Unraveling Time: Where Does Age of Calamity Really Take Place?
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity seemingly takes place 100 years before the events of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, specifically during the Great Calamity. However, and this is crucial, it doesn’t simply retell the events leading up to Breath of the Wild. Thanks to a time-traveling, miniature Guardian named Terrako, Age of Calamity unfolds in an alternate timeline, diverging significantly from the established canon. Thus, while sharing the Breath of the Wild‘s Hyrule and its characters, Age of Calamity charts its own course, creating a “what if?” scenario that alters the fate of the kingdom.
The Illusion of a Prequel: Canon vs. Alternate Timeline
Initially marketed and perceived as a straightforward prequel, Age of Calamity quickly revealed its true nature: a spin-off existing in its own branch of the Zelda timeline. While the game features familiar locations, characters, and events from the Calamity, the presence of Terrako and its intervention in the past alters the course of history in a fundamental way.
Think of it like this: imagine you have a movie scene. Breath of the Wild shows you the aftermath of that scene. Age of Calamity shows you the scene, but someone subtly changes the actors’ lines. The overall scene is still recognizable, but the ending is entirely different because of that small change. That’s Terrako, changing lines and influencing the narrative. The game is not canon because the order of events occurs in a different order from what Nintendo has previously established as canon.
Key Differences: A World Transformed
The most significant change is the survival of characters presumed dead in Breath of the Wild. In the original timeline, the Champions—Mipha, Revali, Daruk, and Urbosa—are tragically defeated by the Ganon Blights within the Divine Beasts. Their spirits are trapped until Link releases them a century later.
In Age of Calamity, however, thanks to Zelda awakening her powers sooner and the altered timeline, the Champions, along with King Rhoam, manage to survive the Calamity. Link also avoids being critically wounded. This single change ripples throughout the narrative, creating a drastically different outcome for Hyrule.
This divergence creates an entirely new story, where the heroes stand a fighting chance against Calamity Ganon in real-time, leading to a vastly different conclusion compared to the desolate Hyrule Link awakens to in Breath of the Wild.
Exploring Hyrule: Familiar Landscapes, New Outcomes
Age of Calamity allows players to revisit the vast and breathtaking landscape of Hyrule, meticulously recreated from Breath of the Wild. From the serene Zora’s Domain to the scorching Eldin Region, players can traverse familiar locales, battling hordes of enemies and engaging in strategic warfare.
Despite the visual similarities, the context is radically different. Instead of exploring ruins and remnants of a fallen kingdom, players witness Hyrule at its peak, bustling with life and actively resisting the encroaching darkness. This juxtaposition offers a unique perspective on the world and its inhabitants, highlighting the tragedy of the Calamity and the potential for a different future.
Not Just a Prequel, but a Divergence
It’s crucial to understand that Age of Calamity is not simply filling in the blanks of Breath of the Wild‘s backstory. It actively rewrites that story, presenting an alternate version of events that exists alongside the established timeline. Therefore, it’s more accurate to describe Age of Calamity as a “what if?” scenario, rather than a definitive prequel.
The Impact of Alternate Timelines
The use of alternate timelines is a recurring theme in the Legend of Zelda series, allowing for creative exploration of different possibilities and outcomes without compromising the established canon. Age of Calamity embraces this concept, offering a compelling and engaging story that complements Breath of the Wild while forging its own distinct identity.
A New Appreciation
Ultimately, Age of Calamity is an opportunity to dive deeper into the lore and history of Hyrule, experiencing the Great Calamity firsthand and witnessing an alternative fate for its beloved characters. It enriches the overall Breath of the Wild experience, providing a new perspective on the events that shaped the world and its inhabitants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some commonly asked questions about Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity to further clarify its place within the Zelda universe:
1. Is Age of Calamity canon to the main Legend of Zelda timeline?
No. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is considered non-canon. Its events occur in an alternate timeline due to the time travel of Terrako, leading to significant deviations from the established history.
2. Does the ending of Age of Calamity affect the story of Breath of the Wild?
No. Since Age of Calamity takes place in a separate timeline, its ending does not directly impact the events or storyline of Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom.
3. Are the characters’ personalities the same in Age of Calamity as in Breath of the Wild?
While the core personalities remain consistent, Age of Calamity offers a deeper exploration of the characters’ motivations, relationships, and backstories, providing new insights into their development before the Calamity.
4. Can you play as Ganon in Age of Calamity?
Yes, Calamity Ganon is a playable character in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, albeit in a limited capacity and requiring specific unlock conditions.
5. Is there a secret ending in Age of Calamity?
Yes, Age of Calamity features a secret ending. It can be unlocked by completing the main story, collecting Terrako parts, and finishing the Terrako Returns mission.
6. How does Age of Calamity explain Zelda’s powers awakening sooner?
The presence of Terrako and the altered timeline seem to play a role in Princess Zelda awakening her powers earlier than in the original Breath of the Wild timeline.
7. What is the main gameplay style of Age of Calamity?
Age of Calamity is a musou-style hack-and-slash game, where players control characters to battle hordes of enemies in large-scale combat scenarios.
8. Is there DLC available for Age of Calamity?
Yes, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity has an Expansion Pass DLC that includes two waves of downloadable content, adding new characters, stages, and story elements.
9. What role does Terrako play in the story of Age of Calamity?
Terrako, a miniature Guardian, is a pivotal character in Age of Calamity. Its time travel from the future is what creates the alternate timeline and alters the course of events.
10. How old is Purah in Age of Calamity?
In Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Purah is approximately 24 years old, as the game occurs during the Great Calamity.
11. Why doesn’t Link talk in Age of Calamity?
Link’s silence is attributed to the immense pressure and responsibility he carries as a knight and the chosen hero, forcing him to remain strong and bear his burdens silently.
12. Is Age of Calamity a grindy game?
The post-game content in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity can involve some grinding, but there are efficient methods to farm for rupees, weapons, and materials.
13. What makes Calamity Ganon different from other versions of Ganon?
Calamity Ganon is a devolved, corrupted form of Ganon that failed to reincarnate properly, resulting in a twisted mass of body parts and Malice.
14. Is Master Kohga a playable character in Age of Calamity?
Yes, Master Kohga is a playable character in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.
15. Is Age of Calamity good for learning about the Breath of the Wild universe?
Yes, but with caveats. Age of Calamity gives great context about the world before the Calamity. However, its timeline divergence makes it not the best educational tool. For educators and researchers exploring the learning potential of games, the Games Learning Society offers valuable resources and insights. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.