Is Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity a Sequel? Unraveling the Timeline
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The question of whether Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a sequel is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no. It’s a point of confusion for many, given its title and setting within the Legend of Zelda universe. The direct answer is: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is NOT a direct sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, nor is it a direct sequel to the original Hyrule Warriors. Instead, it serves as a prequel to Breath of the Wild in a separate timeline, while also functioning as a sequel within the Hyrule Warriors spin-off series. This duality is where most of the confusion arises. Let’s delve deeper to understand this complex relationship.
Understanding the Dual Nature of Age of Calamity
A Prequel Within a Spin-Off
Age of Calamity is, first and foremost, a musou spin-off, belonging to the Hyrule Warriors series, which itself is a spin-off of the core Legend of Zelda franchise. The original Hyrule Warriors (released in 2014) brought together various characters and settings from the Zelda universe in a hack-and-slash style. Age of Calamity builds upon that by focusing on a specific era – the events leading up to the Great Calamity, 100 years prior to Breath of the Wild. So in that respect, it’s a sequel in the Hyrule Warriors line.
However, this prequel narrative takes a detour. It’s not a simple retelling of what we know from Breath of the Wild. The game introduces a timeline divergence, which is established early on. When Princess Zelda awakens her powers, a small Guardian, Terrako, is activated and travels through time to the past. This single act creates an alternate timeline where the events of the Great Calamity unfold differently than the one presented in Breath of the Wild. This makes Age of Calamity a prequel specifically within this newly established alternate timeline. This effectively means it is not a direct prequel to the timeline explored in Breath of the Wild
Canon and Non-Canon
Because of this timeline split, Age of Calamity is considered non-canon to the main Legend of Zelda timeline by Nintendo’s official canon guidelines. This is because the order of events and the outcomes of major conflicts fundamentally differ from the established timeline of Breath of the Wild. The Champions survive, Link doesn’t endure severe injuries, and the outcome of the Calamity is averted in this specific timeline. The game takes established characters, lore and setting and changes the outcome.
Essentially, Age of Calamity explores a “what if” scenario, taking characters and events from Breath of the Wild and reinterpreting them within a different narrative framework. It offers a glimpse into the past, but not the definitive past of the Breath of the Wild timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions About Age of Calamity
To further clarify the complexities surrounding Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, let’s address some common questions:
Is Age of Calamity a prequel to Breath of the Wild?
Yes, in the sense that it is set before the events of Breath of the Wild. However, it’s crucial to remember that it’s a prequel in a separate timeline, not a direct prequel to Breath of the Wild’s canonical events. It’s best viewed as an alternate look at those events rather than a complete view.
Is Age of Calamity part of the main Legend of Zelda timeline?
No. Due to the timeline divergence created by Terrako’s time travel, Age of Calamity exists in its own separate timeline. It is not considered part of the official, main canon of the Legend of Zelda series as the events play out very differently.
Is Age of Calamity a spin-off game?
Yes. Age of Calamity is a spin-off of the Legend of Zelda franchise and belongs to the Hyrule Warriors series. It is a musou game, which differs significantly in gameplay from the traditional Legend of Zelda titles.
Do I need to play Age of Calamity before Tears of the Kingdom?
While not essential to the plot of Tears of the Kingdom, playing Age of Calamity can enhance your appreciation for the lore and characters. It provides additional context and exploration of characters you may know from Breath of the Wild.
Who is the main villain in Age of Calamity?
While Calamity Ganon is the ultimate antagonist, Astor serves as a prominent villain and one of Calamity Ganon’s right-hand men. Astor plays a significant role in the story, actively opposing the heroes.
Is Ganon playable in Age of Calamity?
Yes. Calamity Ganon is a playable character that can be unlocked in the game. This allows players to experience combat from the perspective of the ultimate evil of the game.
Is Zelda playable in Age of Calamity?
Yes, Princess Zelda is a playable character. In addition to Link and other characters, you can play as many iconic heroes from the game.
Are the Champions alive in Age of Calamity?
Yes, unlike in Breath of the Wild, the Champions (Mipha, Revali, Daruk, and Urbosa) survive the events of the Great Calamity in the timeline of this game.
Is there a secret ending in Age of Calamity?
Yes, there is a secret ending that can be unlocked after completing the main story and post-game content. This ending further explores the events of the new timeline.
Is Age of Calamity repetitive?
While the core combat system of Age of Calamity can feel repetitive, the game offers diverse playable characters, varying objectives, and a compelling story. The experience is often described as fun and satisfying, even with the repetition of the combat.
Why is it called Calamity Ganon?
The term “Calamity Ganon” refers to Ganon’s incomplete and distorted form following a failed reincarnation. It’s a powerful embodiment of malice and destruction, unlike the more traditionally human forms of Ganon.
What creature is Calamity Ganon?
Calamity Ganon’s physical form is a grotesque, spider-like monster, and his final form is Dark Beast Ganon, a giant boar.
Is Hyrule Warriors or Age of Calamity better?
The choice between the original Hyrule Warriors and Age of Calamity depends on personal preference. Age of Calamity generally features more refined combat, while the original Hyrule Warriors has a broader scope in terms of characters and scenarios that pull from the wider Zelda series.
What happened to Zelda at the end of Age of Calamity?
In the end, Zelda successfully uses her powers to seal away Calamity Ganon. In the secret ending, Zelda is reunited with Terrako.
What is the significance of Terrako in Age of Calamity?
Terrako, the mini guardian, plays a pivotal role in Age of Calamity. Its time travel is what establishes the alternate timeline and it ultimately sacrifices itself to weaken Ganon in the final battle.
Conclusion
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a complex game that functions as both a prequel and a sequel depending on how you look at it. It is a prequel to Breath of the Wild within its separate timeline and it’s also a sequel within the Hyrule Warriors spin-off series. Understanding its place within the wider lore of The Legend of Zelda helps to appreciate its unique narrative and impact on the world we know. The game is a “what if” story that allows us to engage with our beloved characters and story in new and creative ways, even while it exists outside of the core series’ canon.