Update: Read my follow-up post, Timeline Merge Theory.
Zelda fans right now certainly will go crazy over timeline theories again. It's obvious that Breath of the Wild does take place long after the Zelda series as we know it. We have entered an age of technology and we see the remains of past places, like the Temple of Time. So, the real question is, which of three timelines will make a wild breath into the future!
My personal favorite before the E3 presentations was the Downfall Timeline, because of several reasons. The world of Zelda II - The Adventure of Link has been the largest in Zelda yet and it made sense to expand from there. They also wanted to go back to the roots, so placing the game after the NES Classics would be meaningful. It also fits the idea of a ruined Hyrule very well with a rusty Master Sword back on the pedestal that we knew from A Link to the Past, as well as the idea of resurrecting the Hero, where the Downfall timeline is where Link's death actually has outcomes. Ganon also gets mentioned as the antagonist (it seems like he was imprisoned inside Hyrule Castle) and he has been prominent in the Downfall timeline mostly.
But Ganon appeared in Four Swords Adventures as well and we get to warp in Wolf Link as a companion (this part is probably non-canon, though), so the Child Timeline might be also a candidate. We even see structures that are reminiscent of the Hyrule from Twilight Princess, like the Great Bridge of Hylia. What speaks against this specific timeline is the fact that we still have the Temple of Time in the new game in some shape, while it was completely ruined in Twilight Princess.
The Adult Timeline gets supported by the Koroks, who seem to be very close in appearance to the Wind Waker. Those might even be the same guys, who have planted the trees all over the Great Sea in the hope that more land will grow. And these could be the lands, where the Great Sea was ages ago... But we already got a Hyrule there and Breath of the Wild shows a remarkable lack of rails so far. And again, the Temple of Time shouldn't be here anymore, if those are the new lands after the era of the Great Sea, unless the Temple survived somehow and they simply decided to move the Master Sword elsewhere. But the Temple of Time pretty much points towards the Downfall Timeline and it's possible that the Koroks simply existed there as well.
If it's in the other timelines, due to the Temple of Time the game would have to take place either before Twilight Princess or The Wind Waker, which wouldn't be all that satisfying. Nintendo would have to bother with connecting the games correctly or they would leave a mess behind. And the Sheikah technology would get wiped away afterwards, while it looks like a promising new feature for the future of Zelda. I think, this game would be best at the end of the timeline(s), where it can freely lead into a new era of the Zelda series, instead of being just another note within the timeline. And that's probably best after the NES games. All other games since the classics went either backwards or sideways. And now it's time to move forward.
But I have a bold prediction: why not all three timelines? Already in Skyward Sword the technology to mess with time was displayed by the timeshift stones and the Gate of Time. The latter was even related to the Sheikah and the Goddess Hylia. I suppose the Sheikah or Hylia, who could even turn out to be the (new) Goddess of Time, could take a similar role to Cia in Hyrule Warriors, overseeing all the times. Now, maybe they saw a reason to merge the timelines back together. (I know that theoretically this would be impossible and pure nonsense, but so is time travel into the past.) Maybe a great evil (Ganon or even Demise in some other form) arose in all three timelines and to contain it they fused them all together, which created the new Hyrule in Breath of the Wild, where elements from all the Zelda games are coming together.
The things that existed in all three timelines got fused and now show traits of all their versions: Hyrule, Ganon and the Hero. This would explain, how this "Calamity Ganon" could take so many different forms, because he's essentially Demise's reincarnation from all three timelines. And this would explain, why get to meet Koroks on top of the Temple of Time.
I could already picture, how in the story the timeline gets displayed on one of the Sheikah screens explaining the convergence, displaying Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild as the polar opposites in the timeline...
The timeline got split into three, much like the Triforce. And to further this symbolism it would be meaningful to reunite all three universes at some point, much like the Triforce.
That might be a crazy idea, but it would also be an interesting way of "rebooting" the franchise without completely ignoring its previous installments. Instead it would fuse all the different universes back together into one experience. If Breath of the Wild really is supposed to be the next revolutionary installment of the series, it should have a similar influence on the timeline as Ocarina of Time did, instead of being just another entry, where it would be overshadowed by the games around it, because it needs to fit their realities. And I personally like the idea of fixing the "damage".
12 comments:
I am a huge Zelda fan, and I have to say, I've studied the trailer dozens of times over the past few days. And while studying, I found many clues as to where the timeline is placed. If you look at the artwork that leaked on Amazon, you can see link climbing a cliff face, several blue, glowing towers, and a castle surrounded in smoke, and red pillars. I believe, this is none other than Ganon's Caslte. The very same in OoT.
Also, if you look at the gameplay footage, the Temple of Time is in ruin, and the remnants of castle town are just outside. Assuming the Amazon painting was taken during the afternoon, the Temple of Time is East of Ganon's Castle. Exactly where it is in OoT.
With this evidence, I conclude that Breath of the Wild will take place 50-100 years after OoT in the Downfall Timeline. (Before aLttP, after OoT) I know what your going to say, "what about the korok, and the rusty master sword? Well, evolution in Hyrule is kind of messed up. (Zoras turning into Rito when the world floods) and the picture of the rusty master sword could be what happens once Link's quest is over, far afterwards, or there is a time travel mechanic. If you look at the aLttP manual, you see the exact same shot of the sword, proving it takes place some time around that era. The Temple of time is absent in aLttP, but present in Breath of the Wild, proving it comes before then.
If you find any evidence opposing this theory, please post it below. I want my theories to be 100% accurate.
Thank you for reading, -CourageousTriangle
It's still possible that the ruins of the Temple of Time exists somewhere in the realms of A Link to the Past. Hyrule is usually a lot larger than what we get to see in the games, as indicated by Zelda II or Four Swords.
Also, after the events of Ocarina of Time in the Downfall Timeline Ganondorf gets sealed into the Sacred Realm by the Sages. Not in Hyrule Castle.
I personally also don't like the idea of putting it between Zelda game x and y. For the necessary creative freedom of this new Science Fantasy Zelda era you want something new at the end of the timeline. Again, I personally like the "timeline merge" idea best, because it opens up many possibilities and explains why there are things from all three timelines, like the Temple of Time, Koroks and Wolf Link.
P.S. I also think that BotW Link, is actually the kid of SS Link and Zelda. If you look at their faces, you can see the resemblance, especially in the ears. Also, the BotW Link is right handed, just like SS Link. One of the game directors commented on this, and said that it is because the buttons used to control your weapon, is on the right side, but that didn't stop them from making two HD remakes on the Wii U with left handed Links.
BotW Link is first seen in something called the "Shrine of Resurrection." Maybe BotW link was sealed away until a hero was needed, almost like a backup. When OoT link is defeated, they take BotW link out of stasis.
Another strange thing, the woman's voice you hear sounds exactly what I envisioned an older Zelda to sound like. It says, "Link, you are the light- OUR light-" as if she was talking to her child.
Conclusion: either BotW is the child of SS Link, or the NX has motion controls. -CourageousTriangle
Like I said, still a theory. At this point, anything is possible.
Thanks for the feedback.
What about the imprisoning War? There was a period of time when Ganon ruled everything with the complete Triforce before he was sealed away by the Sages. BotW could take place during this time, as this is a major event with no game during it. It would make sense if Nintendo tried to fill in the gaps, instead of complicating the timeline further.
Also, in Hyrule Historia, the downfall timeline has a sub heading titled, "The Last Hero." This could refer to the last hero of the bloodline, or something else. And it would be theoretical impossible for three different timelines to have a different series of events, but ultimately lead up to the exact same event, in the same universe.
During the Imprisoning War Ganon was still sealed in the Dark World.
And you should read my original post about the timeline merge. Of course the timelines don't just converge on their own, but some divine being like Hylia would unify the universes. It might seem implausible, but so are travels back in time...
I understand, and I have read the post, I just want to voice my opinions, and let people decide for themselves. The Zelda universe is full of crazy things, literally anything could happen. It could take place in the child timeline for all I know. I am just more familiar with OoT, aLttP, LoZ, TP, and WW than the three last games in the timelines. So, I naturally see more things that relate to the titles most familiar to me. I'm not saying you're wrong, and I'm right, I'm just saying the downfall timeline before aLttP is reasonable.
I took time developing my theory, and I chose where I did for a reason. Sheikah technology, as well as the sheikah themselves are present in BotW, but not in any of the last games. Your theory may still be possible however, because the Sheikah seen are nearly mummified, and it is known that they live much longer than Hylians
Sheikah technology isn't present in any of the games, except for potentially Skyward Sword. Which is why I think this has to take place after the timelines as we know them, unless the Sheikah technology stuff will really be a one time thing, which I hope not.
I'm also thinking in a much broader spectrum. I'm very familiar with every Zelda title and the way I view Breath of the Wild is that they wanted implement the best ideas of many different Zelda games. And storywise the best way to get there would unifying the universes.
The story usually supports the gameplay ideas, but we're dealing here with something much, much bigger here than usual.
Funnily enough, I used to believe the timelines would merge when only two of them were confirmed after Hyrule Historia only split the chronology further, I abandoned the idea quietly. XD
also ganon is like a melted version of his end of oot form i think that he split his conseshnus into three forms with the tri force of power this allowed all but his body out and each of these entered a different timeline if his body got out by the Sheikah digging to deep within hyrule castle finding the sealing spike (i am assuming that the sealing spike has grown and now is the shape of the gateway of the sacred realm)the sheikah use their magic/technology to open it when they open it the three timelines are united with the triforce of power(remember in skyward sword Hylia says that the Triforce is hundreds of times her power it is all of the old gods power multiplied by three so three gods power in the triforce of power each god was way more powerful than hylia who could barely throw skyloft into the sky)causing all of ganons power into one form ganons body having decayed so much that he could not exist in his pure form unless it was his last chance so he possessed sheika technology he having been able to unleash some of his power every now and then the sheika made a seal useing technology instead of sacred power accounting for how he sometimes unleashed his primal form he had saved his power to unleash it to strike down the divine beasts anchoring him in this world i am of the opinion that he possessed a mirror that showed him each of the champions and out of spite he made a form that beat each of them at their one method of combat with their one weapons and because he thought of link as a combination of all weapons he made a form that had all types of weapons in case link somehow came again or survived from the guardians and attacked him with the weapons of the champions of each divine beast he also prepared a second surprise for link in case he defeated him somehow and just in case
PLEASE SEND THE PART OF THIS AFTER THIS MESSAGE TO NINTENDO he prepared another way to kill link if all else failed (the third time was his seqal incarnation of his actual body as in ganondorf i believe that somehow the tribe that made the barbarian armor and the faron ruins are a ganon worshiping cult that used luminous stones to reincarnate ganon and/or to put his consciousness into one of their bodys (i am assuming that they are like a all-male gurodo that reproduce via luminous stones as in when they eat a luminous stone they would create a baby clone of themselves i am also assuming that they live as long as the zora and are mighty warriors that view lynels* the way we view dogs and cats that are misbehaving)like a giant spiritual beacon when an extremely mighty one of them emerged they put him in line to be the next ganon/ganondorf and once they started dying out they put the best possible ganon in a suspended animation to make a body for ganon once he returned he was somehow blocked from the body and once the orange stone was touched he was able to use it/able to possess who ever touched it IE Zelda (now that i think about it it would be really cool to have a game where Zelda was the villain especially if ganon was then possessed by zelda leading to a whole lot of weird stuff including link killing zelda it would be interesting to see a LEGEND OF GANONDORF BREATH OF THE WILD probably would really anger a couple of people until they played it because it would sound like a ripoff of their favorite series if nintendo did it as well as they did breath of the wild it would be amazing END PLEASE SEND THE STUFF IN-BETWEEN THESE MESSAGES TO NINTENDO I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE THIS ALSO COULD IT BE A PART CO-OP GAME THAT YOU COULD COMPLETE AS LINK ZELDA OR GANON AS IN A THREE MODE GAME FOR THE ZELDA POSSESSED GANON YOU COULD MAKE HER RIDE A LYNEL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND FOR THE GANON POSSESSED ZELDA YOU COULD MAKE HER FOOL THE RESIDENTS OF HYRULE INTO THINKING THAT SHE WAS ZELDA AND BECOMING A TYRANNICAL RULER THAT WAS WORSHIPED AND LINK WOULD JUST HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHO WAS WHO AND FIND A WAY TO PUT THEM BACK IN THEIR PROPER BODIES OR YOU COULD DO LINK POSSESSED BY GANON AND HAVE HIM TAKE OVER HYRULE AND RULE HORRIBLY WHILE PREVENTING ANYONE FROM GETTING THE MASTER SWORD TO PROVE THAT LINK WAS POSSESSED BY GANON AND HAVE THE DUNGEONS BE SAVING TOWNS TO PROVE THAT GANON WAS GOOD AND TO RALLY THEIR SUPPORT LEADING TO A FINAL BATTLE THAT WOULD BE A PITCHED BATTLE BETWEEN ARMIES WITH GANONS BODY LEADING THE PEOPLE AGAINST AN ARMY OF MONSTERS LED BY LINKS BODY OR HAVING GANONS BODY STORM THE CASTLE ON HIS OWN YOU COULD HAVE THREE ENDINGS ONE IF LINK CONVINCED ALL FOUR TOWNS TWO IF LINK RAISED THE ARMY OF BARBARIANS FROM FARON AND THREE FOR GETTING THE MASTER SWORD IN ANY COMBINATION ALSO IF EPONA WAS INCLUDED YOU COULD MAKE LINK BEAT GANON ON EPONA WITH A INTERESTING VERSION OF THE MASTER SWORD^ AND EPONA COULD DELIVER THE FINAL BLOW KNOCKING LINK OUT UNTIL THEY LEARN THAT THE ORANGE STONE CONVERTS PEOPLE FROM BODY TO BODY SO THEY RETURN TO THE CAVE WHERE THEY FOUND GANON AND HAVE LINK AND GANON TOUCH IT HOW EVER THIS ENGAGES THE FINAL BOSS BY RETURNING GANON TO HIS BODY LEADING TO A BATTLE WHERE YOU WORK WITH THE CPU TO COMPLETE THE BATTLE OF COURSE THERE WOULD BE SIDE QUESTS BUT OF A DARKER SORT SUCH AS KILTON FROM FANG AND BONE ASKING FOR A LIVE LYNEL TO STUDY OR WORKING WITH THE YIGA TO ASSASSINATE RIJU IT WOULD BE A MINI BOSS STYLE FIGHT WITH THE 2 TO 3 STAGES AND A ELEMENT THIS ONE BEING LIGHTNING SUMMONED FROM VA NABORIS ALSO ANOTHER YIGA SIDE QUEST COULD BE COLLECTING 99 MIGHTY BANANAS FOR A PRICE OF 9801 RUPEES AND SO ON
* lynels are the most powerful enemies in the game they can one-shot you until you get really good armor
^ WHEN YOU PICK UP THE MASTER SWORD YOU COULD MAKE IT TRANSFORM INTO A DIFFERENT BLADE THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE LINKS AND GANONS BODY'S ARE DIFFERENT SO THE SWORD WOULD BE DIFFERENT BUT FI WOULD EMERGE FROM the blade and tell the people what happened
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