Is Age of Calamity actually a prequel?

Is Age of Calamity Actually a Prequel?

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is an action-adventure game developed by Omega Force and Team Ninja, released in 2020 for the Nintendo Switch. As a spin-off of the popular Dynasty Warriors series and the Legend of Zelda franchise, Age of Calamity takes place a century before the events of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The game’s narrative is designed to provide a deeper understanding of the events leading up to the Calamity, and whether it can be considered a prequel to Breath of the Wild is a topic of interest among fans and critics.

A Century Before the Calamity

In Age of Calamity, the story takes place a century before the events of Breath of the Wild, when the kingdom of Hyrule is still flourishing. The game follows the story of Impa, a young servant of the royal family, and Link, a skilled warrior who becomes embroiled in the events leading up to the Calamity. The game’s narrative explores the origins of the Calamity and the role of the divine beasts, which play a crucial role in the story.

Non-Canonical Events

While Age of Calamity takes place before the events of Breath of the Wild, the game’s narrative is not considered part of the mainline Zelda canon. According to an interview with Eiji Aonuma, the game’s producer, Age of Calamity is designed to be a standalone story that does not affect the events of Breath of the Wild. The game’s events are non-canonical, meaning they do not impact the overall story or timeline of the Zelda series.

Timeline Discrepancies

One of the main points of contention among fans and critics is the timeline discrepancies between Age of Calamity and Breath of the Wild. The game’s events occur a century before the Calamity, but the game’s story does not align with the events depicted in Breath of the Wild. This has led some to question the game’s status as a prequel, as the events depicted in Age of Calamity do not seem to have any impact on the events of Breath of the Wild.

Alternate Timeline

Another possibility is that Age of Calamity takes place on an alternate timeline, separate from the events of Breath of the Wild. This would explain the discrepancies between the two games’ stories and the lack of canonical connections between the two. While this may not be explicitly stated in the game’s narrative, it is a possibility that has been explored by fans and critics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Age of Calamity is not considered a canonical part of the Zelda series, it is an interesting spin-off that explores the events leading up to the Calamity. The game’s narrative takes place a century before the events of Breath of the Wild, but the game’s events do not have any direct impact on the events of the mainline Zelda games. Whether Age of Calamity is considered a prequel is a matter of interpretation, but its unique storyline and gameplay mechanics make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the Zelda series.

Key Takeaways

• Age of Calamity is a spin-off of the Legend of Zelda series, set a century before the events of Breath of the Wild.
• The game’s narrative is non-canonical, meaning it does not affect the events of the mainline Zelda games.
• The game’s timeline discrepancies have led some to question its status as a prequel.
• Alternate timeline theory: Age of Calamity takes place on a separate timeline from Breath of the Wild.
• Age of Calamity’s unique storyline and gameplay mechanics make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the Zelda series.

Table: Timeline Discrepancies

References

• "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity" official game website.
• Aonuma, Eiji. Interview with IGN.
• "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" official game website.