Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

Screenwise Verdict

Age of Calamity is a solid, safe pick if your kid is deep into Breath of the Wild and wants to see the backstory. The good news: zero predatory monetization, no chat toxicity, and fantasy violence that's cartoonish rather than disturbing.

The reality check: this is a 'Warriors' game—a genre built on repetition. You run around big battlefields, mash buttons to defeat literal hundreds of identical enemies, capture bases, rinse, repeat. For some kids, that's meditative and satisfying. For others, it's mind-numbing after two hours.

It's not particularly enriching beyond basic strategy and hand-eye coordination. The story is interesting for Zelda lore nerds but doesn't offer the exploration, puzzle-solving, or creative problem-solving that makes mainline Zelda games special. Think of it as Zelda-flavored comfort food rather than a gourmet meal.

If your kid loved BotW and wants more time in Hyrule, this scratches that itch. Just don't expect it to hold attention the way the main game did.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-16, especially kids already invested in the Zelda universe. Younger kids may struggle with the strategic elements and button combinations; older teens will likely find it too repetitive unless they're genre enthusiasts.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Fantasy combat against monsters in the beloved Zelda universe with heroic characters working cooperatively to save their kingdom. The tone is epic but not dark or cynical. However, it's a hack-and-slash game focused heavily on combat, which dominates the experience. The pacing can be chaotic with hundreds of enemies on screen at once, which may be overwhelming rather than balanced.

Imaginative

68

Set in the rich Zelda: Breath of the Wild universe with creative character abilities and strategic gameplay. However, this is more of a combat-focused spin-off than an exploration or building game. It tells a prequel story but doesn't offer the open-world creativity or puzzle-solving that mainline Zelda games provide. The 'musou' genre (hack-and-slash) is formulaic by design—mow down hordes, capture bases, repeat.

Safe

78

Fantasy violence against monsters with no gore, blood, or realistic harm. Users can interact online but there's no online chat feature. No in-game purchases or loot boxes, which is excellent. The combat is cartoonish and stylized. However, the game depicts a catastrophic event (the Great Calamity) that destroyed Hyrule, and some story beats involve loss and sacrifice, though handled in a fantasy context appropriate for the genre.

Enriching

58

Offers strategic thinking about character selection and battlefield tactics, plus coordination skills managing multiple objectives. The story provides context for Breath of the Wild fans. However, the gameplay is highly repetitive—you're essentially doing the same button-mashing combat over and over. Limited problem-solving or meaningful skill progression beyond 'hit things faster.' Entertainment value is moderate for genre fans but can feel grindy. IGDB rating of 80 suggests decent quality but not exceptional.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

No microtransactions or loot boxes—just buy it and play it, refreshingly old-school
Expands the Breath of the Wild story for kids who are obsessed with that world and want more lore
Co-op mode lets siblings or parent-kid pairs team up to fight together
Strategic elements about which character to deploy and when can build tactical thinking
Satisfying power fantasy of taking down hundreds of enemies—good stress relief after a tough school day

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What to Watch For

Extremely repetitive gameplay loop—if your kid needs variety, they'll burn out fast
The 'musou' genre is an acquired taste; many kids will find it boring after a few hours
Story involves the destruction of Hyrule and character deaths (handled tastefully but present)
Really only compelling if they've already played and loved Breath of the Wild

Conversation Starters

"Which Champion do you think is the coolest to play as? Why do their abilities fit their personality?"
"The game shows what happens when people don't work together in time—what could the characters have done differently?"
"How does this story change how you feel about the ruins you explored in Breath of the Wild?"
"Do you think games where you fight hundreds of enemies are more or less fun than games with harder individual battles?"

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Hyrule Warriors Age Of Calamity