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Zelda throwdown

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity — The ultimate guide

Join the Champions, Link, and Zelda as they fight against Calamity Ganon.
Rebecca Spear
18 Nov 2020

Hwaoc ChampionsSource: Nintendo (screenshot)

We've been anxiously awaiting the release of the Breath of the Wild sequel, but we had no idea that Nintendo was also creating Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, which is basically both a Breath of the Wild prequel and a Hyrule Warriors sequel. Players get to battle Calamity Ganon's minions in massive hordes and learn more about what took place before Link was injured and slept for 100 years.

Excited to learn more about this upcoming game? We've got you covered! Here's everything you need to know about Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.

Hack and Slash Zelda

Hyrule Warriors Age Of Calamity Boxart

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

Fight to save Hyrule

Join Link, Zelda, and the four Champions as they fight to stave off Calamity Ganon's evil hordes. You'll learn a little more about these characters and their relationships in the process.

  • $60 at Amazon

Jump to:

  • What's new?
  • Beware of leaks
  • The story
  • What is gameplay like?
  • Playable characters
  • Are there Koroks?
  • Is young Prince Sidon on the game?
  • Does it work with amiibo?
  • Digital Version preorder bonus
  • Can you play on Nintendo Switch Lite?
  • Release date

What's new?

Here are all of the most recent updates regarding this game.

Update: November 18, 2020 — The game has leaked online

Be careful as you're looking around online. It appears as though some people have gotten copies of the game early and everything from climatic cut-scenes, the full roster, and more have found their way on the internet.

Update: October 6, 2020 — Nintendo revealed that Purah and Robbie would be in the game

Nintendo released a short teaser trailer that shows Purah and Robbie looking at a Sheikah Slate and interacting with the main characters.

Update: September 26, 2020 — Young Impa revealed as a playable character during Koei Tecmo's TGS 2020 livestream

During Koei Tecmo's TGS 2020 livestream, we were shown Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity gameplay. Part of this video included the reveal that a young version of Impa would be a playable character.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Story

Hyrule Warriors Age Of Calamity Link ZeldaSource: Nintendo (screenshot)

This adventure takes place 100 years before the events of Breath of the Wild. If you recall, Link was hurt so badly during the war with Calamity Ganon that his body was forced to heal for a century after Hyrule's destruction.

Therefore, this game serves as something of a prequel, giving us insights into the Champions — Urbosa, Daruk, Mipha, and Revali — their relationships with each other, and their struggles against Ganon's evil hordes before the hero fell into his deep slumber.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Gameplay

This is an action, combat-heavy game that centers around players hacking and slashing through massive hordes of enemies. It will likely play a lot like Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, which came to Switch a couple years back and featured players controlling many Zelda characters from the series and wielding different weapons.

This game does not play like a traditional Zelda game but instead will have you mashing buttons to defeat a constant onslaught of foes.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Leaks

It appears as though some people have already gotten their copies of HWAoC and are posting the full roster, cutscenes, and more online.

Leaks of Hyrule warriors: age of calamity are out, because people got early copies. Be careful lol. But frame rate from what I’ve seen is great now. Nothing like the demo.

— Mightykeef (@MightyKeef) November 18, 2020

If you're at all like me, then you hate to have storylines and cutscenes ruined for you, so just be warry as you go scrolling around the internet. You might see some spoilers you don't want to see.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Playable characters

Hyrule Warriors Age Of Calamity Lynel ZeldaSource: Nintendo (screenshot)

Each character has their own weapons and special attacks to make battling more strategic and interesting. It looks like Link and Zelda wield the various runes of the Sheikah Slate, including Remote Bombs, Stasis, and Cryonis. Here are all of the playable characters we know of so far.

  • Link
  • Zelda
  • Daruk
  • Mipha
  • Urbosa
  • Revali
  • Young Impa (once unlocked)

Hwaoc Purah RobbieSource: Nintendo (screenshot)

A recent teaser trailer also showed that Robbie and Purah would be in the game. These two had important roles within Breath of the Wild. Nintendo specifically says that they are some of the "allies critical to the fight against Calamity Ganon." We're not sure if this means that they will also be playable characters or if they will just make appearances that further the story along. We'll update when we learn more.

Are there hidden Koroks?

Yes, turns out those leafy creatures that hid all over Hyrule in Breath of the Wild can also be found in Age of Calamity. We don't know how many exactly are hidden in Hyrule Warriors, but hopefully it's far less than 900.

You can find Koroks, and get Korok seeds, in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. pic.twitter.com/RHmpBldcws

— Zelda Universe (@ZeldaUniverse) October 7, 2020

Is young Prince Sidon in the game?

Hwaoc Prince Sidon MiphaSource: Nintendo (screenshot)

The Prince of the Zora quickly won our hearts in Breath of the Wild with his plucky personality. He's only a young child in Age of Calamity, but we will get to see some glimpses of Mipha's younger brother while playing through this epic game.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Does it work with amiibo?

Amiibo for the four Champions: Daruk, Urbosa, Mipha, and Revali will be relaunching alongside #HyruleWarriors: Age of Calamity on 11/20! pic.twitter.com/eGynZdKfSA

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 8, 2020

Yes, the game will work with all Breath of the Wild amiibo. Additionally, these figurines are getting reprints so players will be able to acquire them a little more easily. We don't know what functions they will have yet within the game, but we'll update when we learn more.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Digital Version preorder bonus

Hyrule Warriors Age Of Calamity Preorder BonusSource: Nintendo

Those who preorder a digital version of this game will receive the Lucky Ladle, a weapon that Link can use within the game.

If those who purchase a physical copy of the game want to get the Lucky Ladle, they will need to pay to acquire it. However, it won't be available for purchase until awhile after launch.

Can you play on Nintendo Switch Lite?

Yes, Age of Calamity can be played on both the original Nintendo Switch and the smaller Nintendo Switch Lite. However, it's possible some functions might not be available on the smaller console. We'll update when we learn more.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Release date

This game is set to release on Nov. 20, 2020, although things are subject to change due to COVID-19. You can pre-order the game now.

Hack and Slash Zelda

Hyrule Warriors Age Of Calamity Boxart

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

Fight to save Hyrule

Join Link, Zelda, and the four Champions as they fight to stave off Calamity Ganon's evil hordes. You'll learn a little more about these characters and their relationships in the process.

  • $60 at Amazon

Updated October 8, 2020: Updated amiibo section.

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Rebecca Spear

Rebecca Spear

Rebecca Spear is the Games Editor for iMore. She loves playing Nintendo Switch games and is a Zelda nut through and through. On any given day you'll find her drawing, playing video games, or reading a good book. Follow her on Twitter @rrspear.

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