Is Hyrule Warriors Canon to the Zelda Timeline?
The Legend of Zelda series has been a beloved franchise for decades, with a rich history of storytelling and world-building. Hyrule Warriors, a game developed by Omega Force and Team Ninja, is a crossover between the Zelda series and the Dynasty Warriors series. The game is set in the world of Hyrule, but its place within the Zelda timeline has long been a topic of debate among fans. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Hyrule Warriors and explore the question: Is Hyrule Warriors canon to the Zelda timeline?
Origins of Hyrule Warriors
Hyrule Warriors was first released in 2014 for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. The game combines the action-packed gameplay of Dynasty Warriors with the iconic characters and settings of The Legend of Zelda series. The game’s story follows Princess Zelda as she wields the Master Sword and leads a group of brave warriors against the forces of evil.
Is Hyrule Warriors Canon?
Non-Canon Status
In an interview with Nintendo Everything, Hyrule Warriors director Hiromu Sugimoto confirmed that the game is not canon to the Zelda timeline. According to Sugimoto, the game’s story was designed to be a standalone tale within the world of Hyrule, rather than a part of the mainline Zelda narrative.
Timeline Considerations
The Zelda timeline is notoriously complex, with multiple branches and timelines to navigate. The events of Hyrule Warriors take place before the events of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which is a major installment in the series. While this doesn’t necessarily make the game non-canon, it does suggest that Hyrule Warriors is likely set in a alternate timeline or a prequel to Breath of the Wild.
Canon Guidelines
In the Zelda series, the definition of canon is somewhat fuzzy. According to an interview with Zelda series producer, Eiji Aonuma, "canon" refers to the game’s story and setting. This means that characters, locations, and plot points within the game are considered part of the game’s canon, regardless of their connection to the broader Zelda timeline.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, the latest installment in the series, is a bit of a gray area when it comes to canon. The game takes place 100 years before the events of Breath of the Wild, and features characters and locations from both the original Hyrule Warriors and Breath of the Wild. While the game’s story is not necessarily part of the mainline Zelda narrative, it is set within the world of Hyrule and features many of the same characters and locations.
Post-Game Content and DLC
The game has received two waves of downloadable content (DLC) as part of the Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass. This DLC adds new characters, stages, and gameplay mechanics to the game, further expanding the world of Hyrule Warriors.
In Conclusion
While Hyrule Warriors is not directly part of the mainline Zelda timeline, it is set within the world of Hyrule and features many of the same characters and locations. The game’s story is a standalone tale within the world of Hyrule, rather than a part of the mainline Zelda narrative. As such, it is technically non-canon to the Zelda timeline.
However, the game’s connections to Breath of the Wild and its setting within the world of Hyrule make it a relevant and interesting addition to the Zelda franchise. As fans of the series, we can appreciate Hyrule Warriors for its unique blend of action-packed gameplay and beloved characters, even if it’s not directly connected to the mainline Zelda timeline.
Table of Canon Status
| Game | Canon Status |
|---|---|
| Hyrule Warriors | Non-Canon |
| Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity | Gray Area |
Key Takeaways
- Hyrule Warriors is not canon to the Zelda timeline.
- The game’s story is a standalone tale within the world of Hyrule.
- The game is set before the events of Breath of the Wild, but in a separate timeline.
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a gray area when it comes to canon.
- The game has received two waves of downloadable content (DLC) as part of the Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass.
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