The Rise of Imprisonment Themes in Zelda Games

It’s official: the spin-off series is not only surviving but thriving, with the announcement of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment during a bustling April Nintendo Direct. As we look forward to the much-anticipated release of the Switch 2, fans have been treated to the revelation of a new chapter in the Hyrule Warriors saga, drawing inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, this new installment promises to transport players back in time, focusing on Princess Zelda amidst the tumultuous events of the Imprisoning War.

With the narrative of Tears of the Kingdom still fresh in our minds, one pressing question emerges: Does Age of Imprisonment signal a shift away from Link, Zelda’s iconic companion and long-standing protagonist, in this prequel? Unless Omega Force decides to mirror Age of Calamity’s alternate take on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s timeline, we might witness a first for the Hyrule Warriors franchise—a game devoid of Link as a playable character. Such a move might not be entirely unprecedented; recent Zelda titles have taken strides in the direction of sidelining Link, hinting at potential transformative changes on the horizon for the series.

Reflecting on the rousing success of Age of Calamity, it seems almost destined that Hyrule Warriors would delve into the world of Tears of the Kingdom for another captivating spin. The Nintendo Direct trailer hints at a departure from the norm, with no sight of Link making an appearance, suggesting that Age of Imprisonment is aligning closer to Tears of the Kingdom’s established timeline. This pivot opens the doors to fresh gameplay experiences with characters like Rauru, Sonia, and Mineru, while marking a significant first—even within the spin-off realm—by potentially not including Link.

Interestingly, Age of Imprisonment isn’t the sole game tinkering with the series’ formula. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom set a precedent, casting Princess Zelda as the leading character, a role historically dominated by Link, except in less-acclaimed titles like Wand of Gamelon. Echoes of Wisdom could have been seen as a solitary nod to fans clamoring for Zelda’s moment in the spotlight, yet Age of Imprisonment suggests otherwise, perhaps heralding a new direction for the series.

The potential development of Zelda-centric games raises the question: Are we witnessing Nintendo gearing up for a future with fewer Link-led adventures? As the franchise evolves beyond its well-trodden path with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the emergence of two back-to-back titles experimenting with this concept could indicate a growing trend. Of course, despite these explorations, it’s hard to envisage Link being entirely phased out; rather, it seems Nintendo is keen on refreshing the series post-Tears of the Kingdom, venturing into novel territories.

Moving forward, this could prove beneficial for the Zelda franchise. The enthusiastic reception to Echoes of Wisdom highlights an appetite for exploring new narratives, while Nintendo looks to break free from Zelda’s complex timelines. By reimagining the franchise with protagonists like Princess Zelda or branching out into more spin-offs on the upcoming Switch 2, Nintendo has the opportunity to revitalize the series even after its acclaimed pinnacle in Tears of the Kingdom. Alternatively, Age of Imprisonment could follow Age of Calamity’s playbook, presenting fresh, non-canonical avenues for Nintendo to consider exploring.