Apart from confirming that the spin-off sequence remains to be alive and properly, the reveal of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment might additionally level to a brand new development inside Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda franchise that is giving one central character a break. Among the many exhaustive bulletins made throughout April’s Nintendo Direct forward of the Change 2’s launch was the reveal of a 3rd Hyrule Warriors recreation based mostly on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Like its predecessor, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is ready to be one other spin-off prequel going again in time to comply with Princess Zelda in the course of the Imprisoning Struggle.
With Tears of the Kingdom‘s story in thoughts although, the most important and arguably most essential query dealing with Age of Imprisonment is whether or not this implies Hyperlink is not going to be returning within the upcoming prequel regardless of being Zelda‘s long-standing protagonist. Until Omega Power is planning to repeat Age of Calamity‘s non-canonical rewrite of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Age of Imprisonment could possibly be the primary Hyrule Warriors recreation to go with out Hyperlink as a playable character. Nonetheless, if that’s the case, then Age of Imprisonment would not be the one latest Zelda recreation to sidestep Hyperlink, suggesting that vital modifications are in retailer for the sequence’ future.
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Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment ought to comply with in Age of Calamity’s footsteps and embrace these key Tears of the Kingdom characters.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Will Have To Make Do With out Hyperlink
After the business success of Age of Calamity, it was possible inevitable that Hyrule Warriors would transfer on to Tears of the Kingdom for an additional spin-off to recapture the magic with this direct sequel because it had accomplished with Breath of the Wild. However based mostly on its Nintendo Direct trailer with no shock look from Hyperlink, it appears that evidently Age of Imprisonment is sticking to Tears of the Kingdom‘s canonical story for now. Whereas this does imply that Age of Imprisonment can discover all-new playable characters, together with Rauru, Sonia, and Mineru, it could possibly be Hyrule Warriors‘ first recreation to not function Hyperlink.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and Zelda: Echoes of Knowledge Put Hyperlink on the Again Burner
Nonetheless, regardless of its significance as an all-new Hyrule Warriors recreation, Age of Imprisonment would really be the second latest Zelda recreation to swap Hyperlink because the protagonist for different characters like Princess Zelda herself. Although beforehand solely playable within the ill-reputed The Legend of Zelda: Wand of Gamelon and different Zelda spin-offs, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Knowledge marked the primary mainline recreation the place the titular princess led as the sport’s protagonist. Whereas Echoes of Knowledge might have been a one-off recreation supposed to appease calls for for Princess Zelda as a protagonist, Age of Imprisonment might point out this may not be the case.
Nintendo Might Be Gearing Up For Future Hyperlink-lite Zelda Video games
Because the saying goes, if as soon as is an accident and twice is a coincidence, then Nintendo and the Zelda sequence are only one princess-led recreation away from establishing a brand new development throughout the flagship franchise. Contemplating that the way forward for the Zelda sequence stays unsure as Nintendo strikes on from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, it should not be ignored that two of Zelda‘s latest video games launched in succession have been Hyperlink-lites. Whereas Hyperlink might by no means be utterly changed or retired as Zelda‘s main protagonist, Echoes of Knowledge and Age of Imprisonment could possibly be examples of Nintendo exploring new concepts post-Tears of the Kingdom.
Finally, this could possibly be an excellent change for the Zelda franchise, because the optimistic response to Echoes of Knowledge suggests there’s a demand for related video games, whereas Nintendo seems eager to maneuver away from Zelda‘s oversaturated timelines and refresh the general sequence. By embracing this newfound potential with reimagined protagonists like Princess Zelda or extra Zelda spin-offs on the Change 2, Nintendo might revamp the franchise regardless of its obvious peak with Tears of the Kingdom. Alternatively, Age of Imprisonment might take the identical method as Age of Calamity, and open up new non-canonical choices that Nintendo might discover as an alternative.
