November 19, 2020StrategyESRB TMetacritic 78
The Verdict
Best if you want to mow down thousands of enemies as Zelda characters in Dynasty Warriors-style combat, with optional split-screen co-op despite significant performance compromises.
Software architect and father of two based in the Netherlands. Been gaming since MS-DOS Mario. Writes honest recommendations for people with limited evenings and too many games left to play.
Age of Calamity transplants the Breath of the Wild cast into the musou genre—a style built around controlling battlefields by carving through hundreds of enemies with flashy combos. Each playable hero has a distinct moveset: Link juggles between weapon types mid-combo, Zelda manipulates the Sheikah Slate's powers, and unlockable Champions bring their signature abilities. The combat loop is all about reading enemy weak-point gauges, breaking their defenses with the right tool, then unleashing devastating attacks while managing crowd control and completing timed objectives across large maps. Missions typically run 20–30 minutes and follow a familiar rhythm: defend key points, defeat officer-class enemies, capture outposts, then face a boss. Between battles, you'll manage a light progression layer—upgrading characters, fusing weapons for better stats, and unlocking combos. The structure is straightforward but can feel repetitive over the campaign's 20+ hour runtime. If you find satisfaction in optimizing damage output and watching enemy counters climb into the thousands, that repetition becomes meditative. If you need variety in mission design, the formula wears thin. The learning curve is gentle—simple button combos and generous dodge windows let you feel powerful early. Depth emerges through mastering each character's unique mechanics, managing the weapon triangle system, and tackling post-game challenges that demand efficient crowd control and boss pattern recognition. Difficulty spikes in later missions, but grinding levels and gear usually smooths the curve. Split-screen co-op lets two players divide objectives, which works brilliantly in theory—one player tackles the northern outpost while the other defends the southern gate. In practice, performance suffers noticeably when both screens fill with enemies and particle effects. Frame rate dips and input lag become regular companions, especially during chaotic sequences. Solo play runs smoother, but loses the tactical appeal of coordinated teamwork. Replayability hinges on whether you enjoy perfecting missions for better grades, collecting every character, and grinding for completionist goals. The core combat is satisfying enough to carry dozens of hours if you embrace the musou loop, but mission variety won't sustain players who need constantly fresh scenarios.
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How Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity supports playing with other people, broken down per platform.
| Platform | Local | Online | LAN | Split-screen | Co-op campaign | Drop-in/out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | Yes, up to 2 players | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
CrossplayNo Crossplay
Nintendo Switch only. Supports 2-player local co-op (split-screen) for most battles; not supported in some situations (e.g., certain story missions/areas) and may impact performance. No online multiplayer, no LAN mode, and no cross-play.
How rating boards around the world have classified Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Open a board for its content descriptors.
Fantasy themes and violence, online interactivity and in-game purchases
This game contains depictions of non-realistic looking violence towards human-like characters. When characters are attacked, bright lights and magical effects appear on impact. Characters let out grunts of pain and can be thrown large distances. Visible injuries are never shown and characters quickly recover after being attacked. A large variety of weapons are used. Regardless of what weapon is used the reactions remain the same. All characters have a health bar visible above their heads, which displays their current status. When the player has been defeated, they flash red and fall to the floor with no visible injuries.
Which version to buy, and what differs between platforms.
Nintendo Switch exclusive. Performance is notably better in solo play than split-screen co-op, where frame rate can drop significantly during enemy-heavy sequences.
Simple combo inputs and clear on-screen objective markers aid accessibility. However, visual clutter from hundreds of on-screen enemies and particle effects, combined with choppy split-screen performance, may challenge players sensitive to motion or visual overload. Limited accessibility options beyond basic control remapping.
Titles we've handpicked for readers who liked Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, grouped by what they share with it — a similar vibe, more challenge, or the same multiplayer setup.
Cooperative multiplayer games that emphasize teamwork and shared objectives, building on the social aspects of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.
The closest couch co-op cousin: split-screen hack-and-slash missions, character swapping, and crowd-clearing keeps the team-play loop front and center.
Big roster, big mobs, and drop-in co-op missions. It scratches the same “clear the map, seize keeps, unleash supers” rhythm with a friend beside you.
A modern Musou with snappy combat, flashy Specials, and replayable battles. Two-player co-op lets you coordinate objectives and melt huge enemy waves.
Same mission-based keep-capturing flow with Nintendo flavor. Co-op and a wide hero roster make it ideal if you liked juggling objectives and combos.
Expansive alternatives to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity featuring larger worlds, deeper progression systems, and extended campaigns for players seeking more content.
Musou-style battles blended with RPG systems and a full road-trip story. It expands the loop with dungeons, party builds, and narrative between big fights.
Crowd-clearing action plus party management, quests, and bigger adventure structure. If you want Musou energy with more RPG pacing, this fits neatly.
A different flavor of action, but the same “prep, hunt, upgrade, repeat” addiction. Longer progression arc, co-op hunts, and satisfying mastery over time.
Skill-based action games that reward precision, timing, and mechanical mastery like Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.
Fast, readable arenas with high-skill combo routing and Witch Time timing. It keeps the spectacle but demands cleaner inputs than a typical crowd brawler.
Less battlefield management, more pure combat craft: tight dodge/launcher timing, style rankings, and deep move lists for players who want mastery over mayhem.
If you want sharper stakes: stance switching, Ki management, and punishing bosses. It replaces hordes with high-pressure duels and deep build tinkering.
Other titles from the creators of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, featuring similar design philosophy and quality standards.
Classic Musou done big: dense battlefields, tons of officers, and deep weapon/skill progression. It’s the same studio formula with loads of content to chew on.
A crossover Musou built around the studio’s signature crowd combat. Quick stages, lots of characters, and over-the-top moves echo that Calamity power fantasy.
This game appears in 1 article on this site.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity offers Zelda fans the chance to play as beloved characters in split-screen co-op, but ranks low due to significant technical performance issues. The horizontal split-screen mode struggles when armies flood the battlefield, causing choppy framerates that hurt responsiveness. Only recommended for dedicated Zelda enthusiasts willing to overlook these drawbacks for the content.
Common questions about this game, answered by our team.
Easy to start with simple combos and forgiving mechanics. Difficulty ramps up in later missions and optional challenges, but grinding levels and upgrading gear lets you smooth over tough spots. No granular difficulty settings.
Main campaign takes 20–25 hours. Completionists unlocking all characters, finishing side missions, and maxing upgrades can easily double that. Individual missions run 20–30 minutes.
Depends on your tolerance for frame rate drops. Coordinating objectives with a partner adds tactical fun, but expect noticeable choppiness during busy scenes. Solo play is smoother if performance matters more than shared play.
Helpful for context and character familiarity, but not required. The combat is completely different—this is musou hack-and-slash, not exploration or puzzle-solving. Zelda knowledge enhances appreciation but isn't necessary.
Game data and imagery provided by IGDB.com
