Recent updates confirm that the spin-off series is alive and kicking, especially with the unveiling of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. This announcement might signal a new direction for Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda franchise by giving a central character a bit of downtime. During April’s Nintendo Direct, which set the stage for the upcoming Switch 2 release, fans got their first glimpse of the third Hyrule Warriors installment inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Much like its forerunner, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, this game is a prequel that rewinds time to spotlight Princess Zelda’s role during the Imprisoning War.
Given the storyline of Tears of the Kingdom, the most pressing question about Age of Imprisonment is whether Link, traditionally Zelda’s stalwart hero, will make an appearance in this upcoming prequel. Unless Omega Force opts for another non-canonical narrative twist like in Age of Calamity, where they deviated from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s storyline, Age of Imprisonment might become the first Hyrule Warriors game not to feature Link as a playable character. If that happens, it won’t be solitary in its portrayal, suggesting potentially significant shifts for the series down the line.
Following the resounding success of Age of Calamity, it was perhaps inevitable that Hyrule Warriors would leverage Tears of the Kingdom for another spin-off, aiming to replicate the enchantment achieved with Breath of the Wild’s direct sequel. However, judging by the Nintendo Direct trailer, Link was conspicuously absent, hinting that Age of Imprisonment might be sticking closer to Tears of the Kingdom’s established storyline. While this paves the way for fresh playable characters like Rauru, Sonia, and Mineru, it could also mean a Link-less experience for the first time in Hyrule Warriors history.
Despite being a fresh addition to the Hyrule Warriors series, Age of Imprisonment may actually mark the second recent departure in the Zelda franchise where Link steps aside in favor of other characters, notably Princess Zelda. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was a groundbreaking title as it put Zelda in the leading role, breaking away from the norm of Zelda spin-offs where she appeared as a playable character. While Echoes of Wisdom might have been a single attempt to cater to fans wishing to see Zelda take center stage, Age of Imprisonment suggests that it might not be an isolated case.
It seems Nintendo is possibly gearing up for more Zelda titles where Link takes a back seat. The gaming world has a saying: once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, and it looks like Nintendo, with its Zelda series, might be on the verge of setting a new trend with one more princess-led game. As Nintendo turns the page from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the fact that two recent Zelda games have minimized Link’s role can’t be discounted. While Link is unlikely to be completely sidelined as Zelda’s main protagonist, Echoes of Wisdom and Age of Imprisonment may be pointers to the creative directions Nintendo is considering post-Tears of the Kingdom.
This shift could indeed benefit the Zelda franchise. The positive reception for Echoes of Wisdom indicates there’s a real market for such innovative games, and it seems Nintendo is eager to depart from Zelda’s cluttered timelines, breathing fresh life into the series. By exploring protagonists like Princess Zelda herself or diving into additional Zelda spin-offs on the upcoming Switch 2, Nintendo has a chance to overhaul the franchise, even after what many fans view as its zenith with Tears of the Kingdom. Alternatively, Age of Imprisonment might follow in Age of Calamity’s footsteps, opening non-canonical pathways that Nintendo could explore in the future.
