Should You Play Hyrule Warriors Before Tears of the Kingdom? A Veteran’s Perspective
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The age-old question! You’re gearing up for Tears of the Kingdom, arguably the most anticipated game in recent memory, and you’re wondering: “Should I spend my precious gaming time on Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity first?” My answer, after countless hours battling Bokoblins and crafting elaborate weapon fusions, is a resounding: it depends.
If you’re a die-hard Zelda lore enthusiast, craving every morsel of Hyrulean history, then absolutely, play Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity before Tears of the Kingdom. It offers a deep dive into the events leading up to the Great Calamity, enriching your understanding of the world and its characters. However, if you’re primarily interested in the gameplay and narrative of Tears of the Kingdom itself, you can jump right in without feeling lost.
Age of Calamity is a Musou game, a different genre entirely from the traditional Zelda experience. Its focus is on large-scale battles, character action, and a more linear narrative. While it fleshes out the backstory of Breath of the Wild, and therefore Tears of the Kingdom, it’s not essential for understanding the main plot. Think of it as a delicious appetizer; enjoyable and flavorful, but not required to enjoy the main course.
Ultimately, the decision boils down to your personal preferences. Do you prioritize lore and world-building? Or are you more focused on gameplay mechanics and the core narrative experience? Let’s delve deeper to help you decide.
Benefits of Playing Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity First
Playing Age of Calamity offers several advantages for the dedicated Zelda fan:
- Enhanced Understanding of the World: Age of Calamity provides context to locations, characters, and events referenced in Breath of the Wild and, by extension, Tears of the Kingdom. You’ll witness the rise and fall of Hyrule Castle, understand the relationships between the Champions, and see the devastating impact of the Calamity firsthand.
- Character Development: The game gives more screen time to characters like Zelda, the Champions (Mipha, Daruk, Revali, and Urbosa), and even the Yiga Clan. You’ll develop a stronger connection to them and appreciate their roles in the grand narrative.
- Familiarity with Combat Styles: While the combat in Age of Calamity is distinct from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, it does offer some familiarity with character abilities and enemy types. This can provide a slight advantage when learning the ropes of Tears of the Kingdom.
- Appreciating the Timeline: The narrative in Age of Calamity plays with timelines and alternate realities. Understanding this adds another layer to your appreciation of the Zelda universe and its complex lore.
Drawbacks of Playing Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity First
Despite the benefits, there are also reasons why you might choose to skip Age of Calamity before playing Tears of the Kingdom:
- Different Gameplay Genre: The Musou genre is not for everyone. If you dislike repetitive button-mashing combat and large-scale battles, you might find Age of Calamity tedious. This could diminish your excitement for the main Zelda experience.
- Spoilers (Potentially): While Age of Calamity is a prequel, it does reveal certain plot points and character arcs that might be more impactful if experienced within the context of Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom. This is a subjective point, but something to consider.
- Time Commitment: Age of Calamity is a lengthy game. Completing the main story and side content can take dozens of hours. If you’re eager to jump into Tears of the Kingdom, you might not want to spend that much time on a related, but ultimately separate, experience.
- Narrative Disconnect: The Age of Calamity’s story deviates from what was previously implied in Breath of the Wild. Some fans may find the alternate timeline and altered events jarring or even contradictory to established lore.
Deciding What’s Right for You
Ultimately, the decision is yours. Ask yourself these questions:
- How much do I care about Zelda lore and world-building?
- Do I enjoy Musou-style games?
- Am I willing to invest the time required to complete Age of Calamity?
- Am I concerned about potential spoilers?
If you answered “yes” to most of the first three questions, then playing Age of Calamity before Tears of the Kingdom is likely a good choice. If you answered “no” to most of them, you’re probably better off jumping straight into the main game.
No matter what you choose, remember that both games offer unique and rewarding experiences within the rich tapestry of the Legend of Zelda. And if you’re interested in how games like these can be used for educational purposes, consider checking out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further help you decide:
1. Does Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity spoil Tears of the Kingdom?
No, not directly. Age of Calamity is a prequel to Breath of the Wild, and therefore set before the events of Tears of the Kingdom. However, familiarity with characters, locations, and lore introduced in Age of Calamity will enhance your appreciation of Tears of the Kingdom.
2. Is Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity canon?
This is a subject of debate. Officially, Nintendo considers Age of Calamity a hyper-stylized version of events, featuring an alternate timeline. It is considered a spin-off and not necessarily strictly canon to the main Zelda timeline.
3. Is Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity similar to Breath of the Wild’s gameplay?
No. Age of Calamity is a Musou game, focusing on large-scale battles and character action. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are open-world adventure games with exploration, puzzle-solving, and a greater emphasis on player freedom.
4. Do I need to play Breath of the Wild before Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity?
Yes, it is highly recommended. Age of Calamity assumes you have knowledge of the world, characters, and events of Breath of the Wild. Playing Breath of the Wild first will greatly enhance your understanding and enjoyment of Age of Calamity.
5. Which game is longer, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity or Tears of the Kingdom?
Tears of the Kingdom is significantly longer than Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. A complete playthrough of Tears of the Kingdom, including side quests and exploration, can easily take over 100 hours. Age of Calamity is shorter, with a main story lasting around 20-30 hours.
6. Is Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity worth playing if I didn’t like other Musou games?
That depends. Age of Calamity is considered one of the better Musou games, with a compelling story and familiar Zelda characters. However, if you fundamentally dislike the genre’s repetitive combat and large-scale battles, you might not enjoy it, regardless of the Zelda connection.
7. Does playing Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity make Tears of the Kingdom easier?
Not significantly. While familiarity with character abilities and enemy types can be helpful, the core gameplay mechanics of Tears of the Kingdom are different enough that Age of Calamity won’t provide a major advantage.
8. Does Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity have multiplayer?
Yes. Age of Calamity features a local co-op multiplayer mode, allowing two players to tackle the game’s challenges together.
9. Are there any exclusive items or rewards in Tears of the Kingdom for playing Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity?
No, there are no direct rewards for playing Age of Calamity before Tears of the Kingdom. There’s no item transfer or unlock. The benefit is solely enhanced understanding of the lore.
10. Should I read or watch a summary of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity if I don’t have time to play it?
That is a decent alternative. Reading or watching a summary will give you the basic plot points and character information without requiring a significant time investment. However, you’ll miss out on the experience of playing the game and engaging with the story firsthand.
11. Does Age of Calamity explain what happened to the Champions between the Calamity and Breath of the Wild?
Yes, Age of Calamity depicts the battles and events leading to the Champions’ demise, giving context to their ghostly presence in Breath of the Wild and their legacy in Tears of the Kingdom.
12. Is Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity difficult?
It can be, especially on higher difficulty settings. While the basic combat is simple, mastering each character’s unique abilities and strategizing for large-scale battles can be challenging.
13. Does Age of Calamity require an online subscription?
No. Age of Calamity is a single-player and local co-op game that does not require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
14. Are there any characters in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity that appear in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, many core characters like Link, Zelda, Impa, and Robbie appear in both games, although their roles and circumstances may have evolved.
15. Is Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity available on other platforms besides Nintendo Switch?
No. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is exclusively available on the Nintendo Switch.