Bridging the Gap: Unraveling the Time Between Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

The burning question on every Legend of Zelda fan’s mind is: How much time truly separates the events of Breath of the Wild (BotW) and its highly anticipated sequel, Tears of the Kingdom (TotK)? While Nintendo remains tight-lipped with an official declaration, we can confidently say, based on in-game clues, character development, and the overall state of Hyrule, that approximately 2-3 years pass between the two games. This estimate aligns with the observable changes in the world, character growth, and certain NPC dialogues.

Deciphering the Hyrulean Calendar: Evidence for the Time Jump

The passage of time in Tears of the Kingdom is subtly yet convincingly conveyed. It’s not a dramatic leap of decades or centuries, but a perceptible shift that suggests a world moving forward after the Calamity. Here’s a breakdown of the evidence:

• Hyrule’s Reconstruction: One of the most obvious indicators is the state of Hyrule itself. While much of the landscape remains familiar, there’s clear progress in rebuilding towns and infrastructure. Areas that were desolate ruins in BotW show signs of habitation and repair. This rebuilding process doesn’t happen overnight; it requires time, resources, and concerted effort.

• Character Development: Key characters demonstrate noticeable growth and maturity. For instance, the children from Hateno Village, like Sefani and Safras, are older and more independent. The Champions’ descendants, such as Riju, Yunobo, Sidon, and Tulin, have further developed their skills and assumed greater responsibilities within their respective communities. These changes point towards a meaningful passage of time.

• NPC Dialogues and Quests: Conversations with NPCs provide subtle hints about the timeline. Many characters reference the events of Breath of the Wild as having happened a few years prior. Quests often involve tasks that wouldn’t be necessary if only a short amount of time had passed.

• Purah’s Continued Research: Purah, the Sheikah scientist, continues her research and development of ancient technology. Although she doesn’t age much outwardly (thanks to her earlier age-reversal experiment!), her scientific advancements suggest a period of consistent work and experimentation.

• General Consensus: The general consensus online aligns with the 2-3 year estimate. While various fan theories exist, a close observation of in-game details points towards a more contained passage of time. Various online conversations, including discussions on Reddit and dedicated Zelda forums, show that most players agree with this.

Why Not Longer?

While some argue for a longer time jump (5-7 years), the degree of societal change within Hyrule suggests a shorter timeframe. A drastically longer period might lead to more significant societal shifts and changes in the landscape. However, Hyrule remains recognizably the same, indicating a more recent setting.

The story specifically acknowledges the aftermath of Calamity Ganon, indicating that it wasn’t so long ago as to have become part of an ancient history that most have forgotten.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Timeline

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to clarify the timeline and related aspects of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom:

1. Does Tears of the Kingdom take place directly after Breath of the Wild? While TotK‘s narrative follows BotW, there is a definite time skip of approximately 2-3 years. The games are connected but not seamless.

2. Is Tears of the Kingdom the last game in the Zelda timeline? Currently, yes. Tears of the Kingdom represents the end of the established timeline. Whether future games will be set after TotK or explore other points in the timeline remains to be seen.

3. Why isn’t the Triforce prominent in Tears of the Kingdom? A popular theory suggests that Zelda’s use of the Triforce at the end of Breath of the Wild fulfilled its purpose, causing it to disappear, at least temporarily.

4. How is Zelda alive in Tears of the Kingdom? During a mysterious incident, Zelda is sent into the distant past, specifically to the era when the Kingdom of Hyrule was founded. Her experience and interactions in the past are a crucial part of TotK‘s narrative.

5. Should I play Breath of the Wild before Tears of the Kingdom? While you can enjoy Tears of the Kingdom without playing Breath of the Wild, doing so will provide invaluable context and emotional resonance. Understanding the characters, world, and previous events enhances the TotK experience.

6. How old is Purah in Tears of the Kingdom? Due to her age-altering experiments, Purah is estimated to be around 130 years old in Tears of the Kingdom, despite her youthful appearance.

7. Why was Tears of the Kingdom priced at $70? Nintendo justified the price point by stating it reflects the scope and depth of the game, indicating a more expansive and content-rich experience than Breath of the Wild.

8. Does Ganon return in Tears of the Kingdom? Yes, Ganondorf returns as the primary antagonist in Tears of the Kingdom.

9. How old is Link in Breath of the Wild? Considering his 100-year slumber in the Shrine of Resurrection, Link is roughly 117 years old in Breath of the Wild, although physically he is around 17.

10. Is Tears of the Kingdom a time loop? The narrative involving Zelda’s time travel and her influence on Hyrule’s history introduces elements of a stable time loop.

11. Which Zelda timeline is considered canon? All the mainline Zelda games are considered canon, with Skyward Sword establishing the beginning of the complex and branching timeline. You can even learn more about games and education at Games Learning Society.

12. How long was Tears of the Kingdom in development? Tears of the Kingdom was in development for approximately six years.

13. Why hasn’t Link aged in Tears of the Kingdom? Link’s lack of aging is due to a combination of his Hylian physiology and the restorative powers he experiences, plus he’s already biologically young.

14. Is Tears of the Kingdom bigger than Breath of the Wild? Yes. With the addition of the sky islands and the Depths, Tears of the Kingdom offers significantly more explorable area than Breath of the Wild.

15. Is Tears of the Kingdom harder than Breath of the Wild? Many players find Tears of the Kingdom more challenging, particularly in the early game, due to tougher enemies and more complex combat mechanics.

The Future of Hyrule and the Games Learning Society

While the exact length of the time skip between Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom might be debated amongst fans, the evidence suggests a period of roughly 2-3 years. This timeframe allows for meaningful changes in Hyrule’s landscape, character development, and societal progress, enriching the narrative experience of Tears of the Kingdom. As Nintendo continues to expand the Legend of Zelda universe, the complexities of its timeline offer endless opportunities for discussion, theorizing, and appreciation of these beloved games. To learn more about how games like Zelda can influence learning and education, explore the research and resources available at GamesLearningSociety.org.