After Nintendo's glorious reveal of the new 2017 Legend of Zelda title - Breath of the Wild - we were given lots of trailer and gameplay footage to marvel at. Naturally, these kinds of revelations spark much debate and theorising amongst series enthusiasts, including where it could belong on the almighty Zelda timeline. Now before you "anti-timeliners" bash away at your keyboard in the comments section, these are just a couple of ideas for those who give a Goron about the timeline, and are not to be taken too seriously.
Theory 1 - The Wind Waker Sequel - The Adult Timeline
There's a lot of evidence to suggest Breath of the Wild takes place after the events of The Wind Waker, making this theory one of the most popular. Firstly, Koroks make their return in the game, a race evolved from Ocarina of Time's Kokiris that were present during the events of The Wind Waker. There's been some speculation that after the land of Hyrule was submerged in water, the Koroks helped resurrect the land by planting mass amounts of trees and plantations with seeds collected from The Great Deku Tree (Link learns this annual practice of the Korok during the game), hence why this Hyrule is vast with plains of green, worn-down structures, and hardly any new-looking buildings in sight.
In addition, we met an old man during Bill Trinen's gameplay demonstration of Breath of the Wild, who looked very reminiscent of King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule. He's also not too keen to tell the player who he is and wears concealing clothing - perhaps to mask away his identity. The rusty and wearied looking Master Sword could also be a clue that Breath of the Wild's Hyrule was once submerged in depths of water. Finally, Breath of the Wild's Shrine designs seem quite familiar to that of the The Wind Waker's Tower of the Gods dungeon, so perhaps there's a connection there.
Theory 2 - Ocarina of Time Sequel - The Downfall Timeline
This theory could be plausible (and is one this writer thought of and wants to believe!) as one of the first things we witnessed in yesterday's trailer was a voice telling Link to "wake up". Of course, this is a recurring theme in most Zelda games, however this awakening is a little different. In the opening portion of gameplay, Link awakens from a 100-year-long slumber in the Shrine of Resurrection. Perhaps this mysterious area is the Chamber of Sages where Link once slept before for seven years in his transition from child to adulthood in Ocarina of Time. Furthermore, it could be suggested that the result of Link being defeated by Ganon in the final events of Ocarina of Time is what caused this mega power nap.
Additionally, the voice tells Link "You are the light - our light - that must shine upon Hyrule once again." Is this all evidence to suggest that the Link in Breath of the Wild is the almighty "Hero of Time"? Finally, the overall layout of the areas and landmarks of this Hyrule are quite reminiscent of that of Ocarina of Time, but that's a pretty loose connection in all honesty.
An older theory is that Breath of the Wild is a direct sequel to Skyward Sword (and some still do believe this), however there's much evidence in the new footage and information we've gathered to suggest this as false, such as the inclusion of the Korok race.
Of course, there are loopholes in both of these theories and so should only be taken lightly, but it can be fun (for those who are interested) to use the new footage and information we have to start concocting all sorts of thought-provoking ideas. What are your thoughts? Do you have a theory of your own not mentioned here?
Comments (174)
Not to mention Links costume looks similar to the wind waker one! I'm sold on theory 1 although theory 2 is also really good!
Twilight Princess sequel, set far in the future after Hyrule falls apart inevitably.
I would like to think it's somewhere around the Original Zelda and II. Though after WW is more plausible.
I like the Wind Waker theory the best (and it what I thought of after watching the trailer and demo's) but the one problem is how did the Master Sword get to where it currently is because at the end of Wind Waker it is left somewhere completely different. The only real flaw I can think of for the second theory is the existence of the Korok but that could be fixed by saying the Kokiri evolved into them anyways and it wasn't because of the great flood
Breath of the Wild takes place in a timeline where neither Ganon nor the Hero of Time win. They are at a standstill, so Ganon, using his triforce of power, convinces some higher power to lock Link away in the Shrine of Resurrection, allowing him to take reign. However, in this timeline, technology has become a form of weaponry, something Ganon did not take into account. The Guardians fought with him for several years. They were unable to vanquish him, as it is the hero's job, so he has vanished into a small corner on the huge map outside of Hyrule seen in the E3 demo for Breath of the Wind. Link wakes up the moment Ganon steps foot back into Hyrule. * true story *
Is the theory 1 arrow supposed to point at where you believe Breath of the Wild takes place, or just at that timeline in general? Because Phantom Hourglass takes place not too long after Wind Waker. I doubt the land restoration would be finished and undone in such a short period of time.
I could definitely see it taking place somewhere in that timeline though. But at this point, any is fair game.
I came up with pretty much the same theories for nearly the same reasons, though I would argue that it would probably be after Phantom Hourglass and before Spirit Tracks. I imagine that this is the game where land of Hyrule has returned, but it is still in the process of being habitable. It's a "wildland." It would then be Link's job to scout the area, similarly to the heroes in Xenoblade Chronicles X. Perhaps the reason why Aonuma was adamant against showing towns and people were because it would reveal that these are newly formed villages by people who are just looking for a place to call home.
I look forward to the ending of the game, when they invent the railroad system!
Actually, put it after Zelda II. Maybe this is why the decline timeline came to be. The true hero's been in stasis after being defeated/knocked out and Hyrule fell apart. Perhaps he was hidden and put into stasis so that one day he'd awake again to save Hyrule. Other heroes come and defeat Ganon in several times, but he always comes back because they're not the true Link. Perhaps this is why the name is locked this time. Why it's all character specific. This is THE legendary Hero.
@Darkwario1 Wild.
http://i.imgur.com/qxEqTpD.png
The description of the Rock Salt makes it seem like it's from the Wind Waker timeline, since it it's salt from what I assume would be the dried up Great Sea.
(my guess is that this is at the start of "The Era of Hyrule's Rebirth")
I would personally like BotW to take place at the very end of the timeline, as a way to "start over" without worrying too much about how stuff connects to games that come before and after it chronologically. Also, this Link can't be the Hero of Time because he's right-handed (something that really bothers me)
I have a couple of theories of my own. My first thought was that it may actually be in that period before Wind Waker, as the Hyrule we are seeing isn't flooded in anyway, and could still explain the appearance of the Koroks. The between point where time line mentions Ganon being sealed away and then Hyrule flooding would be an interesting place to have the game. This holds up until the point where the Master Sword is located in the Sacred Grove in this game, as opposed to the Temple of Time/Hyrule Castle.
My second thought is that, it may be in the area around Zelda 1/2 as the map and inspiration are said to come from Zelda 1. This could explain Ganon's presence and the vast open world that is somewhat in disarray.
All these events and timelines just reminds me that all this is just a big ball of Wibbly wobbly Timey Wimey stuff.
The Wind Waker theory would be my guess.
Zelda having a timeline is something I'll never understand. It's like saying Super Mario Bros 3 is placed after Super Mario Sunshine and before Galaxy because some story details and characters. It makes absolutely no sense, they're all separate games happening in the same universe without any relevant connection (with the exception of OoT and MM and Skyward Sword being the episode "zero").
@TheRegginator I'm not sure that's entirely true. All of the blue crystal technology was pretty important in the Lanayru Desert in Skyward Sword. The glow and patterns seems to match pretty well, that and the Sheikah stuff was pretty prevalent there as well.
@DiscoGentleman Some really weird Nintendo gamers don't like lore or proper world building. They still have that 80's-90's mindset that games are all gameplay and no story. We like to ignore undesirables like that.
Theory 2 seems more plausible to me. Both Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass took place on islands amidst a huge sea, right? So, in theory, there couldn't have been TWO great floods. One of the first things that I spotted with this new Zelda, is the decrepit-looking Master Sword, which is supposed to be the ultimate weapon to banish evil. What I REALLY would like to know, is how did Link lose to Ganondorf in that part of the timeline? Too many "X" factors...
I am thinking it takes place before Zelda 1 or after Zelda 2. The more vast and destroyed Hyrule is more in line with that timeline. This taking place after Wind Waker doesn't make too much sense after the events of Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. Also, Hyrule was pretty stable after Twilight Princess, so this would have to be extremely far ahead in that time-line.
Just the look of Hyrule and everything screams Zelda 1 timeline to me.
@Darkwario1 That REALLY answers my previous comment! Thank you! I know it's not official or anything, but it seems like the most probable...
Theory 1 makes most sense, the references to WW in just the little bit of gameplay I saw convinced me.
Even if Koroks show up in the Wind Waker timeline maybe the Kokiri did the same evolution in the other 2 timelines. I think we need to see more before knowing where it would end up.
Another theory is maybe a 4th timeline.
I have a new game theory that I listed on a previous article, so let me know what you think
Breath of the wind will start a fourth path of the storyline after Oot.
Now there will be where Link
Succeeds in beating Ganon as a child
Succeeds in beating Ganon as an adult
Does not succeed in beating Ganon
Runs and does not face Ganon (BotW)
This would explain some of the ancient Sheikah artifacts and the broken Temple of Time. Perhaps Link cremated himself until he thought he was ready to beat Ganon (100 years) This would put a unique spin on the whole series. Link giving up and running would also explain the corroded master sword, perhaps the guardians were once good and saved the Royal Family when Link did not, or maybe that's why they are against him.
Please comment and let me know what you think.
I bet it takes place before wind waker, before the world was flooded
I don't know what's the obsession with the WW theory, it does not make sense people!!!! Remember at the beginning of WW "Hyrule was saved by a hero called the Hero of Time" then Ganandorf was able to break free from the seal and the hero did not reappear making the great flood , it did not happened after WW saga either, why? simple, after the events of WW the master sword ended underwater, stuck on Ganadorf head, meaning that the Master Sword it's lost forever and Ganon seal for life. Think about that!
@MrPuzzlez Thanks! Though I was being a little silly with my theory
@Shiro28 I think it could 'plausibly' happen before Wind Waker's flood. We know the Hero of Time didn't return to save Hyrule and Ganon was able to rise and take over, but there is time between Ganon taking over Hyrule and it being sealed by the flood. What if BotW takes place during this time, which would mean Link is ultimately set up to fail, or possibly be the one who triggers the flood in the first place. The presence of the Koroks can only really be explained by it occurring on the Wind Waker timeline as they haven't appeared anywhere else.
@Ashthearcher You mean when no Hero showed up to save Hyrule once Ganondorf escaped from the sacred realm because that Link was in a different timeline, so the world was flooded immediately after...? Because that makes a lot of sense... /s
I haven't actually played other games in the post wind waker timeline but my understanding of it is that they're going to establish a new hyrule. Hence I don't think it makes sense for this to be in the post wind waker part of the timeline. Why go back to what's clearly the old hyrule?
Then there's the pre-wind waker part. I take issue with this becaue we know that before hyrule is flooded, hyrule castle is sealed away in time and the master sword keeps it so. There's no opportunity for any future hero to pick up the master sword and Ganon is not defeated until the events of wind waker.
So I think this isn't the wind waker timeline, but a timeline late enough for the technology to make sense and where the Kokiri have evolved as a result of events separate from the flood.
@Danpal65 That'd be incredibly disappointing and unsatisfying.
Every Zelda game is a skyward sword
Sequel I meant sequel!
@AlternateButtons Problem: Hyrule is already an established name for the landmass in BotW, and the Temple of Time has already been constructed AND worn down, putting it indefinitely after OoT no matter what.
And if Link is set up to fail in this game, that'd be the first Zelda game to do this. Which I guess isn't impossible but to be honest I doubt it. Going through all that work, hundreds of hours, only for it all to be eliminated by the flood, seems kinda counter to the experience.
I know they removed NPCs and towns (or this is an area with no towns, but they exist), but the demonstration reminded me so much of the original Legend of Zelda. Most of the land is berift of recent human contact, and the only people you see are in caves.
I've been thinking a lot about this and I'm pretty sure it'll be in the wind waker timeline, but at about the same point as the original legend of zelda in terms of time passed, a lot of the enemies and the koroks have the same designs as their wind waker counterparts but everything looks a lot more aged, and they are going for the classic points linking it to the original game.
I think I'm gonna stay on the timeline where the Hero failed camp. The reason for Link being right handed in this game is pretty arbitrary too so whether or not this Link is the same one who failed originally, I think this theory still holds. They're not paying attention to the detail so I'm not.
@Danpal65 your theory makes sense but remember one thing, the Kokiri became Koros "AFTER" the Great Flood, if what you say it's the correct timely then the Koros wouldn't exist at all, the same thing happened with the Zora also, they evolved into bird people, now if you check hyrule castle in twilight princess there is a drawing on the wall with child link, a goro and one of the bird people (I forgot the name), meaning that either the bird people were created at some point in the timeline instead of evolving from Zora's or Zora's regained their Zora form from the Bird people, the same thing could have happened with the Koros, also remember what Eije Aonuma said, "When we play the new Zelda after playing Twilight princess, we will have those Ah I see moments"
@Shiro28 Whoops.
The Ruto, I think.
I wanna put this around zelda 1 or 2 as well. Also, did anyone notice the minish are either dead or not in that area? Since y'know, they put rupees and hearts in the grass?
I think it may be a transition from OOT to Windwaker. The piano cords in the begining are very similar to OOT's intro and The temple of time looks very similar to OOT's temple. Also, the Kokiris could have evolved into Koroks because of an event later explained in this game. Im not sure how a transition from one timeline to another would work, but I suppose It could.
The old man is actually the OTHER king of Hyrule and it takes place in the cd-i timeline. This explains why Link has to collect his own [deep voice] dinner. Link awoke because said king hadn't contacted the kingdom in over a month.
@Danpal65 That was the one! thank you buddy
Both are pretty good theories, and I'd be happy if either were true! But still I favor theory 1 more, mainly due to the Koroks.
It would be pretty far in the future after WW/PH, in a world were the islands of the Great Sea have finally become a continent
@Shiro28 Not a problem. It's nice actually being able to use Zelda lore 😅
There is no time line...
@rushiosan There are way more connections than that. TP and WW are definitely sequels to OoT and PH is a direct sequel to WW. LoZII is also right after LoZ. LA is after ALttP. It never ends.
@Danpal65 I know right, who would have thought that playing all Zelda games would be helpful in the future
@Joenen Maybe he's the original Hero of Hylia from Skyward Sword. That's why he's right handed. Honestly who knows but, Hero of Time seems just as feasible if they ignore handedness.
Ok, without checking out the other comments yet, here are my thoughts:
The game plays definitely after Ocarina of Time. Yes, Skyward Sword was a early guess of mine as well, the Art Style is only one reason though - the technology the other. Technology wasn't a big issue in any Zelda right now, despite it was an early idea for Zelda I, but the only other Zelda game that had advanced Technology so far, was Skyward Sword and it's Robots.
However, the landmarks speak against it. The Temple of Time, in that form as we saw it, wasn't created before Ocarina of Time. And it only fell into ruins afterwards (as seen as in OoT's Future and Twilight Princess), meaning that no matter what timeline the game takes place in, the Temple of Time's ruins clearly put it after OoT.
Does this exclude Skyward Sword though? Actually, no. Not really. You mentioned a 100year long sleep, now, I haven't checked out that much of Nintendo's e3 coverage - mostly because I don't want to see that much of the game yet (I want to explore it myself). If they said 100years, then my theory here makes no sense - but what if Link's cryo-sleep was another fail-safe plan of the goddess Hylia? The Sheikah already existed in Skyward Sword since ancient times. The technology looks extremely familiar with Skyward Swords technology - which then was actually kind of in the ruins already. Also, there's been a hero before Link who flew with a red Loftwing, what if this is said hero? Hylia put him in cryosleep to awake somewhere in the future, when he was needed to safe the world or bring the humans back to the surface? Now it's a far fetch, but it would explain the technology.
As to when the game takes part... well, Wolf Link would be a hint for after Twilight Princess, but I think that we might see the beginning of another Time Split.
Before WindWaker, the King of Hyrule used the Triforce to save Hyrule from Ganon's grasps when Link didn't showed up. What if in a different version, Hyrule wasn't put underwater, but was wiped clean and slowly recovered after Ganon was sealed or defeated in any other way? (Maybe through the Triforce?)
That would explain the ruins of the Temple of Time but, especially, Death Mountain in the distance. Because We only see Death Mountain like this in the Majoras Mask and WindWaker Timelines, while in the latter, the mountain already looks different again.
@doctorzzim Yeah it doesn't feel like a typical 3D Zelda and they did say they went back to the original for inspiration.
@Rutana Link from SS is the original hero. He went back to the past to become the hero who stops Demise.
The dumbest thing Nintendo ever did with Zelda was publish a timeline. There's nothing wrong with a little mystery.
Or Theory 3: Hero's Shade from Twilight Princess is actually the Link from this game (maybe he never gets his tunic)
I've always believed in Theory 1 for those very reasons, especially because of the state of the Master Sword.
Theory 1 makes very little sense to me (or at least the placement in the timeline according to the image). Phantom Hourglass comes immediately after WW. In that game the same Link is still a kid, and the water is still very much everywhere. It also says at the beginning of spirit tracks that they set sail to find a new land. If it's gonna be in that timeline, it would most likely be after ST....unless there would just be two Hyrules and possibly two Links at one time. Also Link would have to go find Nintendo's largest landmass ever for a Zelda game, leave the master sword there, sail back to the ocean, live the events of PH, and then embark on a journey in hopes of finding a new continent.
That seems very silly to me. The only way for it to make any sense at all is to completely ignore Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.
Theory 2 is totally possible. Good news Joshi! It is far more likely to be theory 2!
@NIN10DOXD He's not the Hero who rode on a Red Loftwing as told in Skyloft.
One, Demise is absolutely defeated in the Past - He didn't "sealed" him away, but defeated him. Huge difference, as it kinda changes what happened throughout the rest of the game (as he wouldn't be able to rise again in the future anymore). Also, he never flew the red Loftwing in the Past.
Second, this comes directly from the Hyrule Historia, or better, the extra Skyward Sword Manga at the end of the Book, which explores the story of said Hero. Yes, the Manga aren't canon, they're another way to tell the game's story. But they never changed the story completely.
In fact, the only person who knows of Links travel to the past and his battle with Demise and would be able to create the legend is Impa. But Impa never left the Shrine, she never visited Skyloft. She couldn't have told anyone about it
@LordMolecule It dried up.
@Detective_TeeJay It's still there in Phantom Hourglass. That's single biggest issue with the theory.
@LordMolecule The Master Sword never left the "old" Hyrule.
Link and Tetra discovered "new" Hyrule, Spirit Track's Hyrule, but Spirit Tracks and Phantom Hourglass never had the Master Sword Phantom Hourglass had the Phantom Sword and Spirit Tracks had the Lokomo Sword. Similar look, but definitely not the same sword
In other words, theory 1 places the game at "old" Hyrule after the sea dried up.
@Detective_TeeJay Unless it dried up after WW, Breath of the Wild happens, and the fills back up in time for PH to happen, but I find that to be highly unlikely.
@Rutana Well that's possible, but it is placed in between WW and PH. The ocean is still totally there.
@LordMolecule It was after Phantom Hourglass.
I believe this Zelda game takes place later in the timeline than any Zela to date. Windwaker already happened (and we've seen that Old Hyrule is underneath the ocean Windwaker takes place in) and all this time later, it all dried up. And that's how we're able to see old landmarks in ruin and decay. Also the Master Sword looks VERY old and forgotten.
@Rutana He'd also have to place the sword back at the bottom of the ocean, and since the voice calls the land "Hyrule" then there would be 2 hyrules, the dried up one, and the new one in Spirit Tracks.
@Detective_TeeJay The article doesn't place it after PH, it places it before it, and even then you'd have the problem with two hyrules.
@LordMolecule Well then I guess my theory is different from the article's.
The game doesn't HAVE to include New Hyrule. That could be another place entirely not seen in the game.
@Detective_TeeJay I guess but they'd have to explain why a Link had been sleeping in a previously flooded area, have to Hyrules exist at the same time, if a Zelda is in this game (which I assume there would be) then a family member (at the least) from the New Hyrule would have to come back to the old one and have another Zelda (if she is to be of the same bloodline of every other Zelda in the series).
I think it's far more likely to be theory 2, but nothing is impossible. Since the timeline started when Link pulled the sword in OoT there would be no Link to put to sleep so it makes no since for there to be a Link sleeping as there wasn't one to save the world from Ganon before the Gods had to flood Hyrule as evidenced by the beginning of WW so that removes the possibility of one existing to put to sleep...at least from the end of OoT. It's possible that a Link was put to sleep before OoT? But then there would be sleeping Links in all three time-lines.
I think if there would be a Link on that timeline, it would have to be far after the events of WW,PH, and ST...lol sorry, I might be thinking too much. I love Zelda probably too much. I had too much fun trying to make sense of it all!
I don't suppose anyone knows where these theories came from? I'd love to go pick their brains.
Since we´ve seen that one Korok maybe it's Wind Wakers timeline, maybe after Spirit Tracks.
@LordMolecule But that's what I've been saying! My theory IS that this takes place far after the events of WW, PH, and ST. I guess Link being in cryosleep would be explained within this game, and I have no explanation as to why the Master Sword left Ganondorf's head (last we saw of it in this timeline Ganon was stabbed in the head with it but now it's on a pedestal.
I dunno...maybe Ganon freed himself from the Master Sword, and then King Daphnes Hyrule placed the sword in a pedestal to await the next hero?
Less than 100 years passes between Wind Waker and Spirit Tracks, so it would have to be after the latter. It could be then, but only if the Koroks actually lowered the sea level rather than just planting new ground. Otherwise the castle and temple would just end up further underwater. And the location of the Master Sword is definitely a problem.
The Decline timeline makes the most sense to me. It's the only one in which Ganondorf becomes Ganon, and the Koroks could have evolved anyway. It could be after Zelda II, or it could even be a retelling of the original Zelda. It should be far in the future, because they had time to both invent all this technology and then to have it all get trashed.
@Detective_TeeJay Your theory is possible, I was only having issues with Theory #1 in the article which places it while there is still ocean everywhere. It would have to far enough after ST that they all went back to the drained Hyrule and then place a Link to sleep for whatever reason.
Doesn't Ganon no longer exist in the Post WW timeline in the first place? He was defeated and the cycle was ended in that timeline.
There are so many inconsistencies with it being in the WW timeline that it's way too far fetched for me to accept personally. You can put Koroks in any timeline cause the theory only needs to evolve them from kokiri.
@Joenen @Joenen @LordMolecule They'd have to explain why it was pulled out of Ganon's head and placed into another pedestal (going off of the trailer logo, it's in a diamond looking pedestal).
@LordMolecule I suppose that's my mistake for only skimming theory 1 then. That probably caused confusion, sorry about that.
So then we agree that my theory is pretty solid then? That it takes place long after the events of WW, PH, and ST, and that the ocean has drained since then and that's why everything is in ruins?
I hope it's after Wind Waker, but to me, I think that the Old Man being King Hyrule isn't a bad prediction. How else could the Master Sword get back to Hyrule. And when King Hyrule says they must go and make a new Hyrule, in BotW the Old Man tells them this is the birthplace of Hyrule.
Link must have needed a rest, so he called in Toon Link to do his job for a while. He did a pretty good job. But Link can't worry about him. He's got a lot of other crap going on right now, such as not being able to cut the grass for hearts.
@Detective_TeeJay It could be solid, but tbh they'd have some explaining to do.
Why new Hyrule failed, why the Master Sword isn't in Ganon's brain and in some stone, why Link is sleeping (which is confirmed to be explained in the interview where the dude is like "you could totally finish the game immediately after waking up, but then you won't discover things like why you were sleeping" (that was paraphrased, I don't recall exact words))
There are a few things that to help it, like how the sword looked chipped and especially the rust spots (lol you'd think they would use some higher quality metal for the MS). It might not be rust though, it could just be old grime or somethin'. We really don't know enough.
All I can really confirm is that it taking place right after WW is silly. Haha there is too much ocean for the ocean to be dried up.
@PK_Boss11 Haha Toon Link did a pretty good job. He even put down Ganon for good (so far). Even the Hero of Time couldn't do that.
I was wondering if it is a prequel to Wind Waker. The beginning of WW talks waiting for a hero that never comes. Maybe the adult Link from Ocarina of Time (what happened to him after OoT?) did appear but worked behind the scenes which led to Hyrule being flooded.
BUT....
The one thing that makes me question my theory and the other ones posted in this article is the inclusion of Wolf Link. That makes me think this game has to take place in the same timeline as MM and TP. But where exactly? I know people say the WW timeline because of the Koroks. But I think they could appear that way in the TP timeline too. BotW couldn't be before TP, because Wolf Link didn't exist yet. But after TP Ganon was destroyed already. Did he come back? Also just because the game says for Link to wake up does that mean he is a Link people have played before or a new Link that is being awoke? The downfall timeline seems interesting, but it's already so crowded with stories. Also the Link of BotW to me kinda reminds me of the SS Link. Maybe BotW jumps around timelines?
I guess a sequel to TP. I think. Unless I'm taking the inclusion of Wolf Link too seriously.
Actually wait.... I have one more idea. What if BotW takes place at the end of the WW timeline, after TP, and at the end of the downfall timeline simultaneously? BotW has elements from all three timelines. Maybe they all intersect at the bottom of the page to start a new branch of the timeline?
@HyruleHero Perhaps Link's quest is to repair the split in timelines that happened in Ocarina of Time in order to find the one true timeline.
@LordMolecule Yeah it definitely couldn't have taken place right after WW.
About the Master Sword, like I mentioned before (and this is just a guess I thought of to support my theory) but Ganondorf could have freed himself somehow and left, and then the Master Sword could have been placed in a pedestal by Daphnes Hyrule to await the next chosen hero.
As for New Hyrule, it needn't have failed. The Zelda and Link of that timeline probably lived full lives there, and that would be it, with the next story taking place many many years later back in the now dried up, original Hyrule.
My initial theory was that BOTW might be set around/after the original two NES games. Old Hyrule is in an age of decay and ruin (like in Zelda 1) and the kingdom has been vastly expanded beyond the old borders (like in Zelda II).
On top of that, we have the intentional open world design from LOZ that BOTW is taking inspiration of, as well as more direct throwbacks with the old man and LOZ manual art mountains. And we have the introduction of technology to suggest a further progression in time (not to mention the Master Sword in a state of decay as well).
If so, it'd be the first game to advance the Zelda timeline since Zelda II. An appropriate milestone for the anniversary.
Someone at Nintendo on Miiverse suggested the Mask Seller was appearing in the game, plus we have the Temple of Time, Bridge of Eldin, and Wolf Link. Betting it's after TP at the end of the Timeline where 4 out of 5 of the 3D Console Zeldas' exist.
The post Spirit Tracks theory doesn't sit well with me because typically post WW games use the toon link character, never a Teenage / adult link. Furthermore it runs counter to the entirety of the progression of the WW timeline. None of what we saw is truly Wind Waker exclusive when all those elements can easily exist in other timelines just fine. Nothing really justifies the "they must have gone back, unplugged the stone from Ganon's head and stuffed it into a new pedestal" angle. Like, if Nintendo comes out and says "its WW timeline" then that's the logic we have to jump to and wait for the game to explain, however at this stage the WW theory just seems ludicrous to me. Going to a new Hyrule only to return to the old one just doesn't fit in that story's progression from a logical standpoint, at least, in my opinion. You can contrive it into /any/ timeline by using logic derived from "so much time passed".
I go on GameXplain's side and say that the timeline placement doesn't make any sense. Aonuma's team have previously never used a species or place in more than one timeline if they haven't been introduced in the unified timeline.
The Old Man is most likely the old man from the Downfall timeline, as is the Koroks in the Adult timeline whom is the Kokiri in the others aswell as Zoras whom evolved into Rito's in the Adult timeline.
As for locations, the Master Sword seems to be from the Adult timeline due to it's rustiness but isn't where it was in TWW but during ALTTP, and given that Aonuma appears to be going in a more realistic approach this time the Koroks can't have "unflooded" Hyrule. It is scientifically illiterate to believe trees can change water levels on a so large scale, and religiously illiterate to claim mortals can undo what has been caused by the gods.
It should also be noted that, if it was a sequel of TWW the political landscape would likely be very different since the royalty of Europe had left the land and founded "New Hyrule". Also, the Old Man specifically called it abandoned and "in a state of decline" - as in an "Era of Decline".
Theory 1, but you've placed it in the wrong place on the timeline. It would go after Phantom Hourglass and would be in Hyrule which is no longer flooded. It took a long time for this to happen, and all the while we had the events of Phantom Hourglass and the inbetween leading to Spirit Tracks taking place in the new land that isn't Hyrule.
@Joenen - They didn't go to a new Hyrule, they found a new land because Hyrule was completely flooded. Nothing that happened in that line would conflict with this being in that same line, including the art style. It's not a child Link but the style is closer to the WW style, just a little more "grown up" looking. Whether the technology in this game is more advanced than trains remains to be seen.
They've had "advanced tech" since Skyward Sword which also resembles thsi game's artstyle so I don't think we can use just artstyle as a defining factor. Remember, this is more or less an anniversary-type project with a lot of callbacks to the original games and its not weird if they celebrate other games too, like WW with Koroks and Twilight Princess with Wolf Link.
Hence none of the evidence conclusively points to any of the timelines so far. I just find the WW line the least logical argument to make at this point. If this game is really that far into the future then you can place it in any timeline you want to.
Umm if it's gonna be placed after WW then it's at least a sequel to Phantom Hour Glass, as the Link from that game is the same Link from WW.
If one subscribes to an actual Zelda timeline, I'm convinced one could make it fit absolutely anywhere with a bit of mental gymnastics.
I just go the crazy route: This whole Hyrule is just a computer-programm, and this Link comes from a faaaaaar future. Hence the strange cryo-chamber, futuristic looking shrines and the tablet-device. At some point he may even go back, and everything will look highly futuristic!
Oh yes. That ridiculous timeline.
I think it's an offshoot after Skyward Sword when the baddies won and Zelda and the Imprisoned had an illegitimate child (she was married to Ghirahim but never conceived). That child is the third duck from the left in the trailer for Breath of the Wild. It would be more obvious if you could see the duck's toes under the water.
@senshu No, but it just wouldn't add up.
Barely any knowledge of the artifacts and mythology of pre-flood Hyrule had survived to the time of TWW and had been completly forgotten by the time of ST as of what I've heard, yet atleast some like the Master Sword and the Sheikah Symbol plays a very large role in BOTW. And then we have the political mumbo-jumbo too, since each island had became separate legal entites and unifying with the lands of new Hyrule would make little sense, even less for the monarchy to move back if it did. Don't forget the geography, either - Aonuma's team have previously avoided incorporating any place in multiple timelines if they haven't appeared in a game set in the unified timeline, yet BOTW's map is a combo of LOZ/AOL's, OOT's, and TP's.
Where does Super Mario Land feature in the Mario timeline?
I still firmly believe that it is the same Link from Skyward Sword. Unless this isn't Link at all hence the lack of Hero's tunic. Either way, they wouldn't have made Link right handed, there has to be an explanation.
[WIND WAKER SPOILERS]
I don't really find the Wind Waker theory plausible as the Master Sword was left in Ganondorf's skull, wouldn't make sense to see the dirty sword in the pedestal.
[SPOILERS END]
@Rutana In order to obtain the Triforce and use that wish, though, the king would had to have defeated Ganon to obtain the ToP somehow.
I doubt he had the power to do that.
Wasn't it confirmed somewhere that Link is right handed in this game just because we're controlling him primarily with our own right hand?
Wouldn't put so much stock in his dominant hand since the team is clearly more focused on what they want to do with this specific game as opposed to the grander details and making everything match-up perfectly. SS itself still has weird details and ignores the 3 goddesses entirely beyond having dragons bear their names.
@LordMolecule The WW theory has been surfacing around the internet, and was covered well by YouTuber Zeltik (not sure who was the actual originator of the theory though). As for the second one, it's something I thought of as soon as the new footage was unveiled. I'm sure many shared the same thought, so I'm not laying claim to it or anything!
Well think of this. This Link has been asleep for over 100 years, meaning its a prexisting Link. Although when you look at the Wind Waker timeline It ends off with Spirit Tracks, where link spends the rest of his life rding the rails. And in Wind Waker Link spends his life on the sea searching for a new Hyrule. No room for a 100 year sleep. But it could fit in the defeated timeline right after Zelda 2, Cause the endings open and think of this, If Link were to ever spill his blood, then Ganon would be revived. So with Link gone to sleep it would be impossible for ganon to reawaken, or so they thought. Also what other Link knows how to jump? And has a similar old man like in Zelda 1.
@RedeadLink Ganon took two holy blades through the chest, in TP, and it only turned him to stone in WW.
Also, from what we've seen in TP, Ganon is capable of becoming a somewhat spirit-type of life-form.
It's entirely plausible that Ganon didn't die, from the Master Sword being stabbed into his skull, at least not entirely.
His soul might have vacated his body and fled, or been absorbed into the MS.
Now, hear me out on this one...
Remember that castle where that dark aura was, in the demo?
What if, and again bear with me on this one, there's a preserved Sacred Grove-like area somewhere in that castle's gardens, wherein lies the Master Sword?
Someone could have gone down to the bottom of the sea at some point, retrieved the blade from Ganon's head, and sealed it in a new castle, or retrieved it sometime after the flood waters had receded from Hyrule between, the events of Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.[or possibly even after Spirit Tracks]
After being sealed in that area, however, Ganon's evil energy weakened it over time, which is why his power has leaked out and covered the castle, and which would explain why the blade is all rusted and chipped and worn.
http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/zelda/images/d/d6/Zelda_II_The_Adventure_of_Link_for_Game_Book.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140819122517
Also look at this Japanese famicon Artwork for Zelda 2. Links holding his sword in his right hand.
@patbacknitro18 But none of that explains the existence of the Koroks, which are specific to WW.
Another theory of mine is that Link DID find that "new Hyrule", and that that's where Spirit Tracks takes place.
But at some point, the land was changed from Ganon somehow reviving [or from his minions gaining enough power to start slowly toppling Hyrule], all of the Spirit Tracks were destroyed, and the Link of that time went into the hibernation chamber to escape things until the time was ripe to oppose Ganon once again.
Ya but still, theirs no room for a Link to take a nap in the wind waker timeline. Every ending is filled with an after quest. Zelda 2 it one of the omnly ones with an open ending that makes sense for Link to go to sleep for 100 years
Also may I say that in the Minish Cap the enemys from Wind waker are present, so Wind Waker charecters aren't just exclusive to their own world
Like the mokoblins and chuchu, since one is the first boss lol. But don't forget that the enemys from Skyward sword are also present
Also 1 last thing, but take a look at the world of Zelda 2. With many towns, a vast world,and even that temple Zelda was asleep in, which could be either the place Link was asleep in, or it could be that temple next to where Link had woken up to
Sorry but I am definitly sure its after Zelda 2. 1 more piece of proof is the fact that Link is right handed, which in Zelda 2 he was
@patbacknitro18 It's true that some of the enemies from the WW timeline are in MC, but the Koroks most definitely are not.
And it's the Koroks that form the key to the placement; they're one of the main goodly races, and not one of the very-easily-multiplied, high-population monsters that seem to infest Hyrule whenever trouble is coming closer.
Without some sort of explanation for the Koroks, which are very specifically tied to the events of WW, there's no way for this to have happened after ZII. [don't get me wrong, though; if it wasn't for the Koroks, I'd probably be on your side on this one because I like that theory.]
Also, keep in mind that enemies like Moblins, Bokoblins, and Chuchus have appeared in different Zeldas under different names and forms.
They're not like the Koroks, which are a very specific species; they're just amalgamations of evil that seem to simply exist and evolve with the lands of Hyrule.
But the Koroks aren't like that; they've changed form from the Kokiri, they didn't change form from years and years of aging or anything, they changed form in order to adapt to living on the sea, as the Deku Tree himself explained.
ahttp://www.consoleclassix.com/info_img/Zelda_2_The_Adventure_of_Link_NES_ScreenShot2.jpg
And their is proof that Zelda 2 link is right handed. So it just makes sense on alot of levels. The only 2 things that resemble wind waker is The rusted sword, and the Korko. Which the Koroko could easily exist in the world of Zelda 2, after all they are said to be hidden in the world. And The rusted sword could just be Links old sword he left for when he woken up. but got rusted after 100 years of being rained on. And Zelda 2 has multiple reasons, being that the ending is very open leaving Link room for a 100 year nap, as well as Link has a reason to go to sleep, as to prevent Ganons resurrection. Also the fact that this Link can now jump, as well as he met up with an old man similar to Zelda 1. As well as the world being similar to Zelda 2, atleast the first area.
Also again i'll say that they are said to be hidden creature, which mean they don't just show themselves to everyone, they prefer to stay hidden. So whos to say they can't exist in Zelda 2, and they just stayed hidden. Also you said they show up more when hyrules in Danger, well in Zelda 2 their was no danger, Instead Link was just trying to wake up Zelda while Preventing any danger from happening. So that would explain that part
Also now that I actually look closer could that old man from Breath of the Wild be the old man from Zelda 2?
@patbacknitro18 They can't exist in Zelda II because Zelda II takes place in a very different time-line; the circumstances that are required in order for the Koroks to be born don't exist in the Zelda II timeline. They only exist in the WW timeline.
Those conditions, were that the Great Sea was formed, so the Kokiri changed their form to adapt to it, so that they could spread the seeds of the Deku Tree over the ocean, and reform the land once more.
Also, who's to say that there wasn't a reason for Link at the end of Spirit Tracks to take a power nap?
For all we know, another evil showed up that kind of forced him into that position.
The Link from Spirit Tracks was right-handed too, I think.
And if he wasn't, then it could just as easily have been a descendant of that particular Link.
This Link, after all, looks to be a young adult, and a hundred years is a long time to power nap.
There was probably ample time for the ST Link to have a kid and for that kid to grow up, before things went to pot and the kid had to be put into cryo-sleep.
http://www.hunterdavis.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/zelda2-4.gif
http://i.imgur.com/MKdgceAl.png
I mean compare the two. Links taller then both, both have long beards, both hold a cane, and in a similar fashion. They do seem like a close match
Also, the old man could just as easily be Daphne's Nohansen Hyrule.
I mean, the guy's magical; surviving an extra hundred years probably wouldn't have been impossible for him.
Plus the old man's got the beard for it.XD
Lol, all that remained of Hyrule was washed away at the end of Wind Waker. Not to mention the pedestal with the Master Sword in Breath of the Wild is just a pedestal and not a Ganondorf statue with the sword in his head. Why would they call back to old Hyrule when New Hyrule has already been discovered in Spirit Tracks?
This game takes place some time after Twilight princess, perhaps with the same Link? (he has been sleeping for 100 years in some cryo chamber, so that explains why he hasn't aged)
The Koroks inclusion is interesting though and the Kokiri where not in twilight princess at all, perhaps taking creative liberty? only time will tell.
1. that Link was left handed. And 2 the ending of Spirit tracks shows us Link living his life on the rails. and 3. may I remind you that the Koroks were once Korikis, which were in OOT, and with that they could of easily changed their form after Link was defeated, in order to hide better. After all dosent the koriki children disapear once the Darkness takes over in OOT, well if Ganon won, and that had happened, then what options would the Koriki children have left to do?
@Jesiah All that remained of Hyrule was merely buried under the waves once more; with time and magic enough, it could have been brought back.
And if not, then who's to say that someone didn't fish Ganondorf's body out of the sea, take the blade out of his statue, and enshrine it somewhere else should it ever be needed again?
Say, in case Ganondorf's spirit survived that impalement and was building power to resurrect?
The Koroks, I feel, are still the decisive evidence that proves this had to have happened after Spirit Tracks.
This Hyrule is the NEW Hyrule, some hundred years after Spirit Tracks so as to explain the huge changes in topography, someone just recovered the Master Sword from the Ganon statue, and Ganon's spirit has somehow survived and is trying to fully resurrect, if it hasn't already.
Im just saying it fits best in Zelda 2, Or Twilight Princess since that is an open ending as well, and also you have the ability to summon wolf link, so that makes sense to
@patbacknitro18 The ending of Spirit Tracks actually has three different endings depending on a dialogue choice you make a little before the end.
He can either go off living his life on the rails, become a guard for Zelda, or just mysteriously disappear in search of further adventures.
I firmly believe that this game could take place from the divergence of the Guard or Adventurer endings, rather than the Train ending.
Also, it would be more likely that Ganon would kill off the Kokiri once Link was dead, to erase any last vestiges of the Sage of the Forest bloodline once all was said and done, which leads me to believe that it can't have happened at any point other than after ST.
Also still, Ganon winds, Koriki children transform into the Koroks to hid better, as could be evidence in the Adult Link playthrough with the empty koriki forest overun by monsters. So everything just points to Zelda 2. As long as OOT has Koriki children it makes sense
Oh, and I don't think we should take Amiibo abilities as canon bits of storyline, so Wolf Link is definitely out.XD
Also don't forget the koriki lived on. Even after 8 year Ganon ruled they still survived. So Ganon just can't go out and kill them all, also why would he? The Koriki children aren't any importance to him, unlike the Gorons and Zoroas
And with Link defeated it makes sense for them to go into hiding as koroks do, which is said in the Breath of the Wild
No it doesn't, because the Kokiri wouldn't have a need of transforming into Koroks in order to hide better if Ganon had won but no flood had occurred.
They're children of the forest and basically guardians of the lost woods; they wouldn't need transformation magic that literally changed their race in order to hide.
Also, don't forget that after Ganon wins, the end result of that is that the Gods flood Hyrule to save it.
The Koroks are the direct result of that flood.
So even if Ganon wins, as you say, it still ends with the Kokiri transforming into Koroks.
i still think the best place for it to take place is after Zelda II, that way you don't have to fit it between any other game and all future games could just take place after this one
as for the kokiri well they could still evolve into the korok either way
still i'm sure Nintendo will tell us sooner or later WHERE it fits
@smashbrolink so anyone can wield the master sword now? wouldn't calling back to this Hyrule defeat the purpose of King Hyrules sacfrifice AND his wish on the triforce that Tetra and Link would find a new land, a land to call there own?
What? Have you even seen the timeline? When Link is defeated it leads onto Links of the past. So Hyrule would not flood. Also Yes they would, as Ganon would basically take down the world, and they would need to take a diffrent form in order to hide better. Also they aren't powerful, hell if they get lost in the woods their screwed.
@FullbringIchigo I couldent agree more. It just makes more sense
Wind Waker Does make sense, but Zelda 2 makes alot more sense, I mean WW only has 2 reasons to fit, and both are very flawed. While Zelda 2 explains far more
Sorry when it comes to theorizing I get waaaaay into it then I should, but I just love it. No hard feelings but hey, atleast this way we can just get closer to the true timeline
I'm still firmly convinced that the lore's statement that they evolved into Koroks as a direct result of evolving to live on the sea, is the key point here that shows they wouldn't have become Koroks, and wouldn't be in BotW, if the game didn't take place sometime after WW.
@ Jesiah
Keep in mind that Zelda is also capable of handling the Master Sword.
And Ganondorf's stone body isn't exactly a sacred pedestal; it isn't hard to imagine Ganondorf's body eroding away, and a new hero, or someone equally as sacred or pure-hearted as Zelda [like, say, one of the sages?] taking the sword.
It's been proven more than once that Ganon isn't the only dark threat, and who knows, maybe someone somehow got wind that Ganon's spirit had survived and that the sword would be needed again, so they went to retrieve it from the Ganondorf statue?
Also, @Pat again, you forget that right after Ganon won, the Sealing War took place.
A war like that would have decimated the land and likely destroyed the forests in the process, which would again explain changes in topography.
There wouldn't be any place for the Kokiri TO hide.
Also, there's no need to apologize, pat.
I'm not offended or taking this too much to heart; I'm actually having fun with it, so please, do keep going until you can't think of any ways around my logic, or until vice-versa happens.XD
But the golden war wasn't in Hyrule, but rather the place ganon traveled to in OOT, where no one returned, and after some time Ganon was about to escape from it, but the 7 mages sealed it off. Which is why the Wizard was trying to free Ganon. So the forests did last, and by then it could have been to late for the Koroks to turn back, and were stuck in the form they made out of fear. Also 1 more thing, in Wind Waker the koroks weren't hiding, they traveled the world to spread their seeds, they werent secretive. But In the Breath of the Wild not only do we see 1 hiding but its not trying to spread more seeds, its just hiding. unlike in WW where thier trying to grow back
Anyways im gonna go to bed. I'll just say this, Zelda 2 comes as a first since it has more of the definitive reasons that stand strong. Wind Waker is a strong second but only has about 2 reasons as of now, that are still flawed or can be easily explained. And TP or Skyward Sword come at third due to either TP world or Skyward sword Link for being right handed
But lets be honest, we have only see like 2% of Zelda Wiiu, and we haven't even seen the towns. We can't say anything for sure yet
I still the like the Skyward Sword sequel theory... this is the surface, but some time after the events of SS... architecturally and topographically it looks similar... Also, maybe the Koroks are super ancient?
It fits in the same where Super Mario Maker sits in the Mario time line.
I thought the point of the Wind Waker timeline was to establish a new bloodline of heroes (the Link in Wind Waker has to prove himself in the Tower of the Gods) and a new version of Hyrule, which I believe is where Spirit Tracks is set (though I haven't played it yet).
For now I'm gonna guess Breath of the Wild happens after Twilight Princess.
Somewhere around Zelda 1 and 2 , I believe. Hyrule is ruined in those games.
I believe Breath of the Wild is after Twilight Princess, but parallel to Zelda 1.
I would think its after Twilight Princess, but with the right handed Link it only leaves very few options.
Which I still think its after Zelda 2, also isn't it about time they expand that timeline a bit more. I mean after all Zelda 2 was byfar the most stressful Zelda project to date, as said by Miyamoto. Miyamoto thought that Link to the Past was the true Zelda 2, and Zelda 2 merly progressed the story. So what if this game was made as a tribute to Zelda 2, much like a continuation to fix the mess it became. As well as give it a true ending
And again, what other Link has been able to jump lol..........Well on his own. The other games needed items to do it
I have 2 theories.
1) Breath of the Wild takes place between Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker . There is potentially hundreds to thousands of years of time between the two games, enough time for technology to advance past any point we've seen thus far.
1A) This is an adventure that is lost to history, and it never becomes a legend passed down. Ganon(dorf) never gains control of the world to the point where the people of Hyrule take notice and pass down legends of this hero when he is defeated.
1B) This adventure is spoken of in the beginning of Wind Waker, when Ganon returned and took over the world once again. The hero actually did return to stop him, but either:
i)The hero was ultimately defeated by ganon, or
ii) The hero is responsible for the flooding of the land of Hyrule to become the Great Sea.
2) This takes place as an alternative to the legend told before the Wind Waker. In that tale, the people prayed for the Hero of Time to return and defeat Ganon once again. In the Wind Waker, he never appeared, and thus the Goddesses flooded the land to stop Ganondorf. What if this is that same moment where Ganon returns, only in this timeline, the hero does return (after a 100 year cryo-sleep) to face Ganon once again? This would mean another split of the timeline, on the same path where Adult link defeated Ganondorf it Ocarina of Time.
Both of these would chronologically take place at roughly the same time, before the Wind Waker's Great Flood.
To answer the headline: It shouldn't fall into any time line. The timeline was made up for the fans who asked for one.
No Zelda chronology makes sense, including the official. Sure, some Zelda games are connected, but the Zelda chronology is shoehorned for the most part.
To me, Breath of the Wild could take place in the far future of any timeline. Eventually Hyrule will fall into ruins it's just a matter of when. Downfalll era/Era of Decline post Zelda II might be the most likely for the placement of BotW on the timeline as it is the least complicated. There is very little to disprove that BotW takes place after Zelda II after all. I just hope this Link is not the same Link of Zelda II because I want a new Link with a new story of his own.
There is a theory that interests me. What if BotW Link is the Link that did not exist during the Era without a Hero? What if he was the forgotten hero that flooded Hyrule? The rust and grime on the Master Sword could always be due to other things apart from a great flood. A hundred years does many things to a poorly mantained sword. Perhaps the Kokiri evolved into the Koroks before BotW to escape the terror of Ganon? It would be interesting to see a game where our hero 'fails' ultimately as he has to flood the land. I really wish for this be true as it reminds me of the Valley of the Flood. I have the feeling BotW might have a dark story considering the Shrine of Resurrection Link awakens in implies he was dead.
Putting it between WW and PH is not possible since PH takes place directly after WW. Putting it after PH would make more sense.
@smashbrolink He, I thought he did that in order to flood Hyrule already, but I guess you're right, he just prayed to the gods I bet?
Same thing though, he could've prayed for something else - or in one Timeline, Nayru answered his prayer and this time, Farore answered his prayer?
Between skyward sword and minish cap? Like someone mentioned the technology does look very similar to what was seen in skyward sword. Not to mention the fact impa was in it. Plus if I remember correctly didn't the sword have to be repaired in the minish cap(that is if the master sword and four sword are somehow related)? It would however mean there was a HUGE time gap between skyward and breath of the wild and again it doesn't answer the koroks. Unless to get really weird, what if the koroks became the kokiri and then when the great sea needed land became koroks again... nah lol
Kinda surprised nobody came up with the idea that the slumber Link awakens from at the beginning of BotW to be the slumber where he dreams up Koholint Island from Link's Awakening
Which would mean he sleeps through the Golden Era and wakes up before Zelda 1 in the Era of Decline!
At the start of Wind Waker it says the hero was called upon again, but had disappeared, surely his disappearance was his cryo sleep, and when toon link saved the world and destroyed hyrule, the real link awakened to this world.
@smashbrolink Your reasoning is sound but still leaves open the possibility of another event forcing the Koroks to evolve in the Fallen Hero timeline.
Look at it this way- water levels surrounding Hyrule clearly rose between OOT/ALTTP and LOZ/AOL. What was once surrounded. by mountains to the east is now flooded by ocean.
Given that the Kokiri lived in the east originally, it's reasonable to conclude that it is possible that the flooding of that region forced a Korok evolution in the spanning centuries if the Kokiri didn't/couldn't/wouldn't move westward (wanting to stay near the Deku Tree, for instance).
So if everything else indicates a likely post-Z2 setting, there remains a storytelling possibility that explains the Korok incongruity.
I'm wondering if this may actually be a 'prequel' to Wind Waker. We don't know for how long Ganon had a hold on most of Hyrule before the king flooded everything, and this could be showing the events leading up to his decision to flood everything. That could also explain the Koroks.
I thought at first that this would be before LttP as the Master Sword being in the forest is awfully familiar to the one found in LttP... Could also be sometime after LBW. The "after WW" scenario is very plausible and sounds about the strongest case to me so far. Personally, I've wanted (read: FOREVER) for the Zelda timeline to continue in the future after Zelda II's timeline: A world without the trinity of a Ganon, Zelda, and Link... until now. Let the speculation begin. I can't wait to find out where it fits!
@gokev13
A unification storyline is actually what I want where we don't have this divide in the timeline anymore. If that were true, this would be guaranteed to be after Zelda II, or better put, after ALL timelines in "a future". Intriguing! I love Zelda timeline talk
@The2ndQuest While that's true, the fact remains that as far as the Kokiri's evolution goes, the only time we have evidence of it ever happening is just before Hyrule flooded, while as far as connecting it to events after Zelda II, all we have is a lot of suppositions/what-if scenarios.
For example, Link being right-handed; it's been proven that some of the Links were Ambidextrous. You can see Link in ALTTP and Zelda II switching the hand he swings with depending on the direction he's facing, so in those instances his right-handed-ness doesn't really stand as solidly, as a piece of evidence, as the fact that Koroks, which can only be officially verified as existing after WW, exist.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that Koroks existing is the only truly solid piece of info that links straight to one of the time-lines.
Even the Old Man, which could potentially be a link to Zelda II, could be Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, or really just a random old man period and not the same one from way back then.
But Koroks are unmistakable, as they're not just one man but an entire species.
If we get a look at a new Deku Tree, then I think it'll be pretty safe to say that it's confirmed, but right now, Koroks are pretty solid evidence.
Of course, if someone can bring forth some evidence within the lore or in one of the games to suggest that the Kokiri did indeed exist in another timeline outside of the WW one, just long enough to evolve, then I'll gladly take that Zelda II theory as plausible.
But until then, I'm sticking with the clear evidence over the suppositions.
The only counter-evidence that crosses my mind, at this point, is the twin peak mountains that match that manual art from the original LoZ, but it's just as highly likely that that was thrown in on a developer whim and has no timeline connection.
I guess that's something that might get explained through the story? We'll have to see for ourselves on that one.
I highly, very highly, doubt it's in the Wind Waker timeline, because there's too many things going against it. First of all, if the Koroks spread their plants all over to rebuild a whole new world (and I don't think that would inherently work anyway, especially because I don't think the koroks can plant CLIFFS AND MOUNTAINS), why would it conveniently be called Hyrule when no one knew what Hyrule was anymore, and why would buildings such as the Temple of Time exist? Hell, why would Ganon be around when he has a sword stuck in his forehead, is turned to stone, and he's at the bottom of the ocean? And speaking of swords, why would the Master Sword be featured as rusted and forgotten in the forest (where it was found in Twilight Princess and ALttP, neither of which are located in the Adult Timeline) if it was lost forever in Wind Waker? And the old man? It's really on the nose, guys- they've blatantly said this game is meant to be Zelda 1. It's mirroring the old man who gave you the wooden sword! He's wearing a robe because, oh, the old man wore a robe too. He says he's no one important because he's just a hermit who spends his time reminiscing about the old days. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, guys. This doesn't mean he's the former king or Ganon or whatever. He's just there to give the player some opening background information to let the player know that this land used to be something much more special.
The child or decline timelines are the two more obvious options. It could be post-Twilight Princess, effectively when Hyrule entered a more modern age but things sorta went bad and the land became barren and wild, hence why Link has the advanced technology of the Sheikah, but is still living like a caveman to survive. It would also explain the techno magic-y presence of the Guardians. That, or it's a soft reboot and is meant to just be the new Zelda 1. I don't know if it will be post Zelda 2, if only because Z2 implies that Hyrule was back on track to returning to its former glory, but I could see it.
@ittleamber No profanity please.
@MeloMan I would prefer a unified timeline as well but we have what we have. A lot of Zelda's have that alternate world/dimension. What if before Skyward sword a malevolent force actually caused the world to divide into these separate dimensions and in "Breath of the Wild" the goal is to reunite the world the way it was intended to be. At key points in the story Link actually travels to a different point in the timeline to correct something that went wrong that caused another split (like Link being defeted by Gannon in Ocarina). After restoring a split an area of the wild is restored to what Hyrule was meant to be. In essence the Breath of the Wild would be like an ending to the series as we know it but also a beginning to a Zelda series with a unified timeline. I doubt that is what the game is going to be about but I think it would be rather cool if it was.
Someone on reddit posted an image that says "crystallised salt from the ancient sea" about one of the things Link finds. That would support the WW theory.
http://i.imgur.com/ldNLwz5.jpg
Does anybody else think the shrine monk looks like Orca from WW?
Hear me out, I think this is the final game in all 3 timelines. Hyrule has been destroyed. Ganon runs amok. All three timelines intersect thanks to the triforce creating a new link in that bathtub he wakes up in.
@Classic603 TO be honest I find him to be closer to the old man at the end of Zelda 2, who gives Link the triforce. Cane in hand, Long beard, Link being taller, It just seems like a pretty good fit
Honestly after Zelda 2 does make alot of sense. Reason 1. Right handed Link. Reason 2. The fact that Link sleeps for 100 years. In zelda 2 it has an open ending, which means besides Zelda waking up Theirs nothing for Link in the end. In OOT Link leaves to look for Navi and ends up in the lost woods. In WW Link sets sail to find a new hyrule. But in Zelda 2 its open enough for Link to take a 100 year sleep. Cause theirs no reason for him to stay since Hyrules safe. 3. It makes sense for Link to leave. If Links blood is ever spilt, ganon would be revived. So If Link stayed asleep for 100 years, then Ganon could not be revived, and Hyrule would be safe. Or so they thought. Reason 4, what other Link can jump up in the air on their own. Reason 5, The 2 worlds are similar. Both worlds have nice beachs, great forests, greater mountains, and many towns. Actaully Zelda 2 may have the most towns out of any Zelda game, and it is said that Breath of the Wild has many towns to go to as you explore. And thats just 5 reasons from only 2% of the game we saw. I honestly think that this game is made to fix what Zelda 2 had become. And Like Zelda 2, its trying to change the formula of the Zelda series, and it seems to take alot of lessons from Zelda 2. So it just makes the most sense out of any Zelda. With Wind Waker and TP holding in strong
I like theory 1 the best, but 2 is also a really awesome thought!
@smashbrolink If the mountains could be thrown in on a whim, surely the Koroks could as well? It seems like Aunouma just liked the species and would include them regardless of timeline concerns since that's usually not their priority.
@patbacknitro18 I don't think the old man at the end of Zelda 2 is giving you the Triforce. I think he's supposed to be the wizard of the backstory and you're taking it back from him. But it was never very clear.
I've already posted this on Zelda Universe and in Zeltik's YouTube channel, I'd like to see your take on it:
There are so many points that make me believe the game takes place before OoT: The crests that are displayed around look like the Bird crest from SS, also the Spirit Orbs have the Bird crest imprinted, the Royal Family Crest that comes with the Triforce above the Bird is NOWHERE to be seen. That implies to me that the Royal Family isn't around or hasn't been around yet. The strong presence of Goddess Hylia is very odd too, it may be that it's just because the character itself is kind of newly created and that's why it doesn't appear or isn't mentioned anywhere before SS, but what I believe about it is that since Hylia is everywhere in BotW it must be closer in history to SS, before the cult of the Goddess was forgotten (perhaps).
The Sheikah technology displayed in the game, even though it's highly advanced is hinted to be really ancient as well, just like THE ANCIENT ROBOTS from SS!!! When my brother saw the guardians in BotW the first thing he noticed was that the guardians' heads kind of resembled those little fellas. Those robots are said to have been created by an ancient civilization, what if that civilization was the Sheikah? On this note, one thing that truly troubled me about SS was that if the Sheikah were faithful servers of the Goddess -just as Impa shows to be-, they are not mentioned in the war against Demise while those robots are even portrayed standing at the side of the Goddess, what if the great Sheikah civilization was decimated by Demise and only their robot thingys remained when the Goddess rallied against the Demon King? That would also explain why the few remaining Sheikah are so secretive now just like the Impa that aids Zelda in SS, One more thing that supports this is that all those Shrines around BotW are not that "secret" and well spread over the world, that's not really "Sheikah-ish" TBH, it just doesn't go well suited with all the Sheikah trend post-OoT.
I know this theory is kind of flawed, but so are the ones that place BotW on the other timelines, remember that a great amount of years could span between the Era of Sky and the Era of Chaos, what if a first Hyrule Kingdom was settled by the hylians of Skyloft and then razed by Calamity Ganon? Under those terms it could even be possible that this Link could even be the original Hero Chosen by the Goddess being resurrected to fight against evil once again.
Anyway, the only truth is that everything is really messed-up and Nintendo did a good job hiding the time-placement of this story. Sorry if I'm not that clear, it's just that English is not my native language =)
We could be witnessing the very origin of Ganon as the encarnation of Demise, then later Ganondorf could be the encarnation of Ganon just like OoT portrays. As for the Koroks, they could be the evolution of the Kikwis, after their heroic stand with the Goddess they would be rewarded with the ability to remain as spirits of the forests, first as Koroks, then as Kokiris and back again as Koroks after the Flood.
@Shiro28
Ganon(I don't think) is the main villian, but Calamity Ganon. This can explain that Ganon still has the sword in his head, it could just not be seen. But for all we know, he could just be Ganon with a cool name. We'll just have to wait and see.
I think people like the theory so much because so many people liked Wind Waker (Myself Included, It's my favorite Zelda), and I think they would like to see this new unexplained game connected to one of their favorite Zelda games.
In the E3 gameplay, when Link picks up Rock Salt, the text box says "Crystallized salt from the ancient sea...", which pretty much proves theory 1.
@MES64 The only thing that text box proves is that there salt rocks from an ancient sea in Breath of the Wild.
It could just as easily be from the ancient sea in SS...and since that games is the very beginning in the series it could literally be in any timeline in the Zelda Universe.
@LordMolecule Good point, it could be the ancient sea from SS, though why was the rock salt found close to the top of the great plateau?
If I recall, there is a ruined temple of time in Botw, which is the EXACT same model as Oot, same towers, same shape, same windows, likely after Majora's mask, 100 years is far more than enough to see everything overgrown with trees. Regarding the race from WW, they gotta start somewhere.
@Danpal65 I have a Theory about where on the timeline LoZ:BoTw fits, too. I think It will either be a sequel to The Adventure of Link or Spirit Tracks b/c in the Legend Of Zelda: Hyrule Historia there's these little things at the bottom of the end of the eras in the chronology section of the book and the one under The Era of Decline's end, it says "The power of the gods has been restored to Hyrule through the courage of a young boy. Did generations pass full of peace and the light of prosperity? Or did the curtain rise on an age of darkness, when people quarreled in their search for power? The future of this timeline has yet to be unraveled.", indicating that there might be a sequel. Under the Era of Hyrule's Rebirth's end, it says "The ancient realm was destroyed, and the wind guided the founders of Hyrule to a new land, where the kingdom is set off down another path. With the lineage of the gods not yet explained who can say what successive generations will bring? The story will continue to unfold.", Also indicating there might be a sequel. Four Swords had one of those things and a sequel did come out (TriForce Heroes).
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