The surprise new Legend of Zelda game is almost here, and it turns out that it might change the timeline. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity comes out on November 20, but Nintendo Switch owners can play the opening stages through a demo version. It's through this demo that Zelda fans are finding out that the game's story is more than it seems.
SPOILERS for anyone who wants to go in fresh. Age of Calamity opens with Zelda making her final stand against an army of Guardians, as told by Breath of the Wild's memories. This is where Link almost dies, and Zelda has him sealed away for 100 years while she holds Calamity Ganon back. However, we learn that Zelda had a secret weapon: a small egg-shaped baby Guardian that can time travel. That's right - what we thought was a prequel is actually a potential timeline split.
How The Story Differs
When the little egg bot goes back in time, it seems to arrive just as Calamity Ganon begins its attack. Waves of monsters charge across Hyrule field, the Divine Beasts have only just been unearthed, and Guardians haven't been corrupted yet. Link is merely another knight of Hyrule, not Zelda's protector or the Master Sword's chosen. Essentially, the worst is yet to come. However, the egg's arrival brings Zelda and Link together sooner and gets Impa in on the action.
Why does this matter? Because the narrator states that the egg's mission is to save Zelda from her later fate. To this end, it submits to being studied by Purah and Robbie. The two scientists pull data from the egg's memory - scenes of Hyrule on the brink of destruction. Zelda gets an early glimpse of what Calamity Ganon at full power looks like, and resolves to get Link the Master Sword and find Champions for the Divine Beasts sooner rather than later.
If the egg's early warning succeeds, our heroes could put a stop to Ganon before the Champions or Link die. This would either create an alternate future of peace or rewrite history so Breath of the Wild never takes place.
Zelda And Link - Relationship Status?
The relationship between Zelda and Link is often a core part of each game. This is especially true when the two show a potential for romance. Breath of the Wild charted out a tense relationship that eventually turned to affection. This was mostly on Zelda's part, due to both her personal story arc and Link's eternal need to be silent. Zelda wanted to study the ancient technology, but her father forced her to develop her magic. Frustrated as she was with her lack of freedom and progress, she lashed out at the protector assigned to her. She later softened on poor Link, and her feelings for him unlocked her power.
In Age of Calamity, this conflict seems to be nonexistent. The egg's arrival gives Zelda a good argument for investigating tech over magic. Link also proves himself in her eyes from the start, so she doesn't seem to mind having him as an escort. Will their romance still happen, then? We'll have to play to find out.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity releases on November 20 for Nintendo Switch.