I have a deep fondness for musou games, and this game is no exception. That being said, branding yourself as "play the original story a hundred years ago" is kind of a lie, as it's technically a "what if" scenario. It is still a fun playthrough with all your favorite characters and Ravali and Hestu (seriously, that dang bird is way too pompous and irritating and Hestu is just kinda boring to play as). I bought all the DLC and it feels a bit on the soft side as far as DLC goes, but it was still fun additions to an otherwise solid game. I give it a biased 4 starsI been playing super hard on this game almost daily and Im on a collect quest now/ last chapter. It was never advertise to be a "traditional Zelda game." It was advertise as a prequel to the story of Breath of the Wild and the touches of a Musou game/ Hyrule Warriors. I have a place in my heart for Musou games way before they started the Hyrule Warriors Series, and I love every minute of it. My first Musou game was Dynasty Warriors 3 on the PS2. And I am a Zelda Fan, and Ive been going conventions as Fi for a long time!But Calamity puts a ton of new twist that Really ties the bow for the Breath of the wild series. There is the signature string of combo for each enemy, tons of enemies you have to barrel through, and "forts" you have to take over. But what I love about it, is the game secrets. You don't need it, but it may help on your quest to remember certain things about breath of the wild. Like aiming for the head for extra damage, Hinoxes deal extra damage to the counter by shooting in the eye, Mipha heals, the better weapons come later in the game, etc. There is even a good illusion of choice with each character having their own way of using the Shekiah slate, and replacing the r2 button with their own special attack.The only bad is that the game doesn't explain fully about the seal system, and Im still a bit confused for certain thing. I advise looking up a guide without spoiling yourself to know which seals are the best because fusing certain things, and while you can undo the damage later, it just a little annoying when you don't realize certain things and you have to work alot to undo it later. Like I didn't know the Fusion % EXp was to really boost the exp or when fusing something all the way, you get a hidden seal. But then again, I'm super nooby when it comes to RPG elements and math lol and I was just stupid and did the highest numbers lol. While I got use to the game map system, I found it as a User interface a little messy. I felt it was a bit awkward searching around the map for my missions and I found it was just better to use the menus they had that weren't on the map.And some muso game, get grindy, but so far it was decent progression until I'm at my current chapter. I don't know if there any other mission post game yet, but I consider just post game to be grindy. Ive missed korok seeds, and because of how I fused certain things, Im grinding to get the seal to track Korok seeds to kind of 100% the game. They aren't as hard as breath of the wild thankfully as you only have 100+ of them and they are only in the main missions but you can search them in the side mission I think. But as said at this moment Im hunting the chest and Korok seeds I missed. I'm also grinding for better weapons but its tough of course.I feel also we need better Ai for the characters, and not sure how to balance that out. While the NP are good at going automatically going to the location by themselves, they don't lower the gauge or do much. It weird when you control the character they have all the weapons you have, but then when they attack, they can't break 100% the enemies . I remember even dynasty warrior had NP who would lower the enemies health while you take over other forts. It a hard conundrum for the gameplay and its probably not achievable for the switch as it barely can handle a hug enemies playing attack all at once, and Musou is designed to just barrel enemies. I'm not sure how I would upgrade other than to change that character can at least do something. I mean they attack but it doesn't help much. And this is probably where the switch need next gen graphics to handle the amount of animations playing on the screen. I'm not saying Switch should be the next PS4, but with the amount of production and animations it need, I feel some of the ram and memory should be upgraded.Still overall, I am very much enjoying the game for what they try to produced. If anything the cut scenes will flush back to BOTW where Link tries to remember these moments. Even if its not a traditional game, it has love and care for the lore of the series.Absolutely great game! If you loved hyrule warriors or breath of the wild, then I highly suggest age of calamity. One thing buyers must be aware of is that this isn't a zelda game, this is a warriors game with breath of the wild as its theme. It is a hack and slash game. That being said, age of calamity fits right in as a "prequel ". There are way more cutscenes in age of calamity then there is in breath of the wild so you really get to know the characters more. Lots of things from breath of the wild was put into age of calamity like cooking. U can cook a meal right before a mission or side mission which will give you buffs, or there are side requests for Kilton for example (well lead to believe it's Kilton) where he requests specific monster parts, you unlock the outfits you get in breath of the wild like the warm doublet ,and you can donate parts that will open up the dye shop, from there u can dye your outfits. The outfits are strictly aesthetic which is nice. These are just some small examples. Over all, if you are ok with playing a hack and slash that ties in with breath of the wild then definitely get this game. If you are on the fence about it then I suggest watching the first mission on YouTube and see if it is something you will like. The first couple of missions may seem bland but it is there to more teach you how to play and then it really opens up. The combat is very smooth and very satisfying, using your runes, elemental rods and apples are very simple and easy, getting to choose and upgrade your personal favorite weapons from the black Smith is fun, grinding to get specific parts or to level up specific characters are ACTUALLY FUN! Grinding is generally never fun in a game but in age of calamity it truly is fun and totally optional. Age of calamity still has the same vibe of hyrule warriors but everything as a whole is DRASTICALLY improved upon. Having Nintendo be involved with the development of age of calamity compared to Nintendo not being involved with development of hyrule warriors is blantly obvious. Having Nintendo involved with age of calamity really shows with the story and cut scenes. I believe there is something like a total of 2 hours worth of cutscenes compared to breath of the wild total amount of like 30 minutes (that is just the memories which is what you mainly watch in breath of the wild) to 100% age of calamity takes roughly 50 plus hours. I have 78 hours worth of gameplay right now in age of calamity . To 100% breath of the wild is 100 plus hours but u have to take in account for just traveling. You get plenty of hours and tons of replayability with korok seed hunting, farming, challenges etc. Id give this game a 8/10 compared to my personal 9/10 for breath of the wild. Again, this is all just my personal opinion so take that with a grain of salt. Once again, I suggest either watching some videos on some of the levels (without cut scenes to avoid spoilers) or play the free demo that is on the Nintendo Eshop but just keep in mind that it is the first couple main missions and couple side missions and that the game drastically opens up after what you play in the demo. The demo is there to give you an idea of how the game is played. It is very important to remember this isn't a legend of zelda game but a hyrule warriors game. Age of calamity is an official prequel and cannon according to Nintendo. If you feel as though you will never get age of calamity or can't afford it, then definitely watch a full playthrough. If you get the game, keeping in mind it's a warriors game, the play style is hack and slash, then you will over all enjoy your time with the game.Exactly what was expectedI recommend you.Honestly didn't know how much I'd enjoy this game as a non-canon spinoff but the gameplay is super satisfying and interesting, and every time I thought I'd finished the game I'd find more content. Definitely solid if you enjoy ridiculous over the top combat and it's nice to get some story on some of the BotW characters