Nintendo seems like it’s determined to sweep 2020 in its third act. After a long hiatus from announcements related to COVID-19, it’s suddenly back in the forefront and in no small fashion. Nintendo fans are still coming off the high of theSuper Mario Bros.35th Anniversary announcements, and now the company has suddenly come forward with the announcement of a whole newZeldagame:Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, a high-scale war game showcasing the power and talent of the Champions seems like a fitting design to tellthe story of Calamity Ganon’s attack on Hyrule.
Even so, someZeldafans can’t be blamed for being disappointed that Nintendo isn’t ready to say anything of the Wild 2.Rather than pushing forward with prompt announcements about the sequel, it looks like Nintendo wants to look back a little bit and ground players in this version of Hyrule’s past. However, Nintendo is liable to tell players a lot more about theBreath of the Wildsequel than players may expect. Not only isHyrule Warriors: Age of Calamitylikely to bring on a tide of new lore and character interactions that will inform the sequel, it’s a very telling look into what will become of rumors and hopes for the sequel.
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An Influx of Lore for Breath of the Wild
Breath of the Wildwas not short on world-buildingby any means. It’s a fascinating look at a ruined society that hasn’t completely fallen apart, even when monsters roam the countryside and Calamity Ganon haunts the castle that was once a bastion for the people of Hyrule. It’s not completely detached from its history either. Link is constantly getting glimpses into his past and at his connections with the lost Champions. The landscape is scarred with remnants of the war, whether that’s ancient Guardians still seeking battle or distantly familiar places that will remind Link who he is.
As rich as that environmental storytelling is, however, the hands-on experience ofthe war thatAge of Calamitypromisesis a completely different approach to the time beforeBreath of the Wild.This time, players will actually get to know the Champions and the king of Hyrule as living people. There’s sure to be rich dialogues and moments of conflict and teamwork that there just wasn’t room for inBreath of the Wildthat will expand on Link and Zelda’s relationships with the Champions and with each another.
Beyond the character development,Ageof Calamityis also going to be a crucial source of insight on what exactly was lost and how terrible the war was. As valiant as the trailer may be, players already know howAge of Calamityends. No matter what the tone of the game is, there will be a looming sense of dread and tragedy as players interact with the living Champions and fight for Hyrule as it once was, knowing that disaster is just around the corner. Knowing more about Link’s relationships and Hyrule itself can onlymakeBreath of the Wild 2a richer experienceas the world is threatened again.
Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 Rumors and Wishes
Bearing thecontributions toBreath of the Wild 2’s lorein mind, it’s also worth taking a moment to think about whatAge of Calamitysays about the sequel’s potential plot and mechanics.Zeldafans have spent many months exchanging rumors and theories aboutBotW 2,hoping and wondering about what exactly will change between the first game and the second. Interestingly enough, there’s a distinct chance that some of the rumors about and wishes forBotW 2are being channeled intoAge of Calamityto some extent.
Perhaps the most obvious one of these wishes is getting Zelda herself as a playable character. Fans have been optimistic about that ever since the sequel’s trailer featured her heavily, traveling alongside Link for once. It’s quite clear that Zelda is a playable option inAge of Calamity;that trailer features a clip of her stopping a Lynel with a Stasis power, and that’s sure to be only one of her magical powers showcased in the game. Additionally, for any players that hoped theChampions might be playable inBreath of the Wild 2,Age of Calamityguarantees a way to defend Hyrule as their favorite hero.
Another one of the biggest rumors that interacts withAge of Calamityis the possible time travel narrative.ThatBotW 2theory picked up steamquite a while ago, and it’s hard to say for now how it interacts withAge of Calamity.On the one hand, this new game could totally refute the possibility of time travel by setting the narrative of the war in stone. On the other hand, setting the lore in stone that way might be the perfect setup for a journey into the past inBotW 2so players already know what’s going to change. In any case,Age of Calamity’s setting in the past really reflects on the theories about exploring Hyrule’s past.
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Mutual Development of Age of Calamity, Breath of the Wild 2
Yet another way thatBotW 2andAge of Calamitygo hand in hand is the simple fact that they’re being developed at the same time. Nintendo surely has intimate involvement and insight on both fronts, so it’s poised to set up a lot of fascinating parallels and connections between Hyrule’s past and future. That said,Age of Calamitymight be part of the reason thatBreath of the Wild 2has seen so littlein the way of reveals. It’s not every day that two highly interconnected Zelda games are being developed at the same time like this, so Nintendo might be really taking its time making sure they’re both right and establishing all the connections it wants.
That’s not to sayAge of Calamityis harming the sequelat all. On the contrary, it seems like the best possible thing that Nintendo could publish in advance of the sequel. Not only will revisiting the Champions and the conflict with Calamity Ganon generate hype for the sequel, it will re-establish the importance of Link’s bonds, especially with Zelda, since she’s implied to be very important to the sequel’s story. Whatever is about to happen inBreath of the Wild 2is bound to be earthshaking, so it’s worth taking a moment of relative respite to reflect on everything Hyrule has already been through. That way Link, Zelda, and all their fans can prepare for what’s about to come.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamityreleases July 27, 2025 for Switch.The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2is in development.
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