At the latest Nintendo Direct, the gaming giants revealed an expansion pass to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, rather than a sequel to Breath of the Wild. Nintendo only announced that it would be hosting a Direct yesterday, but even in such a short space of time, anticipation and speculation surrounded the event. Several leaks did make their way onto the internet before the official announcements were made this afternoon, and even then, the lack of news on BOTW2 was glaringly obvious.
A sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was first announced almost two years ago at E3. Since its dark and moody trailer made its debut to the world, fans have been keen to hear more about the follow-up to 2017’s Game of the Year. In a total curveball, however, fans of the Zelda series instead got an out of the blue announcement in September 2020 of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Set 100 years before the events of Breath of the Wild, this Musuo/Hyrule crossover became the bestselling Dynasty Warriors game of all time, selling over three million copies in less than a week.
For fans of the hack and slash pace of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, a new expansion pass has been revealed at the latest Nintendo Direct. Coming in two separate “waves,” the expansion pass will include (but not be limited to) new enemies, an expanded roster, fresh challenges, and additional character vignettes, among others. Those wishing to ready their weapons once more against Astor and the forces of the Yiga Clan can prepurchase the expansion pass now, with purchase bonuses of a new weapon and outfit for Link available from May 28th, 2021. The first wave of the expansion pass will be available from June 2021, with the second wave following on in November.
Many will likely be disappointed by the lack of news on Breath of the Wild 2 (official name still pending). When Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma appeared on the Direct, he informed fans that more information on the BOTW sequel will be coming later in 2021, but currently, there is nothing new to report. He did assure fans, however, that development is proceeding smoothly.
While this news is disappointing for those eager to step into a new Zelda game, there is the chance to play The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword once more, as a new HD version of the game for the Nintendo Switch was revealed at the Direct this afternoon. Along with Skyward Sword, Nintendo is also releasing special Zelda-themed joycons. With Skyward Sword, and the expansion pass for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity coming to the Switch later this year, there will be plenty of opportunities for fans to get their wrists and wits warmed up before the eventual reveal of Breath of the Wild 2 (which hopefully will not be too far away).
Source: Nintendo