I’m huddled in my gaming chair, controller in hand, eyes glued to the screen as I navigate through the epic battles of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. As I delve deeper into the game, a question starts to nag at me, like a tricky puzzle in a Zelda dungeon that I just can’t solve: Is this game actually canon?
I’m sure you’ve been there too, right? You’re immersed in a game, but there’s this one question that keeps popping up like a relentless enemy. It’s not just about winning battles or unlocking achievements; it’s about understanding the game’s place in the grand scheme of the gaming universe. And when it comes to a franchise as beloved as Zelda, that question becomes even more pressing.
That’s why I decided to put together this guide. I figured, if I’m wrestling with this question, other gamers probably are too. So, in this article, we’re going to embark on a quest to explore:
- What “canon” means in the context of gaming universes.
- The factors that determine whether Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is canon or non-canon.
- The arguments for and against Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity being canon.
- How Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity fits into the Zelda timeline.
So, grab your Master Sword and Hylian Shield, fellow gamers. It’s time to dive into the lore, debates, and theories surrounding Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Let’s unravel this gaming mystery together. Keep on reading, the game is afoot!
What Does Canon Mean When Regarding Gaming Universes?
In the world of gaming, the term “canon” is a bit like the golden snitch in a Quidditch match – it’s small, elusive, and can change the game entirely. Canon refers to the official lore or storyline that is considered “true” within a particular game’s universe. It’s the backbone of the narrative, the thread that weaves together the tapestry of characters, events, and settings.
Just as the rules of chess dictate the movements of the pieces, canon dictates the rules of the game’s universe. It sets the stage for the characters’ actions, their motivations, and the consequences of their choices. It’s the difference between a knight making a legal L-shaped move and a pawn suddenly deciding to move diagonally.
However, canon isn’t always clear-cut. It can be as complex and multi-layered as a game of 3D chess, with different interpretations and debates among fans and creators alike. This brings us to the heart of our discussion: the canonical status of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.
What Makes Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Canon or Non-Canon?
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a bit like a wildcard in a deck of cards. It’s part of the game, but its role and significance are subject to interpretation. The question of whether it’s canon or non-canon is a hot topic among fans, akin to debating whether a wildcard should be considered as an ace or a joker.
The game’s canonical status hinges on its alignment with the established Zelda timeline. Just as a chess piece’s move is determined by the rules of the game, a game’s canonical status is determined by its adherence to the established lore. If the events of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity fit seamlessly into the Zelda timeline, it would be considered canon. If not, it would be considered non-canon or part of an alternate timeline.
I personally believe that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is not canon. The reason I say this is because the end of Hyrule Warriors does not fit within the established lore of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
In Breath of the Wild, Ganon awakens and the Calamity begins, just as he does in Hyrule Warriors. However, without spoiling anything for players who haven’t played Breath of the Wild yet, Link and Zelda fail to stop the Calamity. The opposite is true by the end of Hyrule Warriors. Both games cannot be right.
If Hyrule Warriors were canon, that would mean the events of Breath of the Wild would never have taken place, as Calamity Ganon would have already been defeated and locked away by Link and the Master Sword. But that was not the case in Breath of the Wild. Additionally, because Breath of the Wild is officially declared as canon, anything that goes against the established story within that game suggests to me that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is separate and not considered canon.
Therefore, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is definitely not canon.
What Are the Arguments for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Being Canon?
The proponents for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity being canon have a few aces up their sleeves. They argue that:
- The game was developed with the involvement of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma, which lends it a degree of official legitimacy.
- The game’s storyline provides a prequel to the events of Breath of the Wild, offering a backstory to the Great Calamity, a pivotal event in the Zelda timeline.
- The game introduces new characters and events that enrich the Zelda lore, adding depth and complexity to the universe.
These arguments suggest that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is not just a side quest in the Zelda universe, but a main storyline that contributes to the overall narrative.
What Are the Arguments Against Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Being Canon?
On the other side of the coin, the opponents argue that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is more like a fan-fiction than an official chapter in the Zelda story. They point out that:
- The game introduces a time-travel element that creates an alternate timeline, diverging from the established Zelda timeline.
- The game’s storyline and gameplay style are significantly different from the traditional Zelda games, suggesting it’s more of a spin-off than a canonical entry.
- The game’s events and characters contradict some of the established lore in Breath of the Wild, creating inconsistencies in the timeline.
These arguments suggest that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is more of an alternate universe story, akin to a chess variant with different rules and pieces.
How Does Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Fit into the Zelda Timeline?
Fitting Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity into the Zelda timeline is like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube – it’s a complex puzzle that requires careful consideration of each move. The game is set 100 years before the events of Breath of the Wild, during the Great Calamity. It offers a detailed account of the events leading up to the calamity, providing a backstory to the post-apocalyptic world of Breath of the Wild.
However, the introduction of a time-travel element creates a divergence in the timeline, leading to an alternate sequence of events. This has sparked debates among fans, with some viewing it as a parallel timeline and others as a non-canonical spin-off.
In the grand chessboard of the Zelda universe, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is like a pawn that has reached the other side and become a queen. It has the potential to change the game, but its role and significance are subject to interpretation. Whether it’s considered canon or non-canon, one thing is certain: it has left an indelible mark on the Zelda universe.
Conclusion
And so, our quest comes to an end. We’ve journeyed through the complex world of gaming canon, battled with the arguments for and against the canonical status of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, and navigated the tricky timeline of the Zelda universe. Just like a challenging level in a game, it’s been a journey filled with twists, turns, and revelations. To recap our adventure:
- We’ve explored the concept of “canon” in gaming, likening it to the rules that govern the universe of a game.
- We’ve examined the factors that determine whether Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is canon or non-canon, comparing it to a wildcard in a deck of cards.
- We’ve considered the arguments for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity being canon, viewing them as aces up the sleeves of proponents.
- We’ve also looked at the arguments against the game being canon, seeing them as counterpoints from opponents.
- We’ve delved into how Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity fits into the Zelda timeline, treating it as a complex puzzle to solve.
But the game doesn’t end here. There’s always another level to conquer, another quest to undertake. So, what’s next? Read on to find out!
What Next?
As a gamer, I know the thrill of achievement. That’s why I always want to leave you with something actionable to do after reading an article. So, here are some tasks you can take on after finishing this article:
- Play Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and form your own opinion on its canonical status.
- Explore other games in the Zelda franchise and compare their storylines.
- Join online gaming forums and participate in discussions about game canon.
- Read more about the concept of canon in gaming and broaden your understanding.
- Share this article with fellow gamers and spark a debate about the canonical status of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.