Is Breath of the Wild a Sequel to Ocarina of Time? Unraveling the Zelda Timeline
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The short answer is: it’s complicated. While Breath of the Wild (BotW) draws heavily on elements from Ocarina of Time (OoT), and there are strong thematic and world-building connections suggesting a distant, indirect sequel, it’s not a direct, straightforward continuation of OoT‘s narrative. The Zelda timeline is infamously fractured, and Breath of the Wild exists within that complex web, pulling pieces from different eras and creating its own unique space. The evidence points towards Breath of the Wild being a sequel to Ocarina of Time through one of the branches of the split timeline, but many years later.
Delving into the Zelda Timeline
To understand the relationship between Breath of the Wild and Ocarina of Time, one needs to grasp the confusing nature of the official Zelda timeline. Nintendo itself introduced the timeline in the Hyrule Historia book, revealing that Ocarina of Time‘s ending created three distinct timelines:
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The Adult Timeline: Link is sent back to his childhood, but Zelda sends him away for his safety. This timeline continues with The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, and Spirit Tracks.
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The Child Timeline: Link returns to his childhood to warn the Zelda of this timeline and prevent Ganondorf’s rise to power, This timeline continues with Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, and Four Swords Adventures.
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The Fallen Hero Timeline: Link is defeated by Ganon in Ocarina of Time, and then there is a future Link and Zelda who defeat Ganon. This timeline continues with A Link to the Past, Oracle of Seasons/Ages, Link’s Awakening, The Legend of Zelda, and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.
Where Breath of the Wild fits into this mess is a hotly debated topic. The game contains elements and references from all three timelines, making its precise placement difficult to determine with certainty.
Evidence Connecting Breath of the Wild to Ocarina of Time
Despite the timeline complexities, several factors suggest a connection, albeit a distant one, between Breath of the Wild and Ocarina of Time:
- Recurring Locations and Lore: The ruins of Lon Lon Ranch, a prominent location in Ocarina of Time, can be found in Breath of the Wild. This suggests a shared history and the passage of a significant amount of time. Other place names from Ocarina of Time show up in Breath of the Wild.
- The Master Sword and Hyrule’s Cycle: The recurring cycle of hero, princess, and villain, intertwined with the Master Sword and the fate of Hyrule, is central to both games. Breath of the Wild clearly builds upon the established lore of the series, with Ocarina of Time being a foundational pillar.
- Shared Races and Characters: While many races appear across multiple Zelda games, the presence of specific races and characters in Breath of the Wild echoes elements found in Ocarina of Time.
- The Sheikah Technology: The Sheikah, in Ocarina of Time, were sworn protectors of the Hylian Royal Family. This connection is reinforced in Breath of the Wild with the ancient Sheikah technology that Link utilizes throughout the game, demonstrating the Sheikah tribe’s continued influence in Hyrule’s history.
Why Breath of the Wild Isn’t a Direct Sequel
Despite these connections, Breath of the Wild isn’t a direct, immediate sequel for several reasons:
- Timeline Divergence: The timeline split throws a wrench into any simple sequel designation. Breath of the Wild appears to pull elements from all three branches, suggesting it might exist in a converged timeline or a distant future where those timelines have blurred.
- Historical Discrepancies: The history of Hyrule as presented in Breath of the Wild doesn’t perfectly align with the established histories of the other Zelda games, making a clean continuation difficult. Events and characters are mentioned that appear to be retellings or adaptations of previous stories.
- The Calamity Ganon: The nature of Calamity Ganon in Breath of the Wild is different from Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time. While both are incarnations of the same evil, their motivations, forms, and methods of attack differ significantly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Breath of the Wild isn’t a direct, straightforward sequel to Ocarina of Time, it is undeniably connected through shared lore, recurring locations, and thematic resonance. Breath of the Wild draws on the rich history of the Zelda universe, paying homage to its predecessors while forging its own unique path. Whether it’s considered a distant sequel, a reimagining, or a soft reboot is a matter of interpretation, contributing to the ongoing fascination and debate surrounding the Legend of Zelda series. To understand the nuances of how games impact our understanding of the world, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Zelda timeline?
The Zelda timeline is the chronological order of events depicted in the various Legend of Zelda games. It’s complex and fractured, officially divided into three branches after the events of Ocarina of Time.
2. Where does Breath of the Wild fit in the Zelda timeline?
Breath of the Wild‘s exact placement is debated, as it contains elements from all three timelines. Some theories suggest it’s a convergence of all timelines or occurs in a distant future.
3. Is Twilight Princess a sequel to Ocarina of Time?
Yes, Twilight Princess is considered a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time in the Child Timeline.
4. Why is the Zelda timeline so confusing?
The timeline is confusing due to the lack of an early plan and the fact that the first Zelda games were standalone titles. Nintendo later attempted to connect them, resulting in the fractured timeline.
5. Are all Zelda games connected?
Yes, all Legend of Zelda games take place in a connected timeline, albeit a complex and fractured one. They share a common history, characters, and lore.
6. Which Zelda timeline is canon?
All three branches of the timeline are considered canon.
7. What is the longest Zelda game?
Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild are the longest Zelda games, typically requiring 50-55 hours for a playthrough.
8. What is the shortest Zelda game?
The original The Legend of Zelda is often considered the shortest Zelda game, although its length depends on player experience.
9. What is the hardest Zelda game?
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is widely considered the hardest Zelda game due to its challenging combat and unforgiving gameplay.
10. What is the quickest Zelda game to speedrun?
A Link to the Past has the fastest speedrun time in the Zelda series.
11. Did Ganondorf exist before Ocarina of Time?
The first Ganondorf is supposed to have been born a bit before the Hyrulian civil war before Ocarina of Time, establishing him as an antagonist from the start.
12. Will Tears of the Kingdom be the end of Zelda?
No, it’s unlikely that Tears of the Kingdom will be the end of the Zelda series. The series is too successful to end here.
13. Is Breath of the Wild better than Ocarina of Time?
Whether Breath of the Wild is “better” is subjective. Breath of the Wild offers a more intricate and modern adventure with more to discover. Ocarina of Time is still considered a revolutionary game.
14. What game is the prequel to BotW?
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is the prequel to Breath of the Wild, depicting the events leading up to the Great Calamity.
15. How many hours is Ocarina of Time?
Ocarina of Time typically takes 26 to 37 hours to complete, depending on the side quests.