Time Travel in Hyrule: Make or Break for Age of Imprisonment

In “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment,” players will delve deeper into Zelda’s perspective from the upcoming game “Tears of the Kingdom.” This spin-off promises to enrich the lore surrounding the imprisoning war. Although details about “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment” are scarce, one intriguing aspect is how it will tackle a recurring theme that many Zelda games, including “TotK,” frequently address.

For people not familiar, the “Hyrule Warriors” series is a spin-off from the “Legend of Zelda” games, blending with Koei Tecmo’s “Warriors” series. This fusion appears to be a winning combo for both franchises, and “Age of Imprisonment” is the third Hyrule-themed game in the spin-off series based on Zelda. However, while both earlier titles received acclaim, some Zelda fans were perplexed and disheartened by the non-canonical storyline of the second game, “Age of Calamity.” The controversial aspect of the third act in this game was the twist involving heroes from the current Hyrule era traveling back in time to assist in the war that destroyed the original timeline. Given that time travel is a key element in “Age of Imprisonment,” one can’t help but wonder if a similar plot twist could steer this game towards a similar path.

Age of Imprisonment Must Get Time Travel Right

In the Legend of Zelda series, time travel isn’t a novelty; it’s been a recurring theme since Ocarina of Time. Link has often found himself moving across different eras, with several cherished Zelda games incorporating time travel elements. The latest instance can be seen in Tears of the Kingdom, where Zelda is initially sent back in time at the start of the game. While Tears of the Kingdom primarily focuses on Link’s quest to discover Zelda’s location and lead Hyrule through various crises, Age of Imprisonment will delve deeper into Zelda’s past adventures and her struggle with new companions to imprison Ganondorf.

The storyline for “Age of Imprisonment” commences with Zelda’s journey through time. However, the details of what unfolds after that are still shrouded in mystery. Unlike the previous “Hyrule Warriors” games, “Age of Imprisonment” is considered part of the official “Zelda” universe as confirmed by Nintendo. In contrast to its predecessors, the first “Hyrule Warriors” being a spin-off and “Age of Calamity” leaving its canon unclear, it has been verified that the events in “Age of Imprisonment” are directly linked to “Tears of the Kingdom”. This means that the occurrences in this game depict actual past events in Hyrule, rather than just possible ones. As a result, the events of this game carry more significance than those of its forerunners, making them crucial for the game’s success.

Does Age of Imprisonment Need More Time Travel?

In the game “Age of Calamity”, the time-travel element is a point of contention among many fans. Some find it captivating, while others are less enthusiastic, especially regarding the roster and storyline. Although some players weren’t thrilled about the time travel aspect, it introduced some of the game’s most popular characters. Characters from the modern era, who were notably missing in “Breath of the Wild”, were particularly well-received in this roster that lacked recognition. Thus, despite being controversial, the time travel element enhanced a significant part of the gameplay experience.

Characters from Age of Calamity who traveled to the past included:

  • Yunobo
  • Teba
  • Sidon
  • Riju

Incorporating popular characters from “Tears of the Kingdom” into “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment” could boost player engagement and interest in the game’s roster. Characters like Zelda, King Rauru, and Queen Sonia are already well-known, while the ancient sages of Hyrule are yet to achieve iconic status. To make these less familiar characters more appealing, time travel might be employed as a narrative device. However, it is crucial that any time travel elements do not compromise the overall quality or satisfaction of the game’s storyline.

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2025-04-18 02:04