Do You Need Age of Calamity for Tears of the Kingdom?
The highly anticipated Tears of the Kingdom is just around the corner, and fans of The Legend of Zelda series are eager to dive into this new installment. As fans, we’re often unsure about what to expect or what to do before jumping into the new game. One common question is: Do you need to play Age of Calamity before Tears of the Kingdom?
Important: Spoilers Ahead for Age of Calamity and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
What is the Connection Between Age of Calamity and Tears of the Kingdom?
As it turns out, both games are connected in significant ways. Age of Calamity takes place about 100 years before the events of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW), exploring the Calamity in Hyrule’s history that led to the events of BotW. Meanwhile, Tears of the Kingdom is the next installment in the series and takes place after the events of BotW.
So, to answer the original question: No, you do not necessarily need to play Age of Calamity to understand Tears of the Kingdom. Both games are separate entities with their own storylines.
However, there are some important points to keep in mind:
- Story Lore: Understanding the events of Age of Calamity can enhance your experience with Tears of the Kingdom, as the stories are connected. You might miss some subtle hints or references to the Calamity in Hyrule if you haven’t played Age of Calamity.
- Gameplay and Mechanics: Age of Calamity introduced new characters, weapons, and skills that were not available in BotW. Tears of the Kingdom builds upon BotW’s gameplay, and some players might enjoy replaying BotW to take advantage of these new additions.
- Characters’ Development: Age of Calamity provides additional backstories and character development for some of the characters introduced in BotW, making them more relatable and interesting in Tears of the Kingdom.
So, What’s the Best Way to Approach Tears of the Kingdom?
Here’s a suggested approach:
- Play BotW first, as it serves as a foundation for Tears of the Kingdom. Explore the world, complete quests, and understand the post-apocalyptic setting.
- Optional: Play Age of Calamity, if you’re interested in the backstory of the Calamity and want a deeper understanding of Hyrule’s history. Keep in mind that Age of Calamity is not essential to understand Tears of the Kingdom.
- Finally, jump into Tears of the Kingdom with an existing understanding of the world, characters, and lore.
Additional Tips and Takeaways
Here are some extra points to keep in mind:
- You don’t need to have the same characters’ development, as they’ll evolve throughout Tears of the Kingdom. The characters will continue to grow and change in Tears of the Kingdom, and you can still enjoy their development without playing Age of Calamity.
- You can always learn about the Calamity through Tears of the Kingdom’s in-game information, such as item descriptions or NPC dialogue. Age of Calamity will still provide a deeper understanding of the Calamity, but you can catch up with Tears of the Kingdom as a standalone experience.
- Don’t worry if you don’t have all the same questions or understanding as players who have played Age of Calamity. You can still enjoy the story, characters, and gameplay in Tears of the Kingdom without playing Age of Calamity.
Conclusion
Do you need to play Age of Calamity before Tears of the Kingdom? In short, no, it’s not necessary. You can still enjoy Tears of the Kingdom without playing Age of Calamity, but doing so will likely enhance your experience. Approach Tears of the Kingdom after playing BotW, and you’ll be ready for an unforgettable adventure.
In the meantime, feel free to explore Age of Calamity for a richer understanding of Hyrule’s history, but know that it’s not essential for enjoying Tears of the Kingdom.