Daily Debate: What Are Your Hopes for the Yiga Clan in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity?
Posted on October 15 2020 by David Lasby
At times, they appear as the most ominous and ruthless enemies in all of Hyrule, wielding an arsenal of ninja weapons and ancient fighting techniques; far too often, however, the Yiga Clan fall somewhere between ridiculous and a nuisance. Chasing banana bunches or delivering outlandish punchlines, these dark warriors first made their appearance in 2017’s mega-hit, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
For many, early experiences with the Yiga Clan build up expectations for a memorable enemy, only to disappoint as players progress deeper into the game. Whereas initial encounters with the disguised assassins produce delight, they become painfully recognizable in short order. Aside from random attacks that add a bit of flavor to the overworld, these former Sheikah do little to advance the plot in a meaningful way. Nowhere is this disappointment felt more sharply than in the battle with Master Kohga, who is proverbially “hoist by his own petard”.
Still, the Yiga Clan offer some welcome comic relief in a game that is otherwise bleak and tragic. Their inability to resist bananas in spite of their incredible concentration and discipline makes them a fan favorite. The Yiga Clan hideout quest is a challenging and entertaining stealth mission that adds intrigue to the ninja warriors. Unquestionably, the Yiga Clan are a fantastic addition to the Zelda universe, one that many hope will be greatly expanded.
Enter Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. The second installment of the Breath of the Wild trilogy is set to release November 20th, and promises loads of new Yiga Clan content. The recent teaser trailer features Master Kohga, armies of Yiga Clan soldiers attacking what becomes the Outpost Ruins, and even previews a mysterious new antagonist with two Yiga Clan members kneeling in submission. It seems likely that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity will deliver on much of the Yiga Clan’s promise in Breath of the Wild. Not only will they be a force to be reckoned with on the field of battle, they will clearly play a central role in the story that is to be told. How that leads into the storylines for Breath of the Wild 2 will be an exciting development to track.
Tell us what you think. What are your hopes for the Yiga clan in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity? What is your biggest wish? What would disappoint you? Share your comments below!
Note: Daily Debate has been edited to correct a Zelda lore error; thank you to our wonderful readers.
I’m a life-long fan of video games and have been playing since I got my NES in the 1980s. The Legend of Zelda, Super Smash Bros., Aliens, and Halo are some of my favorite game franchises. I write for several sites, including Zelda Dungeon, Boss Rush Network, and The Mighty. Find me on Twitter to check out my other content!
