2020 may have been rather sparse when it comes to brand new Nintendo games, but the ones that have come out have proved to be critical hits, asreviews forAnimal Crossing: New Horizonscan attest. This looks like it will also be the case for the company’s last big title for this year,Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.
Nintendo and Koei Tecmo set quite a challenge for themselves by making the nextHyrule Warriorsgame a prequel toThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Not only do they have to follow up one of the most highly-acclaimed video games ever made, butanswer the burning questions fans have had aboutBreath of the Wild’s backstory.
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The good news is that the two have largely pulled it off, according to Japanese magazine Famitsu. Continuing its trend ofpublishing the first reviews for Switch games likePaper Mario: The Origami King, the magazine has gotten ahead of other publications and givenHyrule Warriors: Age of Calamitya final score of 36/40, after its four reviewers each awarded the game a 9/10. According to Ryokutya2089 (via Video Games Chronicle), the reviewers were more than pleased with the game, calling it “highly satisfying as a spin-off ofBreath of the Wild” and praising the “strong blend” of elements from that game and theDynasty Warriorsfranchise.
Although a score of 36/40 keepsAge of Calamityfrom joining the ranks ofFamitsu’s most highly-reviewed games, it is the magazine’s second-highest score for a Switch game this year, tying with other titles likePaper Mario: The Origami KingandXenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. OnlyAnimal Crossing: New Horizonshas scored higher, having received a score of 38/40.
Unfortunately, what’s currently available of Famitsu’s review doesn’t provide any clues as to what the game’s story will have to offer, so it remains to be seen if it’s as good as the gameplay appears to be. That said, with what Nintendo and Koei Tecmo have teased of the story, and theintriguing implications ofAge of Calamity’s Mini Guardian, it’s very likely that it will have a few major twists to throw fans’ way.
Anticipation remains high for the game, despite theconcerns fans have aboutAge of Calamity’s framerate, and with Famitsu’s review scoring so high, chances are good that subsequent reviews will be full of similar praise when they become available in the coming days.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamitywill launch on November 20 for the Switch.
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