Unlike a traditional timeline for video games where games come out in chronological order, The Legend of Zelda franchise is notorious for having a different approach. Instead of following Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf in order, each game takes place in a different era, with different incarnations of the characters. This has created one of the greatest mysteries in gaming — the official Zelda timeline.
Since the games only drop hints at where in the timeline they take place, historically, it’s been up to fans to figure out where they go. However, Nintendo has released an official timeline for the Tears of the Kingdom Master Works. But where does the latest addition, Echoes of Wisdom fit? That’s what we’re here to speculate.
Where is Echoes of Wisdom in the Zelda Timeline?
While nothing is official from Nintendo, it’s most likely that Echoes of Wisdom takes place in the downfall timeline, after A Link to the Past and Link’s Awakening, but before the original Legend of Zelda from 1986. This is mostly evident from the map, because Echoes of Wisdom features nearly the same one as Link to the Past and A Link Between Worlds, from the rivers to the caves. Hyrule’s land hasn’t changed much, aside from expansion, meaning they are relatively close together.
In the official lore, during the events of Ocarina of Time, Hyrule is split into three separate timelines — the child timeline, where Link is sent back in time; the adult timeline, where the adult Princess Zelda remains; and the downfall timeline, where Link died before defeating Ganon.
The downfall timeline contains most of the 2D style Zelda games, which includes all the Zelda games released before Ocarina of Time, as well as A Link Between Worlds and Triforce Heroes.
Another identifier is the fact that Ganon is in his blue monstrous appearance. In the child and adult timelines, he appears as a man instead before transforming into a beast. The downfall timeline is the only one where he has no human form at all.
Spoilers Ahead!
If you haven’t beaten the game yet, be aware that the rest of this speculation contains spoilers!
Echoes of Wisdom also features the Triforce as a whole, with all three pieces together. In the child and adult timelines, the Triforce remains split between its three bearers: Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf. The royal family also has no knowledge of the Triforce or Ganon. It seems enough time has passed for both to be forgotten. This means the game could take place hundreds of years after its last appearance.
However, it’s still up for debate. Echoes of Wisdom features many callbacks to Zelda games from other timelines, such as Lord Jabu Jabu from Ocarina of Time being around (although it could be different fish with the same name) and Yetis existing, which had only been seen in Twilight Princess.
Nothing is definitive from Nintendo, though, which means it’s still up to our imaginations where the game lies. I think it’s important to note that it doesn’t seem like Nintendo themselves are too invested in the official timeline anyway. After all, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom were seemingly put onto an entirely separate timeline, detached from the rest of the games. There are also questions that have no clear answer about the official timeline, such as the layout of Hyrule changing drastically between games.
Overall, it’s highly likely that Nintendo doesn’t keep the timeline in mind when it comes to making the Zelda franchise other than a vague guideline. Instead, they just make the game they want, with callbacks to previous ones scattered in as they wish. While speculating on the timeline and each game’s placement can be fun, players are not required to know it to enjoy the game.
Published: Oct 19, 2024 08:49 am