Is Hyrule Warrior: Age of Calamity worth it?

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity allows us to finally relive the moments that took place 100 years before Breath of The Wild. However, it offers a completely different experience. Instead of focusing on exploring the vast landscape of Hyrule like we were used to, it focuses instead on running around on a single map and battle hordes of enemies while completing certain objectives, like capturing outposts and defeating key enemies. 

Although different, this core gameplay can be quite fun, especially when you're killing dozens of mobs at a time which makes you feel like a true champion of Hyrule. But, this time, you won't be playing with Link alone. Along the way, you'll unlock more characters such as Zelda, Impa, Daruk, Revali, Urbosa, and many more! Each being unique in the way they play.

However, every character has a strong and light attack, a way to shield and dodge, a special attack, carry items, like the rods and healing apples, and Sheikah Slate runes such as the Remote Bomb, Magnesis, Cryonis, and Statis. But, even these abilities are used in a different way depending on the character you're using.

I had a ton of fun experimenting with character one while trying to find one that fit my gameplay style and, despite using mostly Urbosa for the first chapters, as soon as I unlocked Master Sword on Link I was hooked by the beam attack and stuck with him until the end!

While it's true that you can stick with one character for most of the story this isn't true for the mission quests that pop up on the map. Some have character restriction meaning that you'll need to play with the character it tells you to. Although I like this idea since it forces you out of your comfort zone it can be quite a drag sometimes if that character is at a lower level or has a weaker weapon. Meaning you'll have to actively farm some money so that you can train these characters at the Traning Camp and raise their weapon level at the Blacksmith.

And if you think you'll be grinding for just money, you're mistaken. There are some fetch quests that require you to scavenge the map for certain items. However, sometimes you'll see yourself completing the same quests over and over again to get the items you need which can be a drag. Just keep in mind that these quests are all optional but if you want to go for a 100% completion like I was you'll definitely regret it at some point.

One other glaring issue this game has is the repetitiveness of its gameplay. Although it offers a ton of content most of it feels the same while you're playing it. You'll be either defeating a certain monster, or a number of monsters and capturing outposts or defending outposts. But again, if you focus more on the main story chapters you won't see this issue since you'll be always introduced to new enemies, being them lynels, hinoxes, or guardians However, for the optional quests, it's just a drag to be doing the same over and over again. 

They did try to shake up things a little by introducing levels where you can play as the divine beasts and blast not hundreds but thousands of enemies in a row. However, most of the enemies on the map are just too small to pose any threat and you can just stomp them. I only enjoyed these levels when I was playing with Vah Naboris and Vah Ruta, not sure if t was because of the level design but Vah Medoh and Vah Rudania were so awkward to control, especially Vah Rudania! I struggled so much every time I had to make a turn... Also, these levels lag a lot, way more than on the regular ones.

By now you probably think I didn't like this game, which isn't true! I really like the gameplay but I just think that maybe less is more in this case. Either make less repetitive quests or add a wider variety of enemies. Also, it would be great if some of the lesser enemies could actually pose some threat instead of just standing there most of the time waiting to be sliced by Link's Master Sword! This is coming from someone that only tried Normal Mode though, I have no idea if they have better AI on harder difficulties.

Despite all this, there's something that really pushed me forward through the game and that was the story, obviously. When getting into it I thought I knew what to expect in terms of the narrative but then it kept surprising me more and more and I loved it! And that's all I'm going to say about this point since I don't want to spoil anyone!

After I was done with the story though, I was completely burnt out for trying to complete everything quest along the way, and despite offering some appealing post-game content like unlocking more characters I just couldn't do it since it involved more of the same. But, with some new DLC on the horizon, I'll probably come back to it for certain since I'd really want to complete this game 100%. 

So, should you buy Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity, and is this game for you? Well if you're used to this kind of game already and don't mind the grind and the repetitiveness just go for it! However, if you're just the average Legend of Zelda fan, get it too! Just focus more on the story and you'll definitely have a much pleasant time.