Is Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity a Continuation? Unraveling the Timeline
No, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is not a direct continuation in the traditional sense. While it utilizes the world, characters, and lore established in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, it operates within an alternate timeline due to the intervention of time travel. It’s more accurate to describe it as a spin-off and a prequel that diverges from the established canon, offering a “what if” scenario rather than a seamless progression of events. The game explores the events leading up to the Great Calamity, but it presents them in a way that ultimately creates a separate, non-canonical timeline.
Understanding the Timeline Divergence
The key element that differentiates Age of Calamity from being a true continuation is the introduction of Terrako, a small guardian robot that travels back in time from the doomed future of Breath of the Wild. This act of time travel alters the course of events, preventing some tragedies and changing the destinies of certain characters. This alteration fundamentally separates Age of Calamity’s narrative from the established canon of Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom. While it enriches the lore and provides backstory, it does so within the context of this alternate reality. Therefore, it would be more apt to consider the games as parallel narratives rather than as one directly continuing from the other.
The Allure of the Alternate Timeline
The decision to create an alternate timeline allows for narrative freedom and the exploration of scenarios that would have been impossible within the confines of the established canon. We witness characters surviving that originally did not, key events playing out differently and altered character fates. This enables the developers to provide new insights into familiar characters and relationships. For instance, the game delves deeper into the relationships between the Champions, Zelda’s struggle with her powers, and the overall despair felt by the characters on the eve of destruction. The game masterfully uses the Dynasty Warriors gameplay formula to depict epic battles, which would make them much more exciting, but also provide alternative outcomes to the desperate battles of the time.
Deeper Dive into the Relationship Between Games and Learning
Exploring these narratives can offer educational insights into topics such as cause and effect, decision making, and historical analysis. Games like Age of Calamity serve as engaging tools for discussing the consequences of actions and the nature of time. The Games Learning Society advocates for the exploration of these educational opportunities within games. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to see other examples of how games and the education of gaming narratives interact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Age of Calamity canon to the main Zelda timeline?
No, Age of Calamity is not considered canon by Nintendo. Its narrative deviates from the established events of Breath of the Wild due to time travel and alterations to the storyline. The canon status is determined by Nintendo’s official stance, and they have confirmed the game is a separate, non-canonical timeline.
2. Does Age of Calamity spoil Breath of the Wild’s story?
While Age of Calamity explores events leading up to Breath of the Wild, it ultimately presents them in a different way. Knowing the events of Age of Calamity might diminish some of the mystery surrounding the Great Calamity, but it won’t necessarily spoil the core narrative of Breath of the Wild, especially since the two games don’t align perfectly. However, it is recommended to play Breath of the Wild first for the greatest immersion.
3. Are there any connections between Age of Calamity and Tears of the Kingdom?
Indirectly, yes. Both games share the same world, characters, and overall lore. However, since Age of Calamity exists in an alternate timeline, its events do not directly impact the narrative of Tears of the Kingdom. Instead, it provides a different perspective on the characters and world that enrich the overall Zelda mythos. In this way, even though it is not canon, it can still influence the way players see the canon lore.
4. What is the significance of Terrako in Age of Calamity?
Terrako’s time travel is the catalyst for the alternate timeline in Age of Calamity. It alters the course of events, preventing some tragedies and changing character destinies. Without Terrako, the events of Age of Calamity would likely have mirrored those described in Breath of the Wild, leading to the same apocalyptic outcome.
5. Can you play as Calamity Ganon in Age of Calamity?
Yes, Calamity Ganon is a playable character in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Unlocking him requires completing certain challenges within the game. Playing as Calamity Ganon offers a unique gameplay experience and provides a different perspective on his power and motivations.
6. Does Age of Calamity have a post-game?
Yes, Age of Calamity has extensive post-game content. This includes new quests, challenges, and unlockable characters. The post-game allows players to further explore the world, strengthen their characters, and experience more of the story.
7. Is Age of Calamity just a hack-and-slash game?
While Age of Calamity is primarily a hack-and-slash game in the style of Dynasty Warriors, it also incorporates elements of the Zelda series, such as exploration, item usage, and strategic combat. The game features a variety of characters with unique abilities and playstyles, offering a diverse and engaging gameplay experience.
8. How does Age of Calamity change the fates of the Champions?
In Breath of the Wild, all four Champions – Mipha, Revali, Daruk, and Urbosa – are killed during the Great Calamity. However, in Age of Calamity’s alternate timeline, their fates are altered. The time travel creates new opportunities for them to survive, changing the course of the war against Calamity Ganon. These heroes have the opportunity to change their fates.
9. Does Link talk in Age of Calamity?
As with most Zelda games, Link remains a silent protagonist in Age of Calamity. While he expresses himself through actions and expressions, he does not have any spoken dialogue. This allows players to project themselves onto the character and immerse themselves in the world. In the lore, Link is said to do this to stay strong, and to silently bear any burden.
10. Is Zelda’s role different in Age of Calamity compared to Breath of the Wild?
Yes, Zelda’s role is significantly different in Age of Calamity. While she is initially struggling to unlock her powers, she plays a more active role in the battles and events leading up to the Great Calamity. This allows players to witness her growth and development as a character and see her be a key figure in the story.
11. What is the secret ending in Age of Calamity?
The secret ending in Age of Calamity is unlocked by completing certain post-game quests and challenges. It features Purah and Robbie repairing Terrako, reuniting Zelda with her long-lost friend. This ending provides a sense of closure and hope for the future, demonstrating that despite all that occurred, there is still hope and the possibility of fixing mistakes.
12. Are there any DLC packs for Age of Calamity?
Yes, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity has an Expansion Pass DLC. This included two waves of downloadable content, which added new characters, stages, and storylines to the game. The DLC expanded the world and enriched the experience for players who wanted to delve deeper into the story and gameplay.
13. How does Age of Calamity’s gameplay compare to the original Hyrule Warriors?
Age of Calamity shares the hack-and-slash gameplay of the original Hyrule Warriors, but it is more closely tied to the Breath of the Wild universe. It incorporates elements from the Zelda series, such as item usage, exploration, and strategic combat. Age of Calamity also features a deeper storyline and a more focused narrative than the original Hyrule Warriors.
14. What makes Calamity Ganon so powerful?
Calamity Ganon is a manifestation of Ganon’s hatred and malice, built up over millennia of reincarnation and conflict. He represents a raw and untamed force of destruction. Unlike previous incarnations, Calamity Ganon is a devolved, primal form, lacking the cunning and intellect of his humanoid counterparts, but possessing immense power and a single-minded focus on destruction.
15. Does Age of Calamity offer any new insights into the world of Breath of the Wild?
Yes, Age of Calamity offers new insights into the world of Breath of the Wild by exploring the events leading up to the Great Calamity. It provides context for the state of Hyrule in Breath of the Wild, reveals more about the characters and their relationships, and offers a different perspective on the overall lore. Even though it is not canon, Age of Calamity’s exploration of the world gives more context to Breath of the Wild for players new to either title.