Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Canon Status Sets Zelda Precedent

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From the list of upcoming games for the Nintendo Switch 2, “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment” stands out as an unexpected choice. While it’s not surprising that Nintendo is maintaining its collaboration with Koei Tecmo through another “Warriors” crossover game, it seems swift to move from experiencing the backstory of “Breath of the Wild” in “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity” to “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment”, which promises a similar experience with “Tears of the Kingdom”. This isn’t what many were anticipating as part of the next installment of “The Legend of Zelda” series, but it’s a pleasant addition to the franchise.

In “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment,” the narrative shifts back to an earlier conflict, specifically the Imprisoning War as depicted in “Tears of the Kingdom.” Players will assume command over characters like Princess Zelda, Rauru, and the ancestral Sages, along with other warriors from Hyrule’s ancient past. Together, they’ll confront Demon King Ganondorf at the peak of his power. Given the significant influence this grand war had in “Tears of the Kingdom” despite its brief appearance on screen, this installment promises to be a significant undertaking. Moreover, the early confirmation of its canonicity hints at a substantial change within the “Hyrule Warriors” series.

Hyrule Warriors Hasn’t Overlapped With Zelda Canon Before

Following the unveiling of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Nintendo released a statement confirming its events as official storyline, marking a significant shift compared to previous installments of Hyrule Warriors. Unlike the original Hyrule Warriors which was a “crisis crossover” narrative set in an alternate reality, freely incorporating characters and elements from the Zelda series, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment presents itself as a standalone storyline that significantly alters the events of the game, even going so far as to change the course of events in Breath of the Wild. These stories, whether well-received or not, have clearly distinguished themselves from their original sources.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Is Changing the Status Quo

The status of the game titled “Age of Imprisonment” seems to be transitioning from non-canonical to canonical, which brings both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, its narrative will face greater scrutiny, but on the other, with Princess Zelda traveling back in time to the era of the Imprisoning War in “Tears of the Kingdom“, there’s less cause for concern about replicating the contentious story adjustments seen in “Age of Calamity“. Moreover, the Imprisoning War and its Sage characters could greatly benefit from further exploration, and “Age of Imprisonment” might be instrumental in enriching “TotK“, just as it is being enriched by it. The potential for a canonical “Hyrule Warriors” series is exciting, not only for this game but also for future ones.

Age of Imprisonment Could Lead To More Canon Zelda Spin-Offs

Many Zelda Entries Have Room For Their Own Hyrule Warriors

If the “Age of Imprisonment” aligns with the Zelda timeline, it could pave the way for more official Hyrule Warriors games. The Legend of Zelda often hints at mythology, wars, and ancient civilizations, yet seldom depicts them directly. With Hyrule Warriors, we might finally witness these vague conflicts unfold, potentially expanding on Zelda lore in the process. Like “Age of Imprisonment”, this approach carries a degree of risk, but the potential benefits could be significant.

In the games like “Ocarina of Time”, “Twilight Princess”, and “The Wind Waker”, we see wars and battles against Ganondorf in their stories, whereas “Skyward Sword” hints at Zelda’s first adventure, which lays the groundwork for its own quest. The chance to experience the original conflict with the original characters, Hylia and Demise, would be thrilling. Interestingly, the gameplay style of “Warriors” could mesh nicely with “Skyward Sword’s” combat emphasis. It’s important to note that there are no definitive plans yet, but “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment” might introduce a new storytelling approach that could revolutionize the Zelda franchise completely.

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2025-04-16 17:36