Hyrule Warriors Is Finally Canon, and Here’s How Age of Imprisonment Fits Into Zelda’s Timeline

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The first Hyrule Warriors game came out in 2014, and those games have always been separate from the main Legend of Zelda storyline. While the first two games included characters fans knew, they were set in different universes. However, Nintendo announced from the start that Age of Imprisonment would be different. This new game is officially part of the Legend of Zelda canon, meaning it’s a real part of Hyrule’s history. Because of this, fans are eager to find out exactly how it fits into the overall story.

While Age of Imprisonment might not play like a traditional Legend of Zelda game, it provides official backstory, detailing the complete Imprisoning War. Unlike other Hyrule Warriors titles which take place in separate worlds, this game expands on the main story of Hyrule. But where does Age of Imprisonment fit within the overall Legend of Zelda timeline? The timeline is famously complex and often debated, but here’s what we know for certain.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Is a Spin-Off, But Also a Prequel

While still considered a spin-off from the core Hyrule Warriors series, Age of Imprisonment reveals the complete story of the Imprisoning War – a conflict only glimpsed in flashbacks during Tears of the Kingdom. Nintendo confirms this game details the full account of Demon King Ganondorf’s invasion, including Zelda’s crucial part in the battle for Hyrule.

The game is set almost entirely in ancient Hyrule, during a time long before the events of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. The story begins with Zelda being sent back in time, and we then witness the Imprisoning War as it happens. This places the game thousands of years in the past, shortly after the kingdom of Hyrule was originally established by Rauru – as shown in the timelines of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

The “Imprisoning War” also appears in the game The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past, which has led to a lot of discussion among fans. Some wonder if it’s the same war as the one in Tears of the Kingdom. However, considering that the more recent Legend of Zelda games on the Switch often rework older stories, it’s best to understand the Imprisoning War as presented in Age of Imprisonment as the definitive version for these newer games.

Age of Imprisonment Rewrites History for Hyrule Warriors Fans Alone

Many key plot points in Age of Imprisonment were hinted at in Tears of the Kingdom. We already knew about the Demon King and Rauru’s fight against him, as well as Zelda’s involvement through time travel—but not Link’s. However, the new game doesn’t simply expand on the story of that ancient war; it actually revises it, offering a fresh perspective to players who experience it firsthand.

In Age of Imprisonment, you play as two characters not seen in Tears of the Kingdom: a wandering Korok named Calamo, and a Mysterious Construct who takes on a role similar to Link. These characters enrich the story, and Nintendo thoughtfully explains why they aren’t mentioned in Tears of the Kingdom when it discusses the Imprisoning War.

Although Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment takes place in the same world as the main Legend of Zelda games and serves as a prequel, it also introduces its own unique story elements. This adds new details to the Hyrule Warriors lore that players who haven’t experienced those games might not otherwise discover, focusing on two specific characters.

Okay, so I just heard Hyrule Warriors is officially part of the Zelda canon! Seriously?! That’s wild! I’m super curious to hear what everyone else thinks about this, so head over to the ComicBook Forum and let’s chat about it!

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2025-11-09 18:13