Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity does a magnificent job of worldbuilding through its soundtrack, and the four Champions’ themes are great examples of this. Upon starting each of their recruitment missions, the player is treated to an action-packed version of their themes from Breath of the Wild. At least, that’s the case for three of them. Revali is different from the other Champions in a few ways, notably his aversion to teamwork. Despite sending out hundreds of Rito warriors to take out Link, Revali himself doesn’t appear until he’s the last bird standing, so his actual theme song is saved for this clash of rivals. Instead, a different (and unless I’m mistaken, completely original) song, ironically titled “The Champion Revali,” plays throughout the majority of the level.
Right off the bat, we’re thrown into a 6/8 groove in F minor. This specific combination has been a staple of Rito music since their debut in The Wind Waker. The acoustic guitar strengthens this connection with its rhythm, being the classic flamenco pattern used in Dragon Roost Island. The melody that dances around the scale is played by an ocarina, which is obviously referencing the iconic Ocarina of Wind from The Minish Cap. A countermelody is played by an accordion, the signature sound of everyone’s favorite bird bard, Kass. The instrumentation choices are all incredibly fitting and harmonize perfectly.
The next section (starting at 0:36) features a lush string section. Its combination of speed and grace can only be achieved by those with a true mastery of the air. The violins rise together like the precise gusts of Revali’s Gale and I’m left baffled at how impressive these runs are every time I hear them. My favorite part, however, is the next section (starting at 1:03). The melody here is simply magical, featuring large leaps and tasteful flourishes that are perfect for soaring through a wintry sky. The ocarina and accordion team up to deliver a unique tone and all the pieces fit together in a stunning culmination of all things Rito.
This is undoubtedly one of my favorite songs in Age of Calamity, which says a lot when the game is filled to the brim with phenomenal music. A lot of its themes are remixed from Breath of the Wild, but Revali went out of his way to prove himself yet again. While reusing musical motifs is good for world building and can provide incredible emotional power, it’s not always a required ingredient. Even without any nostalgic melodies, this whole piece is drenched in Rito history and culture.
