Does Tears of the Kingdom Break the Zelda Timeline?
The Zelda timeline is indeed affected by the events of Tears of the Kingdom, as it introduces a new timeline split with Zelda traveling back in time and a new version of Ganondorf appearing at the founding of Hyrule. This significant change raises questions about the continuity of the series and how Tears of the Kingdom fits into the overall Zelda narrative.
Understanding the Impact on the Zelda Timeline
The introduction of time travel in Tears of the Kingdom adds a new layer of complexity to the Zelda timeline, making it difficult to determine the exact placement of the game within the series. However, it is clear that Tears of the Kingdom does not directly continue the story of Breath of the Wild, but rather creates a new branch in the timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- Is Tears of the Kingdom the end of the Zelda timeline?: No, while it advances the story of Breath of the Wild, it does not necessarily spell the end of the entire Zelda franchise.
- Where does Tears of the Kingdom fit into the timeline?: The game takes place directly after Breath of the Wild, with certain flashbacks occurring in the distant past.
- Did Zelda go back in time in Tears of the Kingdom?: Yes, Princess Zelda directly travels through time without entering a portal, similar to Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask.
Game-specific Questions
- How many years passed in Tears of the Kingdom?: The game seems to take place roughly 2-3 years after the events of Breath of the Wild, although some estimates suggest it could be 5-6 years.
- Do Link and Zelda live together in Tears of the Kingdom?: There are subtle hints that Link and Zelda are in a relationship, with implications that they live together at Link’s house in Hateno Village.
- Is the Triforce in Tears of the Kingdom?: No, the Triforce is not featured in Tears of the Kingdom, possibly due to Zelda’s usage of it at the end of Breath of the Wild.
World and Characters
- Is Hyrule smaller in Tears of the Kingdom?: No, the world of Hyrule is actually significantly larger in Tears of the Kingdom, with many changes and new areas to explore.
- Will Tears of the Kingdom have Twilight?: The game includes a throwback to Twilight Princess with the Twilight Armor, but it does not feature a Twilight-style storyline.
- What is the new species in TotK?: The Dondons are a new species of four-legged beasts found in southern regions of Hyrule, playing a part in the game’s story.
Gameplay and Mechanics
- Does Tears of the Kingdom have weapon breaking?: Yes, weapons in Tears of the Kingdom will still break over time, although fusing them can delay this process.
- Can you get Epona in Tears of the Kingdom?: Yes, Epona can be obtained in the game, but it requires meeting specific out-of-game requirements.
- Will there be DLC in Tears of the Kingdom?: No, according to Aonuma, all desired elements were implemented in the game, and there will be no DLC.
Story and Characters
- Who is the final boss in Tears of the Kingdom?: The final boss of Tears of the Kingdom is Ganondorf, with the game building up to a long journey to prepare Link for this ultimate fight.
- Is there a romance in TotK?: While not explicitly stated, there are hints that Link and Zelda are in a romantic relationship, with Summersett confirming that they care for each other.
- Will there be a sequel to TotK?: A direct sequel to Tears of the Kingdom is unlikely, as the game serves as a satisfying conclusion to Breath of the Wild’s storyline, and the Zelda franchise typically introduces new versions of Hyrule with each new console.