With a very intense focus on Breath of the Wild to start.
After much off-forum discussion and prodding from various members, here it is, a thread for everyone to wall of text each other in. For now we will discuss where Breath of the Wild fits within the timeline, rigorously since there's just so little we know and yet speculation is massive. We can also discuss the lighter things, like how the Shiekah are the LoZ Illuminati pulling the strings from behind the scenes (it only makes complete sense).
[ Keep in mind, I'm fairly lore illiterate, though I have done my own research on the series and games to know more than your average fan. My personal knowledge of the series is mostly centered around the 2D games, the only 3D game I've played to completion was Skyward Sword. I only got partway through Twilight Princess before finding that I wasn't liking it. ]
What do we know for sure about the plot of Breath of the Wild?
100 years ago, the Calamity Ganon appeared suddenly and brought ruin and corruption to the kingdom, killing a lot of people. Hyrule Castle has been able to contain that evil for these past 100 years, but only just. Calamity Ganon festers around the castle, swirling and building strength for the day it can break free (or be set free???)
At around the same time Calamity Ganon was screwing around 100 years ago, Link was put to sleep (maybe???), and is awoken 100 years later by some mysterious voice. This voice keeps telling Link to remember, what that is we don't know.
But we've got clues.
Ooh, a whole lot, I'm gonna list out what I've seen and then list out a theory or two and everyone else can add other things they've found.
The Hylian Alphabet - so here it is, mostly. A lot of future in-game clues will come thanks to this. A lot of text has been translated, mostly benign although some are enlightening and funny.
The Temple of Time- Directly titled as such in the game. Important location in Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword I guess. Locations of this Temple vary a whole lot in-between the games, despite the three games being tightly connected. In Breath of the Wild, the ToT retains its OoT look, as it's pretty much in ruins in Twilight Princess. I'm not certain about it's location though. This would seemingly place the game in the Child Timeline, but I'm not so sure about that.
Goddess Hylia- This is particularly interesting. The Goddess Hylia is named outright by the NPCs and seen in-game via statues representing her.
The Goddess Hylia is only integral in Skyward Sword, not directly mentioned as a deity in any of the other games, seemingly forgotten through time in favor of the Triforce Goddesses. And yet she's named in this game, her statue even appears in the Temple of Time, which makes no sense. Probably an aberration, but that could be said about a lot of these hints, lol
Bridge of Eldin/Great Bridge of Hylia- That bridge Link is crossing. Another connection to Twilight Princess, although I'd argue that A Link To the Past also has a similar bridge in a location near Lake Hylia.
If it is the Bridge of Eldin, it would probably place the game in the Child Timeline, since it's not built in the Adult Timeline. Nothing is directly stated to be a Bridge of Eldin in the Downfall Timeline.
Koroks- These lame Kokiri evolutions post-Great Sea flooding. Only a appearance in Wind Waker, and this game I guess. Some look similar to those that appeared in Wind Waker, though its probably just Nintendo being lazy.
"Ancient Sea"- Just shooting off the Wind Waker connection, we have another possible hint.
This ingredient is found on solid earth, meaning that the Great Plateau and possibly all of Hyrule was underwater at some point. Maybe.
Beedle- He's in the game. Appears in Adult Timeline.
Great Fairy- Common character in Zelda games, vary wildly so no real hints in her appearance here
Gorons- Have been in existence since the beginning, though not depicted in the Downfall era.
Great Deku Tree- Could be the one from Twilight Princess, could be the one from Wind Waker, could be one from some Downfall sprout. The presence of the Koroks and the Tree make me think that its WW related, but can't be sure.
Skyloft? - This is a bit of a reach, but so is anything Skyward Sword related at this point. Geography does match in my opinion. The Old Man does mention that the Great Plateau is the birthplace of the kingdom. Skyloft fits that definition nicely.
The Master Sword's Location- Man, this thing has been through hell it seems like. Its all busted and maybe rusted? It's definitely been overtaken by the elements, seems its been quite a while since someone has touched it.
The location is iffy to place, but it looks to me like the Lost Woods, the area the Master Sword is found in during Link's journey in A Link To the Past. It very much resembles the promotional art as well, god rays and all.
For the record, the Master Sword is only found in this location in the Defeated Hero/Downfall timeline. I guess it's technically in the forest of Twilight Princess, but not in this way.
Calamity Ganon- Ganon is Ganon in this game, not Ganondorf, not Demise. It doesn't even have a pronoun attached to it, Calamity Ganon is an evil, corrupt, and deadly force of doom. Ganon being Ganon is important because it would mean Ganondorf has already transformed into Ganon, and the idea of it being a force rather than a being could possibly spell other things for the timeline placement of BotW.
Speaking of his current predicament
Hyrule Castle- The fact that Hyrule Castle stands means that this could not take place in the Defeated Hero/Downfall Timeline, as Hyrule Castle is replaced by Ganon's following the Hero's defeat.
Shiekah's Prominence-
I dont know what this exactly means, but good info to know nonetheless. Its worth noting that Sheikah are not very prominent at all in the Adult Timeline, as they are presumed to be extinct. Their references in the Child Timeline are a bit strange, as the Sheikah symbol and an offshoot of it appears throughout the game, and even in the Twilight Realm, but they are never mentioned by name. Impa, a Sheikah, appears readily throughout all of the Fallen Hero Timeline though.
Telepathic Zelda- A reach, but if we assume that the voice talking to Link is Zelda, its a nice connection to the franchise as a whole. Zelda can telepathically communicate with Link in some ways. However, direct talking like seen in this game is something she only does in A Link To The Past. A reach, but that game is my favorite so I'm taking all I can get
Cryptic Aounuma Quotes- These should be taken a bit less seriously, but they are still very intriguing.
The second quote can be attributed to how we now know the Wolf Link amiibo works, its the first quote that's just been nagging me.
Another one
This mang
If you spot any other references (and I deem them worthy), I'll add them above.
After much off-forum discussion and prodding from various members, here it is, a thread for everyone to wall of text each other in. For now we will discuss where Breath of the Wild fits within the timeline, rigorously since there's just so little we know and yet speculation is massive. We can also discuss the lighter things, like how the Shiekah are the LoZ Illuminati pulling the strings from behind the scenes (it only makes complete sense).
[ Keep in mind, I'm fairly lore illiterate, though I have done my own research on the series and games to know more than your average fan. My personal knowledge of the series is mostly centered around the 2D games, the only 3D game I've played to completion was Skyward Sword. I only got partway through Twilight Princess before finding that I wasn't liking it. ]
The Timeline
*You can squeeze A Link Between Worlds just above the start of the Golden Era, or right on it. Unless someone wants to debate this point, its most assuredly in-between Awakening and The Legend of Zelda.
What do we know for sure about the plot of Breath of the Wild?
100 years ago, the Calamity Ganon appeared suddenly and brought ruin and corruption to the kingdom, killing a lot of people. Hyrule Castle has been able to contain that evil for these past 100 years, but only just. Calamity Ganon festers around the castle, swirling and building strength for the day it can break free (or be set free???)
At around the same time Calamity Ganon was screwing around 100 years ago, Link was put to sleep (maybe???), and is awoken 100 years later by some mysterious voice. This voice keeps telling Link to remember, what that is we don't know.
But we've got clues.
Ooh, a whole lot, I'm gonna list out what I've seen and then list out a theory or two and everyone else can add other things they've found.
Clues???
Post-Ocarina Confirmed- Aonuma has confirmed in a recent Game Informer article that the game takes place after Ocarina of Time. Which means fuck all.
The Hylian Alphabet - so here it is, mostly. A lot of future in-game clues will come thanks to this. A lot of text has been translated, mostly benign although some are enlightening and funny.

The Temple of Time- Directly titled as such in the game. Important location in Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword I guess. Locations of this Temple vary a whole lot in-between the games, despite the three games being tightly connected. In Breath of the Wild, the ToT retains its OoT look, as it's pretty much in ruins in Twilight Princess. I'm not certain about it's location though. This would seemingly place the game in the Child Timeline, but I'm not so sure about that.

Goddess Hylia- This is particularly interesting. The Goddess Hylia is named outright by the NPCs and seen in-game via statues representing her.
Bridge of Eldin/Great Bridge of Hylia- That bridge Link is crossing. Another connection to Twilight Princess, although I'd argue that A Link To the Past also has a similar bridge in a location near Lake Hylia.
If it is the Bridge of Eldin, it would probably place the game in the Child Timeline, since it's not built in the Adult Timeline. Nothing is directly stated to be a Bridge of Eldin in the Downfall Timeline.
Koroks- These lame Kokiri evolutions post-Great Sea flooding. Only a appearance in Wind Waker, and this game I guess. Some look similar to those that appeared in Wind Waker, though its probably just Nintendo being lazy.



"Ancient Sea"- Just shooting off the Wind Waker connection, we have another possible hint.

This ingredient is found on solid earth, meaning that the Great Plateau and possibly all of Hyrule was underwater at some point. Maybe.
Beedle- He's in the game. Appears in Adult Timeline.
Great Fairy- Common character in Zelda games, vary wildly so no real hints in her appearance here
Gorons- Have been in existence since the beginning, though not depicted in the Downfall era.
Great Deku Tree- Could be the one from Twilight Princess, could be the one from Wind Waker, could be one from some Downfall sprout. The presence of the Koroks and the Tree make me think that its WW related, but can't be sure.
Skyloft? - This is a bit of a reach, but so is anything Skyward Sword related at this point. Geography does match in my opinion. The Old Man does mention that the Great Plateau is the birthplace of the kingdom. Skyloft fits that definition nicely.

The Master Sword's Location- Man, this thing has been through hell it seems like. Its all busted and maybe rusted? It's definitely been overtaken by the elements, seems its been quite a while since someone has touched it.
The location is iffy to place, but it looks to me like the Lost Woods, the area the Master Sword is found in during Link's journey in A Link To the Past. It very much resembles the promotional art as well, god rays and all.


For the record, the Master Sword is only found in this location in the Defeated Hero/Downfall timeline. I guess it's technically in the forest of Twilight Princess, but not in this way.
Calamity Ganon- Ganon is Ganon in this game, not Ganondorf, not Demise. It doesn't even have a pronoun attached to it, Calamity Ganon is an evil, corrupt, and deadly force of doom. Ganon being Ganon is important because it would mean Ganondorf has already transformed into Ganon, and the idea of it being a force rather than a being could possibly spell other things for the timeline placement of BotW.

Speaking of his current predicament
Hyrule Castle- The fact that Hyrule Castle stands means that this could not take place in the Defeated Hero/Downfall Timeline, as Hyrule Castle is replaced by Ganon's following the Hero's defeat.
Shiekah's Prominence-



I dont know what this exactly means, but good info to know nonetheless. Its worth noting that Sheikah are not very prominent at all in the Adult Timeline, as they are presumed to be extinct. Their references in the Child Timeline are a bit strange, as the Sheikah symbol and an offshoot of it appears throughout the game, and even in the Twilight Realm, but they are never mentioned by name. Impa, a Sheikah, appears readily throughout all of the Fallen Hero Timeline though.
Telepathic Zelda- A reach, but if we assume that the voice talking to Link is Zelda, its a nice connection to the franchise as a whole. Zelda can telepathically communicate with Link in some ways. However, direct talking like seen in this game is something she only does in A Link To The Past. A reach, but that game is my favorite so I'm taking all I can get
Cryptic Aounuma Quotes- These should be taken a bit less seriously, but they are still very intriguing.
While making the latest title for The Legend of Zelda, when I look at this remake, I feel like this is the origin point of the new title we’re making right now. After playing this game you may have some “Oh I see!†moments when playing the [upcoming] new game, so I’ll be glad if you play Twilight Princess HD while waiting in anticipation for the latest title of Legend of Zelda.
...
It’s not the save data itself, but “Part of the data saved in the Wolf Link amiibo can be brought over and used in the new title tooâ€. For some people, when they play the new title, they might feel the urge to play Twilight Princess HD one more time.
...
It’s not the save data itself, but “Part of the data saved in the Wolf Link amiibo can be brought over and used in the new title tooâ€. For some people, when they play the new title, they might feel the urge to play Twilight Princess HD one more time.
Another one
At a group Q&A with reporters on Sunday, Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma was asked where the game fit into the franchise timeline. Aonuma said he didn’t want to say much about the story at the moment but said he’d stare a hint. He noted that that the t-shirt he was wearing showed the symbol for the Sheikah stones and that it was the same one from The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time. (In Breath of the Wild, the reawakened Link uses a high-tech item called the “Sheikah slateâ€). Aonuma also reminded people that, at the start of this game, Link is told he’s been asleep for 100 years. “He teased: “You can decide what this means.â€
If you spot any other references (and I deem them worthy), I'll add them above.
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