Decoding Hyrule’s History: Where Does Breath of the Wild REALLY Fit in the Zelda Timeline?
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Breath of the Wild (BotW) occupies a unique and deliberately ambiguous position: It’s set at the very end of the Legend of Zelda timeline, after a point of convergence where the various branching timelines have seemingly merged or become intertwined. Nintendo has intentionally avoided explicitly stating which specific timeline (Child, Adult, or Downfall) it belongs to, adding to the game’s mystique and sparking endless debate among fans. The official stance is that it takes place a very long time after Ocarina of Time in a timeline where Hyrule has faced Ganon repeatedly, but providing exact details remains elusive.
Understanding the Zelda Timeline Conundrum
The Legend of Zelda timeline is, to put it mildly, a mess. It’s a sprawling, branching narrative resulting from the events of Ocarina of Time. This game’s ending created three distinct timelines:
- The Child Timeline: Link returns to his childhood, preventing Ganondorf’s rise to power. This timeline includes games like Majora’s Mask and Twilight Princess.
- The Adult Timeline: Link defeats Ganondorf and departs Hyrule. This leads to the events of The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, and Spirit Tracks.
- The Downfall/Fallen Hero Timeline: Link is defeated by Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time. This timeline contains the original Legend of Zelda, A Link to the Past, and Link’s Awakening, among others.
The sheer complexity of these interwoven narratives has always been a point of contention and fascination for fans. Nintendo’s decision to leave Breath of the Wild‘s placement vague only amplified the debate.
Evidence for a Converged Timeline
While Nintendo hasn’t explicitly confirmed a timeline convergence, several in-game clues and developer statements suggest that Breath of the Wild exists in a future where elements from all three timelines have somehow merged:
- References to Multiple Eras: The game contains numerous references to past Zelda titles and events, drawing from all three timelines. For instance, the presence of the Rito (from the Adult Timeline’s The Wind Waker) and the Twili (from the Child Timeline’s Twilight Princess) indicate that elements from different timelines are present in the world of Breath of the Wild. Locations, items, and character names from across the series are peppered throughout the landscape.
- The Sheikah Technology: The advanced Sheikah technology in Breath of the Wild seems to draw inspiration from various eras, further blurring the lines between the established timelines. Its advanced nature could be interpreted as a culmination of technological advancements across all timelines.
- Ambiguous History: The in-game history books and tales are often vague and contradictory, suggesting that the precise details of past events have been lost or distorted over time. This vagueness lends itself to the idea of multiple timelines converging and their histories becoming intertwined.
Why the Ambiguity?
Nintendo’s choice to remain ambiguous about Breath of the Wild‘s timeline placement likely serves several purposes:
- Accessibility for New Players: By not explicitly tying the game to a specific timeline, Nintendo makes it more accessible for newcomers to the series. They don’t need to have extensive knowledge of the previous games to enjoy Breath of the Wild.
- Creative Freedom: Leaving the timeline open to interpretation grants Nintendo greater creative freedom in future installments. They can draw inspiration from any part of the Zelda universe without being strictly bound by established continuity.
- Fueling Fan Engagement: The ambiguity has undoubtedly fueled countless discussions and theories among fans, keeping the game relevant and engaging long after its release.
- Shifting Focus: The emphasis in Breath of the Wild is less on strict adherence to established lore and more on creating a compelling open-world experience. The timeline becomes secondary to the gameplay and exploration.
Tears of the Kingdom and the Timeline Puzzle
The release of Tears of the Kingdom (TotK) has further complicated, and perhaps clarified, the timeline situation. While it directly follows Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom introduces elements of time travel and ancient history that deepen the mystery. The introduction of Zonai technology, the depiction of Hyrule’s founding, and Zelda’s journey into the past add new layers to the already complex narrative. Some theorize that Zelda’s actions in the past may have contributed to the timeline’s convergence.
Ultimately, while both games provide hints and clues, the precise nature of Breath of the Wild‘s and Tears of the Kingdom‘s place in the Zelda timeline remains open to interpretation. This deliberate ambiguity has become a defining characteristic of these modern Zelda titles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which Zelda game establishes the beginning of the timeline?
- Skyward Sword establishes the beginning of the Zelda timeline. It sets up the birth of Hyrule, the creation of the Triforce and Master Sword, and the cycle of rebirth headed by Link, Zelda, and Demise.
2. Is there an official Zelda timeline?
- Yes, Nintendo published a master timeline in Hyrule Historia in 2011. The timeline had previously existed in a highly confidential document conceived of at least by 2003.
3. Is the Triforce mentioned in Breath of the Wild?
- Despite its prominence in the Zelda series, the Triforce plays no significant role in the storyline of Breath of the Wild. While it appears in various places within the game and manifests itself on the hand of Zelda in the battle against Calamity Ganon, it’s not central to the plot.
4. Does Breath of the Wild connect the timeline?
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Creating a Champion from 2018 has its own timeline. The thing is, it lumps everything together under one big question mark called “the distant past” — a period set more than 10,000 years prior. This suggests a potential convergence or at least a deliberate obfuscation of specific timeline details.
5. Does Breath of the Wild take place after Ocarina of Time?
- Yes, Breath of the Wild is set at the end of all three timelines, converging the series after the split following Ocarina of Time.
6. Is Breath of the Wild before or after Twilight Princess?
- Breath of the Wild takes place after Twilight Princess. However, it’s far enough in the future that the precise connection is obscured. Both are thought to be located within the Child Timeline.
7. Is Link’s Awakening a dream?
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is often interpreted as an “it was all a dream” narrative. Link is knocked unconscious and washes ashore on Koholint Island.
8. Is Ganon and Ganondorf the same person?
- Yes, Ganon and Ganondorf are the same person. Ganon is used to refer to the villain’s beast form, and Ganondorf is used to refer to his human Gerudo form.
9. Why is the Legend of Zelda timeline so confusing?
- The lack of an early plan and the fact that the first Zelda games were standalone titles contribute to the convoluted nature of the franchise’s timeline. The 2011 Hyrule Historia attempted to clarify the timeline, but it introduced further complexities with the branching timelines.
10. Can you keep playing Breath of the Wild after beating Ganon?
- Yes, you can keep playing Breath of the Wild after beating Ganon. Your save file will indicate that you’ve defeated him, but the world itself doesn’t change.
11. Why doesn’t Link talk in Breath of the Wild?
- According to Zelda’s diary in Hyrule Castle, Link remains steadfast so that he doesn’t succumb to the burdens of being the chosen hero. Link is often mute in Zelda games for gamer immersion.
12. Does Breath of the Wild have two endings?
- Yes, Breath of the Wild has two endings. The difference between them is negligible, with only a short cutscene differentiating BotW’s true ending from the standard one. To get the true ending, players must simply find all of Link’s forgotten memories.
13. Which Zelda game was set 10,000 years before BotW?
- The Great Calamity refers to the original emergence of Calamity Ganon, 10,000 years before the events of Breath of the Wild.
14. What is the longest Zelda game to complete?
- Tears of the Kingdom is roughly 55 Hours. Breath Of The Wild is roughly 50 Hours.
15. How is Zelda alive in Tears of the Kingdom?
- In Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda is sent to the past, to the time of the founding of the Kingdom of Hyrule. This is where Zelda will be during the majority of Tears of the Kingdom; witnessing the events that led to Ganondorf’s first sealing. This time travel is integral to the game’s plot.
As we’ve explored, the Zelda timeline, particularly regarding Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, remains a topic of much discussion and debate. It’s a puzzle that Nintendo has deliberately left unsolved, encouraging fans to continue exploring the rich lore and interconnected narratives of the Legend of Zelda universe. Exploring the nuances of gaming and learning can lead to profound insights. Discover more at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.