A century before the events of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the Great Calamity occurred. Hyrule was plunged into darkness, devasted by an evil force which transformed the kingdom forever. While the Great Calamity is touched on in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for Nintendo Switch, fans have never experienced what happened before that catastrophic event … until now.

In Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, which launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch on 20th November, players will be transported to the time before the Great Calamity happened, participating in epic battles against a backdrop of memorable locations in Hyrule before they were destroyed. The game stars familiar faces from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild like Link and Zelda, as well as other recognisable characters like the four Champions, who will be playable for the very first time in the Hyrule Warriors series.

In the Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity – A story set 100 years before Breath of the Wild video, The Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma and Koei Tecmo Games Hyrule Warriors producer Yosuke Hayashi talk about how Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity came to be and show the first trailer for the game.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity features action-packed gameplay that will be familiar to fans of Hyrule Warriors and Fire Emblem Warriors. Focused on performing combos and over-the-top special abilities, the gameplay is fast-paced and strategic, perfect for players looking for an intense, non-stop action game with direct ties to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. In addition, the game tells an in-depth story that depicts the events, relationships and dramatic moments of the Great Calamity in captivating detail.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity finds plenty of inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – not just in its visual style. Many characters from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are playable, including Link and Zelda. Not only will players hack and slash their way through swarms of enemies to defend Hyrule; they will also solve environmental puzzles, unlock weapons and skills, craft with gathered materials, visit shops to obtain items and use the power of the Sheikah Slate, which fans will recognise from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Players who pre-order the game on Nintendo eShop will receive the Lucky Ladle as an in-game bonus weapon for Link.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity transports players to the time before the Great Calamity happened, participating in action-packed, strategic battles against a backdrop of familiar locations in Hyrule. The game stars a cast of familiar characters from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, including Link and Zelda, and will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch on 20th November with a suggested retail price of AU$79.95.