingness to pilot {{Term|HWAoC|Divine Beast Vah Rudania}}, offering {{Term|HWAoC|Link}} a celebratory rock roast.

{{Main|Revali, the Rito Warrior}}

{{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}} and her party travel to {{Term|HWAoC|Rito Village|link}}, but are attacked by {{Term|HWAoC|Rito|link}} warriors under {{Term|HWAoC|Revali|link}}'s command, who believe them to be raiders sent to attack {{Term|HWAoC|Rito Village}}. {{Term|HWAoC|Link}} and {{Term|HWAoC|Revali}} fight and prove to be equally matched, but {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}} intervenes in the fight before it can get out of hand.

{{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}}'s party learns that {{Term|HWAoC|Rito Village}} had recently been attacked by an army of monsters led by a {{Term|HWAoC|Guardian}} very similar to {{Term|HWAoC|Terrako}}, and had thought it had returned to launch a second attack. While {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}} is grateful that neither {{Term|HWAoC|Link}} nor {{Term|HWAoC|Revali}} was hurt, {{Term|HWAoC|Impa}} points out that the presence of a {{Term|HWAoC|Guardian}} like {{Term|HWAoC|Terrako}} linked to {{Term|HWAoC|Calamity Ganon}} is worrisome in its own right. {{Term|HWAoC|Revali}} interrupts to volunteer his service piloting {{Term|HWAoC|Divine Beast Vah Medoh|link}} and questions {{Term|HWAoC|Link}}'s competence as a knight. When {{Term|HWAoC|Terrako}} also chimes in, apparently to insist that it is also a knight serving {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}}, {{Term|HWAoC|Revali}} can only grumble.

 

{{Main|Urbosa, the Gerudo Chief}}

As the party arrives at {{Term|HWAoC|Gerudo Town|link}}, they are attacked by {{Term|HWAoC|Gerudo|link}} forces seemingly commanded by {{Term|HWAoC|Urbosa|link}} to kill them. {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}} is confused by their unexplainable aggression, but is sure that the {{Term|HWAoC|Gerudo}} chief can clear it up.

 

When they reach {{Term|HWAoC|Urbosa}}'s palace, she attacks, claiming that she wishes to "thwart their destiny". Before she can strike, however, the real {{Term|HWAoC|Urbosa}} appears and exposes the one they had seen as a disguised {{Term|HWAoC|Master Kohga|link}}. {{Term|HWAoC|Master Kohga}} flees after summoning the {{Term|HWAoC|Yiga Clan}} to surround the town, and {{Term|HWAoC|Link}}'s allies fight them off. With {{Term|HWAoC|Urbosa}} assisting them, they summon a {{Term|HWAoC|Molduga|link}} to distract the {{Term|HWAoC|Yiga}} forces long enough to launch an assault on the {{Term|HWAoC|Yiga Clan Hideout|link}}. {{Term|HWAoC|Master Kohga}} is defeated, but his lieutenant {{Term|HWAoC|Sooga|link}} helps him escape. {{Term|HWAoC|Urbosa}} thanks {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}} and her allies for helping her deal with the {{Term|HWAoC|Yiga Clan}}, and agrees to pilot {{Term|HWAoC|Divine Beast Vah Naboris|link}}.

 

Meanwhile, {{Term|HWAoC|Master Kohga}} and {{Term|HWAoC|Sooga}} are reprimanded for their failure by the dark prophet {{Term|HWAoC|Astor|link}}. He calls upon the corrupted small {{Term|HWAoC|Guardian}} seen earlier, which he calls the {{Term|HWAoC|Harbinger Ganon|link|display=Harbinger}}, to show them a vision of the future in which the {{Term|HWAoC|Great Calamity}} goes unchecked, and warns that he will not allow the future to be changed.

 

With her magic still dormant, {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}} dedicates herself to calibrating the {{Plural|HWAoC|Divine Beast}} for their pilots' use. However, she is increasingly disheartened by {{Term|HWAoC|King Rhoam}}'s frustration with her lack of progress. On their way through {{Term|HWAoC|Hyrule Castle Town|link}}, they are ambushed by {{Term|HWAoC|Sooga}} and the {{Term|HWAoC|Yiga Clan}}, who are supported by monsters. The {{Plural|HWAoC|Champion}} fend off the attack and make their way to the enemy stronghold, only to find that it was a diversion. This leaves {{Term|HWAoC|Link}} on his own to battle {{Term|HWAoC|Sooga}}, and he ultimately prevents the Yiga second-in-command from assassinating {{Term|HWAoC|Zelda}}. Defeated, {{Term|HWAoC|Sooga}} then calls for the {{Term|HWAoC|Yiga}} to retreat.

 

 

The party enters the forest, where they meet Hestu. The Korok musician agrees to escort them through the woods in exchange for protection against the monsters. After fighting their way past a Stalnox, the party's progress is stymied by a pool of Malice conjured by Astor. They trace the source of the Malice to four [[Hollow]]s- dark replicas of the Divine Beast pilots composed of Malice. When they are destroyed, the Malice dissipates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link activates the first tower with the Sheikah Slate, triggering the appearance of the other towers across Hyrule. Link and his allies continue to activate the towers until they reach the last one in Akkala. There, they are informed that the Yiga Clan has captured Akkala Citadel, where the last tower is located. They break through the Yiga's defenses, defeating Sooga again and forcing the Yiga to retreat. With the last tower activated, Purah explains how the towers can provide maps for a region. Urbosa uses the maps to lead a preemptive strike on the Yiga Clan hideout, clearing a path for a follow-up assault. The party confronts Master Kohga and Sooga once more, and the Yiga leaders flee to save themselves after being defeated.

 

 

 

 

 

Robbie and Purah finish analyzing the Diminutive Guardian's memory, only for them to be captured by Yiga spies. Purah manages to slip the Sheikah Slate with the decoded data to the Guardian, which delivers the slate to Zelda just as she leaves for the Spring of Wisdom. It is at that exact moment that the Calamity arrives.

 

 

 

 

{{Main|Water and Fire}}

Daruk fends off Firebight Ganon's fireballs as Mipha struggles against Waterblight Ganon. As the blow that would have killed Mipha in the original timeline is about to land, an adult Sidon bursts out of one of the time portals summoned by the Diminutive Guardian, declaring that he will not lose his sister a second time. At the same time, Yunobo emerges from a second portal just in time to block the attack that would have slain Daruk.

 

 

Yunobo begins to panic as Fireblight Ganon continues to pressure the two Gorons, but Daruk rallies his spirits with a reminder that Yunobo was supposed to save him. Link and his party arrive, and Fireblight Ganon is destroyed. Daruk thanks both Link and Yunobo for their help, as Sidon explains to Mipha that he is indeed her brother from the future. Zelda then explains what had happened at Hyrule Castle.

 

 

{{Main|Air and Lightning}}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zelda is grief-stricken by having to fight their friend, who is now critically damaged. As she weeps over it, it begins to play Zelda's Lullaby for her, as if trying to comfort her. A flashback reveals the origins of the Guardian, now revealed to be called Terrako: as a young girl, Zelda had activated it as a playmate. It had helped console her after her mother's death, and had been confiscated by King Rhoam when he assumed it was nothing more than a simple toy. Her resolve strengthened, Zelda swears to stop Calamity Ganon at all costs.

 

 

As the sun rises, the people of Hyrule rejoice to see that the Great Calamity is ended. Terrako's screw begins to shine, and Riju realizes that she, Teba, Yunobo, and Sidon must return to their own future. The Champions say their farewells to their descendants, and Zelda vows to treasure their friendship for all time.

 

An unknown amount of time after Calamity Ganon's sealing, Robbie, Purah, and Zelda have finished repairing Terrako using parts gathered from all over Hyrule.<ref name="Gallery">{{Cite|{{Big|Terrako}}<br>Guardian of Time<br>A tiny guardian who has traveled from the future to save Zelda. It was broken in the fight against the Calamity but has now been repaired and reactivated thanks to the effort of Link and the others.|Gallery|HWAoC}}</ref> While they initially fear that they were unsuccessful, the sight of Zelda's face causes Terrako to fully reactivate. Link, Impa, and the Champions happily look on as Zelda tearfully welcomes back the Guardian whose aid and sacrifice ultimately changed the course of history.

 

By mid-2012, following the reception to {{SS|-}}, {{TLoZ|Series}} producer Eiji Aonuma had determined that the franchise was in urgent need of reinvention, in order for it to remain relevant. Aonuma decided that the development team would focus on rethinking the conventions of ''Zelda'', and that this would largely center around two misconceptions:<ref>{{Cite person|quote= Aonuma: Our mission in developing this new Zelda game for Wii U is quite plainly to rethink the conventions of Zelda. I'm referring to things such as the player is supposed to complete dungeons in a certain order. That you are supposed to play by yourself, the things that we've come to take for granted recently. We want to set aside these "conventions," get back to basics to create a newborn Zelda so players today can enjoy the real essence of the franchise. We had actually worked on this kind of challenge with Skyward Sword, but we weren't able to put efforts in changing the linear structure of the game. I hope to be able to talk with you in more detail about how it will change after I see it come together a bit more. |name= Eiji Aonuma |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MzG6lDA1A0 |title= Wii U Direct - Nintendo Games 1.23.2013}}</ref>

 

 

 

At the time, Aonuma had been playing ''One Piece: Pirate Warriors'', another ''Warriors''-style game developed by Omega Force, and saw the potential in a similar crossover with ''Zelda''.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= At the time I was playing a Musou collaboration game called One Piece: Pirate Warriors. In this game, you are fighting a battle where there are many bases on the battlefield, and you have to figure out what order you take the bases in — and also the timing in which certain things occur. This is not something that had been in previous Zelda games, and so it was a very exciting idea for me to connect with.|name= Eiji Aonuma|url= https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/09/interview_eiji_aonuma_and_yosuke_hayashi_on_hyrule_warriors_and_shigeru_miyamotos_definitive_role|title= Interview: Eiji Aonuma and Yosuke Hayashi on Hyrule Warriors and Shigeru Miyamoto's Definitive Role}}</ref> Development of this game, dubbed {{HW}} (''Zelda Musou'' in Japan), was completed in 2014, making it the first multiplayer ''Zelda'' game since ''Four Swords Adventures''. In parallel, a small portion of the ''Zelda'' team also worked with Grezzo, the studio responsible for {{OoT3D|-}} and {{MM3D|-}}, to develop {{TFH|-}}, a three-player ''Zelda'' game for the Nintendo 3DS.

 

While work progressed on {{BotW}}, Aonuma had already begun thinking of ways to explore another multiplayer ''Zelda'' title, this time using lessons the team had learnt from the development of that game.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= I would like to take what I learned from Breath of the Wild and see if we can somehow fuse those learning points into another multiplayer Zelda. For example, with Tri Force Heroes, which followed a similar format of Four Swords, there was a multiplayer involved in that game. That's definitely a possibility and we will continue to [experiment] throughout the Zelda franchise.|name= Eiji Aonuma|url= https://in.ign.com/the-legend-of-zelda-hd-158649/95944/news/zelda-producer-after-breath-of-the-wild-next-game-could-be-multiplayer|title= Zelda Producer: After Breath of the Wild, Next Game Could Be Multiplayer}}</ref> After development wrapped, director Hidemaro Fujibayashi and art director Satoru Takizawa pitched Aonuma the idea of a second ''Warriors'' title, this time set in ''Breath of the Wild's'' past, against the backdrop of that game's "Great Calamity" event. Fujibayashi and Takizawa already had some sense of the kind of game they wanted to see, and the extent to which they had thought through their plans spurred Aonuma to discuss a second collaboration with Koei Tecmo.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= The idea came from Breath of the Wild’s director Hidemaro Fujibayashi and art director Satoru Takizawa. When they first pitched the “Great Calamity” as a setting for a Musou game, I was very interested but wondered if there would be difficulties when crafting the story. From there, we deliberated on how things would go, and the two of them already had plans in mind. Driven by how serious Mr. Fujibayashi and Mr. Takizawa were, I decided to consult with Hyrule Warriors producer Yosuke Hayashi.|name= Eiji Aonuma|url= https://nintendoeverything.com/hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-devs-on-how-the-game-came-to-be-nintendo-wanting-it-to-be-a-new-experience-more/|title= Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity devs on how the game came to be, Nintendo wanting it to be a new experience, more}}</ref>

 

Yosuke Hayashi would serve as producer on the new project, alongside Omega Force's Masaki Furusawa, the director of the first {{HW}}. Ryota Matsushita, who had served as a game designer on ''Samurai Warriors 4'', ''Warriors Orochi 4'', and ''Dynasty Warriors 9'', was tapped to direct. Once the game's core elements had been decided upon, Omega Force proposed an outline for {{HWAoC|-}}, with the ''Zelda'' team supervising each draft of the plan.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= After mixing in the core game elements, we were able to propose an outline from our side. We received close supervision from the first rough drafts of the storyline, and we kept in mind the point to balance ‘new experiences in the world of the past.’ Whenever we fleshed it out, were were supervised with each addition therein.|name= Ryota Matsushita|url= https://www.zeldadungeon.net/koei-tecmo-developers-discuss-the-freedoms-and-challenges-in-working-with-the-zelda-team-to-create-hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity/|title= Koei Tecmo Developers Discuss the Freedoms and Challenges in Working With the Zelda Team to Create Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity}}</ref>

 

Omega Force collaborated much more closely with the team this time around, than they had on {{HW}}. Elements such as gameplay, graphics, the depiction of Hyrule, and all character dialogue were discussed with the ''Zelda'' team to ensure consistency with {{BotW}}.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= The previous Hyrule Warriors games were filled with Zelda conventions. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild broke these conventions entirely, and perhaps it's the same for everyone here, but for someone like me, who's been playing Zelda games for a long time, this was an extraordinary experience. It's a new, special title for me. Unlike the previous Hyrule Warriors games, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity was developed by working closely with the Zelda team in every step of the process, including gameplay direction, graphics, world, and all dialogue. And while we maintain the distinct gameplay style of the Warriors series with exciting '1 vs. 1000' battles, and a wide variety of playable characters, this became the only game that will let you experience the world 100 years prior to the events of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild firsthand.|name= Eiji Aonuma|url= https://youtu.be/ifm8tpcO4vw|title= Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - A story 100 years before The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

}}</ref> ''Breath of the Wild's'' characters had fragments of lore scattered throughout that game, and Omega Force used these as a starting point. They held discussions with the ''Zelda'' team to understand the team's impression of each character, which helped flesh out their personalities in {{HWAoC|-}}.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= We created various characters’ personalities and their relationships to Link during Breath of the Wild’s development. However, we consulted with the Musou team to flesh that out in this game. Like with Purah, who ages quite strangely. I feel like we allowed her charms – and just her as a character to shine in this title.

|name= Eiji Aonuma|url= https://nintendoeverything.com/hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-devs-on-how-the-game-came-to-be-nintendo-wanting-it-to-be-a-new-experience-more/|title= Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity devs on how the game came to be, Nintendo wanting it to be a new experience, more}}</ref> In the case of characters that were now going to require younger variants, such as Impah, Purah, and Robbie, Omega Force proposed new designs for each.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= I’m so glad we at Koei Tecmo were able to propose designs for Impa, Purah, and Robbie. Every character had fragments of rich lore scattered throughout Breath of the Wild, so we used those as clues to match the Zelda team’s impression and establishment of the characters. That’s how we formed their depictions of 100 years past. I felt it resembled how Link regained his memories in Breath of the Wild through little spurs.|name= Ryota Matsushita|url= https://nintendoeverything.com/hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-devs-on-how-the-game-came-to-be-nintendo-wanting-it-to-be-a-new-experience-more/|title= Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity devs on how the game came to be, Nintendo wanting it to be a new experience, more}}</ref>

 

Prior to development, Aonuma had requested that the ''Zelda'' team allow Omega Force a degree of freedom whilst creating the movesets for each playable character, which would allow them to explore more outlandish special moves for each.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= While the theming is that of Breath of the Wild, a combat-centric game like Hyrule Warriors may have things like ‘special techniques for tearing up hordes,’ and I wanted them to be able to go a little crazy with those things without having to be too conscientious of the frame work... That is the perspective I asked the Zelda team to take in their management of the project.|name= Eiji Aonuma|url= https://www.zeldadungeon.net/koei-tecmo-developers-discuss-the-freedoms-and-challenges-in-working-with-the-zelda-team-to-create-hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity/|title= Koei Tecmo Developers Discuss the Freedoms and Challenges in Working With the Zelda Team to Create Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity}}</ref> While designing moves for the game's cast, Omega Force based Link, Zelda, and Impa on existing archetypes—namely, a knight, a mage, and a trickster.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= As for Impa’s style, that came together smoothly. Both as a factor of fighting with Sheikah Tribe techniques, and for balance between the three starting party members: the orthodox knight in Link, the mage-like Zelda, and the third member being a ninja-styled character with tricky abilities fit perfectly. So I think it came together naturally.|name= Ryota Matsushita|url= https://www.zeldadungeon.net/hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-developers-discuss-their-approach-to-combat-in-recent-interview/|title= Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Developers Discuss Their Approach to Combat in Recent Interview}}</ref> Of the three, Zelda proved hardest to design, owing to the fact that she was never intended to be a fighter in {{BotW}}, and that making her a combatant would potentially be at odds with her personality. The development team eventually settled on the idea of Zelda being driven by a sense of duty and taking up arms using the Sheikah Slate, using her backstory in {{BotW}} as a point of reference.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= In Zelda’s case, she remained a challenge throughout production. No matter how you cut it, she wasn’t really envisioned as a warrior-princess, so it wouldn’t do to suddenly have her performing these Warriors-style actions. However, she is a person driven by her sense of duty, so what emerged as the action she should take in her situation was the Sheikah Slate-based combat.|name= Ryota Matsushita|url= https://www.zeldadungeon.net/hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-developers-discuss-their-approach-to-combat-in-recent-interview/|title= Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Developers Discuss Their Approach to Combat in Recent Interview}}</ref> In contrast, Impa's moveset came together more smoothly, as a byproduct of her being from the ninja-like Sheikah tribe.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= As for Impa’s style, that came together smoothly. Both as a factor of fighting with Sheikah Tribe techniques, and for balance between the three starting party members: the orthodox knight in Link, the mage-like Zelda, and the third member being a ninja-styled character with tricky abilities fit perfectly. So I think it came together naturally.|name= Ryota Matsushita|url= https://www.zeldadungeon.net/hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-developers-discuss-their-approach-to-combat-in-recent-interview/|title= Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Developers Discuss Their Approach to Combat in Recent Interview}}</ref> According to the developers, the individual Sheikah Slate abilities for the rest of the cast were easy to derive from their personalities as well.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= That came together unexpectedly smoothly. The individual personalities and fighting styles of Breath of the Wild’s characters are consistently unique, so it was easy to give them that distinction. For instance, if we ask ourselves, “What would Revali do if asked to fight using the Stasis Rune?” we could get very strong, detailed, opinionated answers that, “Revali would obviously use it like this!” which we were able to piece together to create his actions. Everyone was able to give an answer quite readily. [laughs]|name= Ryota Matsushita|url= https://www.zeldadungeon.net/hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-developers-discuss-their-approach-to-combat-in-recent-interview/|title= Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Developers Discuss Their Approach to Combat in Recent Interview}}</ref>

 

During development, the team used its learnings from having worked on the first {{HW}}, but encountered challenges while deciding how to integrate the open-world design of {{BotW}} into the stage-based style of a ''Warriors'' game. The development team ultimately chose to design each stage to be more three-dimensional, with height or interconnected terrain, to create the feel of a more expansive world.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= A lot of the direction for how we integrate the Zelda setting and its rewarding gameplay into the Warriors systems came from our prior experience with Hyrule Warriors, but we encountered new challenges this time when deciding how to integrate the open-world systems of BotW into the stage-based design of Warriors. Basically, instead of changing the stage-by-stage structure of the game, we designed each stage to be more three-dimensional (with height or interconnected terrain) to create the feel of a more expansive world than before.|name= Eiji Aonuma|url= https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2020/11/20/why-the-hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-team-made-a-breath-of-the-wild-prequel|title= Why The Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity Team Made A Breath Of The Wild Prequel}}</ref> Omega Force found that working on {{HWAoC|-}} required less trial-an-error than its predecessor, as it had already understood how to incorporate ''Zelda''-like concepts into a ''Warriors'' game, and was instead able to allocate resources towards creating a game that was of higher quality.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= The previous game was a challenge in terms of incorporating the concepts of one game into a different game, and we went through a lot of trial and error on the ground. As a development team, we had a number of things that we weren't able to achieve or would've done differently in hindsight. We didn't need to repeat that trial and error for Age of Calamity, and I think that allowed us to allocate those resources towards increasing the quality of the game.

|name= Yosuke Hayashi|url= https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2020/11/20/why-the-hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-team-made-a-breath-of-the-wild-prequel|title= Why The Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity Team Made A Breath Of The Wild Prequel}}</ref> All throughout development, the ''Zelda'' team reviewed each aspect of {{HWAoC|-}} to ensure that the game inherited the look and tone of {{BotW}}.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= To ensure that the game inherited the look and tone of BotW, we asked the Zelda team to review every detail of what we made. They consistently suggested ways to make the game exponentially more fun, while simultaneously showing great respect for the ideas the Warriors team had for this game as an action game.|name= Ryota Matsushita|url= https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2020/11/20/why-the-hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-team-made-a-breath-of-the-wild-prequel|title= Why The Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity Team Made A Breath Of The Wild Prequel}}</ref>

The gameplay is similar to {{HW}}'s which is itself a based on Koei Tecmo's ''{{Wp|Dynasty Warriors}}'' series of video games, in which characters fight large armies of enemies and generals on a battlefield, with the the setting and characters originating from {{TLoZ|Series}}, specifically from {{BotW|-}}. As such, it is set to be much more combat-intensive that most ''Zelda'' games, with hordes of enemies on the screen at once.

A limited treasure box edition of the game was released in Japan. It included a copy of the game, an acrylic art plate, a parasail blanket, and a metal charm.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= September 8, 2020|url= http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/zelda-yakusai/products/|title= TREASURE BOX|site= GAMECITY|type= }}</ref>

===Reception===

{{Stub|HWAoC}}

===Completion Records===

{{Main|Speedrun Records}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:500px;"

! Time

! Player

! Date

{{#section:Speedrun Records|HWAoC}}

==Listings==

==External Links==

*[https://www.zelda.com/hyrule-warriors/ Official North American site]

*[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch/Hyrule-Warriors-Age-of-Calamity-1838129.html Official UK site]

*[http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/zelda-yakusai/ Official Japanese site]

  |3D Games