I'm pretty okay with this concept. Functionally, I think creating a new branch in the Zelda multiverse would be a great way to establish a clean slate, and shed the baggage that was created by the OoT split. It's kinda like how Disney relegated the the existing Star Wars expanded universe to a "legends" label to make room for new canonical narratives. And like you mentioned, having a new multiverse thread still allows them to cherry pick elements from the existing timeline that we're familiar with, but to have them come about in slightly different ways. It's classic multiverse fare. The Koroks could exist in BotW for a reason other than "the Kokiri took on this form after the flood." Star Wars recently did this by pulling Admiral Thrawn from the defunct EU back into the main canon in the Rebels animated series. There is one particular complication, though. The identity of "Ganon" wasn't established until OoT, so if this new branch diverges right after SS, then this would have to be an alternate origin story for Ganon, effectively establishing a second Ganon in the multiverse. I suppose that's fine as well. I think Zelda narratives are best when they're unbound by the established timeline. The more the timeline gets fleshed out, the more restrictive those boundaries become, so breaking out is a wise idea.
Although a new timeline split would is plausible, it is by no means require to make sense of what we've seen in BotW. Koroks were never confirmed to need the Great Sea to transform. The Kikwi were almost exactly the same forms, yet they lived in the middle of the forest. And it's not like the Temple of Time needs to look exactly the same as before for it to be the same one. TP is confirmed to come after OoT, yet the ToT has significant differences in both games (I don't mean the trees, calm down). Nintendo is just revamping and improving on their old designs with each installment. Master sword is in all likelihood behind or under the statue of Hylia at the back of the ToT. Hylia's prominence does make sense for a new timeline, but she could easily be fit back into the other ones. We haven't heard anyone but the Sheikah monks talk about her in BotW; It is very likely that they knew about her throughout the rest of the games and just never mentioned it, she IS the whole reason why they serve the royal family. It's not like they were ever very open about themselves up until now.
Brian Muir It'd be nice to see Midna again, but it doesn't seem possible sadly. It would be cool if there's at least some hints at the Twilight Realm in BotW though. Who knows, Eiji did say that TP and BotW are connected in some way.
Crusty Bogan If this is a new timeline, they can reintroduce whatever they want in any way they want. Midna was the first thing I though of when he started to play TP music at the end of the video.
I JUST REALIZED, THIS WOULD GO ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT THERE ARE NO HEARTS AND RUPEES IN THE GRASS!!! THIS MAKES SENSE, BECAUSE IF THIS IS TRUE, MINISH CAP WOULDN'T EVEN EXIST!!! mind blown
It's the downfall timeline. They won't split it again. Nintendo will retcon Hylia into the current canon. The end of the cycle theory you threw out there at the end is actually the most interesting thought I have heard from you on this new game.
They don't have to retcon Hylia into the current canon, HMK glossed over the fact that it is the *Shika* talking about Hylia. They are her servants and would of course remember her name even when the rest of the people have forgotten it.
I agree, except it's the child timeline. In the adult and downfall timelines Hyrule Castle was destroy and replaced by Ganon's Tower, yet we can see the ruins of Hyrule Castle on the Great Plateau where the ruins of Ganon's Tower should be if it was downfall or adult timeline. You can even see the walls of the gardens that Link snuck through to talk to Zelda in OoT.
Matthew Smith The downfall split happens in adult timeline. If link loses to Ganon in the final battle, its downfall. Otherwise, the adult timeline happens. And the battle literally happens in the ruins of Ganon's tower.
Gotta say, this was one mind-blowing theory, and I can see quite clearly now how all of the evidence up to this point can actually place the game directly after Skyward Sword in an alternate timeline. But then there's that last thing you said to Luke: "The end of the Cycle". That last statement gave me chills, man.
Christian Puddington I know, that this may be the most accurate theory about the timeline placement, but I have my doubts. firstly, the shiekah monks refer to the monster around the castle as "Ganon", which is not really possible because Ganon only every appears in OOT which takes hundreds or even thousands of years later. I doubt that this is a 'motif' that hmk refered to in the video, it's simply too much of a stretch. And also, the castle town in BOTW and OOT Add up perfectly (watch the video about it if you haven't already), this would be extremely hard to replicate in a split timeline hundreds of years before the split, especially to such accuracy. but this theory is with the least interference from other points. Maybe it's just extremely close to the truth, but is not quite there, just some aspects unfactored for. anyways, I'm just gonna wait for an interview with aunoma or miyamoto, where what comes out of their mouth is bible and will debunk and prove some theories. maybe it will debunk all the theories out there because it's so far outside the box? Just wait. you're likely gonna know within a year. Just if miyamoto agrees to tell us when it's set if not, we're fucked.
Best HMK theory... but if this is true that means the Link in Breath of the Wild is the same Link from Skyward Sword but not the Link you play as, the Link who is born into the world without the curse of Demise
No guys for real listen... When Link killed Demise in the past he took the curse into the Master Sword and with him back into the original timeline since the gate of time does not change the future regardless of what happened in the past. But in the other timeline young Impa stays behind watches this new world and timeline be created in which Demise was killed and the curse in not present. Whereas in the timeline Link, Zelda, and Groose go back in, Impa disappears because she does not exist anymore in their timeline since young Impa lives in a new one. So to solve the time paradox Nintendo just made old Impa vanish into particles. So everything following Skyward Sword in the timeline which Link put the Master Sword to rest is the curse of Demise present and the cause of every single Zelda game... other than Breath of the Wild. Because Breath of the Wild takes place after Skyward Sword but without the curse of Demise since it is present in the other timeline where the Master Sword is resting. Then comes HMK's "End of the Cycle" video. This means all future Zelda games that chronologically come after Breath of the Wild can be made to do anything Nintendo wants them to do because the whole Zelda franchise is rebooted WITH reasoning from the original timeline.
Another sidenote... this means there is another Ghirahim since Demise in the past created one before he died but used present Ghirahim as his weapon. This means Calamity Ganon could be a part of, or actually Ghirahim. The Ghirahim that lived without a Master to resurrect.
HMK, you have my grandest of thanks! This was my original theory of a timeline placement, up until E3 earlier this year with the reveal of the Koroks... Since then, this theory has been buried underneath the many different theories here on RUclips... Your video today has revived the thought and possibly as if it were a mighty phoenix, never truly dead, rising from the ashes in a burst of brilliant flame... or like an ancient blade being reforged, far better that he original could have ever hoped to be!
11:51 Wait, what? WAIT WHAT?? WAIT WHAT IF THE REASON WHY LINK IS BEING "RESSERECTED" IS BECAUSE DEMISE NEVER PUT THAT CURSE ON LINK/ZELDA/HIMSElF IN THIS NEW TIMELINE??????????
Avery Hicks I'm still gonna miss the old games. But at least I know that if it's the end of the cycle, that this will be the only game using this concept. Link is gonna die. we get twilight princess or windwaker spiritual successor. Done Or link will just be "Ressurected" again in the cave for another 100 years, which will just make little difference to what you peeps are looking forward to, but it will also make this timeline boring because you will always be the same link. either no BotW sequel or you get a weird sequel.
zues121510 Maybe a curse similar to the one demise put on Hylia, himself, and the Hero's Spirit will come at the end of this new game? Like what HMK was talking about near the end, about everything that fundamentally makes a Zelda game? The unified timeline had it, so it could go to this new timeline because of that? I'm just spouting nonsense now. :) BUT STILL OH MY GOD GUUUUYYYYSSS!!! THIS THEORY HAS AN ACTUAL FOUNDATION TO IT!! :D
Yeah that's good and all...but if the timeline diverges in Skyward Sword, how do you explain Demise's curse applying to the Link's and Zelda's in a time separate from the ones we recognize? How do you also explain Impa remembering the events after that battle when Zelda meets her as an old woman and she shows her the keepsake Zelda left behind. If time truly goes in a different direction, then it stands to reason these things can't remain. Demise's curse would happen to the new "BotW era" but not the previously established ones. And Zelda's bracelet given to Impa would remain in that timeline too.
Actually it's the opposite. Link brings the Master Sword with Demise sealed in it into the future meaning it's the original timeline that has the curse. That would explain what HMK is saying. The end of the cycle is the end of the curse, and is happening because the curse doesn't exist in this new timeline.
Technically, if there were a split, the old timeline would have her sitting there for however long, and the new timeline would have her sitting there until something else moved her. Though it might seem weird, the Impa who we leave at the end of SS is different than the one we see getting back to the old timeline. The one who we see in the old timeline sat there in a different timeline under different circumstances where Demise wasn't defeated.
XadexSquared You are missing the point. Or rather the bracelet that Zelda gave her in the past when Demise was defeated. The old woman Impa still has it meaning she must have followed the flow of time naturally with no divergence. Unless you truly believe she received the band under different circumstances. I feel the Skyward Sword's time travel is very direct and straightforward, similar to OoT (before Zelda had sent Link to his childhood,) when Young Link's time travel didn't change anything and the events happened as they should to reach Ganondorf's future; Zelda herself said she'd be breaking the magical connection between the past and present so Link could never come back to see her and no time travel would let her see Link again. Back to SS, remember how Zelda froze herself in the past and was able to be found in the present, despite the fact that, under this video's logic, Link would return to his time with no Zelda? Heck, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Zelda appear as a frozen orange crystal in the present even though the player doesn't know it's her yet?
1 Zelda is found by Old Impa and put onto her quest to regain her powers and memories 2 Young Impa goes to the future to save Zelda in the second dungeon which Old Impa would have forseen 3 Young Impa and Zelda continue their quest and go back to the past to put the seal in place at this point Young Impa would have got the bracelet from Zelda 4 Link goes to the past to learn the turth and Zelda goes to sleep to seal Demise 5 Link gets the triforce and uses it to kill Demise in the present 6 Giriham kidnaps Zelda from the present and takes her back to the past and Link gives chase 7 Link kills Demise a second time and traps his soul in the Master Sword and returns to the present with the sword It's at point 6 the timeline changes and creates the Cursed Cycle Timeline as I'm calling it, this is the timeline the other games take place in but because there's the paradox with 2 Zeldas inhabiting the same point in time Old Impa would still have the bracelet from the first Zelda. Also Old Impa or the Gods would have to use their powers to recreate the events of Skyward Sword in the Cursed Cycle Timeline just to make sure the 2 timelines could co-exist with each other or there would be continuity problems. But don't forget that third timeline could exist if Young Impa woke the first Zelda up thus changing the past even more.
Then why is it called calamity Ganon? Ganon is the demon form of Ganondorf, who does not appear in the series until OoT. There is no reason the people of hyrule would know the beast as Calamity Ganon if it did not take place after Ganondorf had appeared, transformed into ganon, and been sealed.
I’m watching this again in late 2018, and still this theory has high probability. The only problem is that in BOTW, Impa refers to Calamity Ganon appearing over and over again with previous Hyrule history such as Ruto awakening as a sage, along with Anomua saying the game takes place after OOT. However, this can still work because there just needs to be more games and more pre-established lore before BOTW in this “Another Era” timeline. This probably will be the case.
THANK YOU! No one EVER seems to acknowledge the obvious timeline split that happened way back in Skyward Sword. All they care about is Ocarina and it's timeline shenanigans, while ignoring the other game that has timeline shenanigans. Whenever you mess with time, there will ALWAYS be multiple timelines born. That's why I've always believed BotW to have taken place AFTER Skyward Sword, even if the creators say it happened after Ocarina. But who's to say the events and further timeline splits didn't also happen in the alternate timeline made in Skyward Sword? If themes, enemies, races and people can occur in multiple timelines, then why not events as well? Hell, it might even be like pokemon where remakes are actually the same events happening in a different timeline/parallel universe?
Their's a few problem with your theory: -The Master Sword isn't existent in this Timeline. It's still the Goddess Sword and would have no reason to be forged. -The Master Sword was placed in the pedestal in the past and remained their when Link came back in the future. If a Timeline split occurred that would be impossible. If it were a split Timeline the sword would have stayed their and Link wouldn't be able to see it in the normal future. -Their would be no reason to build the Temple of Time. -Demised cursed Future Link and Zelda. How would he curse a non existing Link and Zelda plus and alternate Timeline counterpart. -With Demise gone how/why would Alternate Timeline Zelda and Link "awaken" to fulfill their duties? The Royal Family or then knowledge of Link being a Hero would not exist.
The main argument against this theory and timeline placement after Skyward sword is a line from the trailer: "The history of the royal family of Hyrule is also the history of the Calamity Ganon". With that, they have to be referencing Ganon’s appearance in previous games.
youve definatly earned another sub i love this kinda videos, zelda brings back so many memories of my childhood and im so hype for the breath of the wild
I hope that People and Creatures from other timelines find a way to Enter this new Timeline that would be so cool that would connect this timeline to the others.
:Long Slow Blink: Personally, I've been waiting for an uncorrupted Ganondorf to face down a sealed Ganon from a previous cycle. But hay, I'm down with a timeline where the cycle has been broken completely. Lets see how this goes.
I really like this theory, makes the most sense out of all the other theories I've come across so far. But one thing, is that Aonuma said : "When I look at this [Twilight Princess] remake, I feel like this is the origin point of the new title we're making right now. After playing [Twilight Princess] you may have some "Oh I see!" moments when playing the new [Wii U] game, so I'll be glad if you play 'Twilight Princess HD' while waiting in anticipation for the latest title of 'Legend of Zelda'." Which seems to point to it being a TP sequel or prequel, instead of a brand new split.
The end of the cycle theory is the most interesting theory that you've proposed so far. However I don't think they will do another timeline split. The only reason the current timeline split actually exists is because Nintendo had to force all of the games into some kind of timeline form. I'm 99% sure that they didn't have a 3 way multiverse time split in mind from the very beginning, it is probably just what they came up with to explain everything. I also don't think they will do it again on purpose. Back to the end of the cycle theory - for me personally, if such an event were to take place, I would want it at the end of the timeline we already have. At the end of a particular branch, or connecting all three. Possibility 1: Place the game at the end of one of the 3 branches. Link and Zelda end the cycle. Then the following games in that branch create a more open Zelda series where there can be more villain/catastrophe possibilities than just Ganon/Demise. This leaves the other 2 branches to still have the cycle. Possibility 2 (a possible result of possibility 1): The end of the cycle and final destruction of Demise creates a new world. Ending the 3 time branches, and creating a unified timeline of peace (probably momentary). Perhaps without the evil created by demise, time can correct itself and no longer needs to be fractured. I don't like most of the unified timeline theories I've heard, but this one isn't so bad? Just ideas, constructive replies only please :)
i have to say that Theory is good but it still doesnt convince me just a quick reminder: remember the Scene where the rusted maser sword was there in the Woods with those two flowers in the Background hinting at the downfall timeline? i dont thinknintendo did this just out of fun in skyward sword you put the mastersword back to where it belongs and in all the other timelines you do too except for the downfall timeline. also whoevers voice that is it says that link will shine upon hyrule once again staitng that he obviously already saved hyrule once id say it is defenetly in the downfall timeline Edit: also if you think about the theory that castle town from oot is located right on the great Plateau but totally in ruins it also lines up with this Theory because castle town only got rekt this hard in the downfall and in the adult timeline last of wich we can definitely disconfirm
Kenneth Irgendwas Also Ganon only appears in OOT which is centuries or even millenia away from SS, and the monks somehow refer to him by NAME. that's a very big kicker for me, and it kind of annoyed me when hmk said something along the lines of 'this theory adds up with all the facts (lists facts) and ganon' basically he refered to ganon whilst speaking about the theory's legitimacy. also the castle town lines up PERFECTLY with the one in BOTW, which is pretty much impossible to replicate centuries after the split in both the main timeline and split one. I'm just wait a couple of weeks or months after the game releases and find an article where they interview miyamoto about the game and they ask him about the timeline placement, and what comes out his mouth will either debunk or prove this theory. simple. we just need miyamoto to agree to give an actual timeline placement.
I feel like this could be before Skyward Sword because if you read the manga, there are a lot of pointers that relate to the trailer (BoTW). plus if you didn't know this, link was already existing before skyward sword.
This is the most attractive theory I've seen. It's too bad that it can't work because the champions/in game historical record reference Ocarina of Time's events. I kind of hate that because neither the child or adult timeline are possible (it can't be the child timeline because Ruto is remembered as a sage who fought alongside the Hero, which is one of the few events we can be completely sure didn't happen in the child timeline, and it can't be the adult timeline because Hyrule was flooded, destroyed and totally forgotten). The downfall timeline is kind of boring, and the religion aspect is problematic. I really wish it were a timeline split after Skyward Sword because it works as far as the mysterious ancient Lanayru tech and Hylia worship are concerned and it's far more interesting.
I think the end of the cycle is referencing the cycle of Demise's curse. The end of his hate, the end of the reincarnations. I do not know what to piece out of that...
Roderic Kingfield But since the Master Sword absorbed Demise's ashes, the curse still remains forever and ever. idk. Zelda is supposed to be all fantasy, and it's not meant to be logical. Also, isn't SS part of the unified timeline?
I thought of a theory that link can travel between all three timelines, and there are items and NPC of alle of them because they touch each other, so they kinda fuse
What If BotW is not in the timeline at all but kinda like a reboot? I mean the timeline wasn't very logical from the beginning because it wasn't planned from the beginning. But by creating a new timeline all together Nintendo could make a perfect timeline with NO logic issues at all for all future Zelda Games. I would welcome if they do that. Then we'd heve a timeline that isn't just sewn together as good as possible...
OMG I just had a gigantic revelation about the timeline. Here are the events as I see them. Skyward Sword Link goes back and kills Demise, making a new timeline. The Hylians leave skyloft and continue to build on the surface, spreading the worship of Hylia. (Hence the abundance of Hylia statues both in every major settlement and some scattered through the wilds) Some time passes, but the Minish Cap never happens, hence there not being any sort of loot in tall grass from the Picori. The Rito evolve from the Loftwings (they do look drastically different from the zora-rito in ww) Events similar to Ocarina of time Happen, Then Majora's Mask, Then Twilight Princess, and people think Ganon is gone for good. Then some one tries to revive him like in Four Swords, but with out the Four Sword and Vaati. Realizing that the threat of Ganon isn't actually gone, the Sheika come out of hiding and construct the Guardians and Divine Beasts. The original attack of Calamity Ganon happens, and using the Guardians and Divine Beasts, they seal Ganon away for 10,000 years. Then the Guardians and Divine beasts are lost over time, and buried by nature. Roughly 9,980 years pass and our generation of heroes are born. (Link, Zelda, Ravali, Daruk, Mifa, and Urbosa) And King Rhoam heads a prophecy and begins excavation over mass areas searching for the guardians and divine beasts. When Zelda turns 17 and visits the shrine of wisdom on mount Lanayru, Calamity Ganon finally returns and corrupts the Guardians and Divine beasts. Link is fatally wounded and taken to the shrine of resurection, 100 years later link wakes up and Breath Of The Wild begins. What really ties this whole theory together for me (aside from the blatant resurgence of Hylia worship) is the world map itself. All of the key locations are completely moved around compared to other games. The Kokiri forest and the great Deku tree are in the north, where as before he was always somewhere in the south east. Death mountain and Kakoriko village have always been a stones through away from each other, except in BotW, where death mountain is far to the north, and Kakoriko village is far to the south, even being so far apart that Zora's domain is between them. Plus, as I mentioned before the 3 Spirit Springs can be found in BotW, the 3 spirit springs you found in Skyward Sword.
Random thought: Maybe the mysterious voice Link hears is Impa. It would still make sense for the slowed down version of Zelda's Lullaby to play in the background...
I think it's safe to say a lot of people have started to get to a similar solution. Myself included. But damn, HMK took the theory head on and slammed some truth and shit on it. Way to go. Nice elaborating and everything. Great theory.
thisis just a theory but: in the imprisoning war the seven wise MEN which the old man could possibly be one of, sealed ganon in the dark world (which, in theory, could've been considered hyrule) so they can give the hero enough time to claim the master sword so they can prevent ganon from grabbing the triforce.and he probably grabs it before being sealed ( which is why you hear zelda in hyrule castle) which turns him into the calamity ganon. he also could have damaged the master sword during the war and your mission is to fix the master sword so you can defeat ganon. (endgame theory)but since he gained so much power, even the master sword couldnt defeat him completely, thus the entire fallen hero timeline. i sense a bad ending in the game.
This makes sense. I've been wondering about the possible timeline split caused by the time travel in Skyward Sword myself. Nintendo _would_ get free hands to do virtually anything since the split happens before all of the other games... neat.
What if it does take place in an alternate timeline that is formed after the events of Skyward Sword just like you said, but instead of the game itself taking place after Skyward Sword, it takes place later down the line, like after the events of Twilight Princess and Wind Waker, but IN this alternative timeline. in this alternative timeline, the people never forgot about hylea, and the shiekah did become protectors of the land, so much so, that link was basically placed in a sort of cryo-chamber to only be resurrected when all else fails, thus explaining why the chamber itself is hidden away and not even that noticeable compared to other shiekah constructs, and why the Old Man says that the Shiekah have protected them for a long time. This in turn makes a really good placement for not only being the end of the Legend of Zelda timeline, but the Alternative timeline instead, also leaving place for an entire series of games all pertaining to this other timeline. and who knows, games like A Link Between Worlds could potentially be from this other timeline taking place at exactly the right time as A Link To The Past, making the history portraits within the castle, not a reference to ALTTP but to The events after Skyward Sword such as the part when it says "The Sacred Realm is Sealed", another supporting fact for all this is that ALBW is not a sequel to ALTTP but a spiritual sequel, meaning its not directly canon, that and the fact that Wolf Link in BOTW actually has some ties to the story in BOTW, as in a actual reason why hes there, not just an amiibo cameo, which is stated by a person at nintendo (can't remember who). If what I'm saying is true, we could be seeing an entire new series of LOZ made to explain BOTW, which follows along the theme of why link is doing what he does in BOTW, to find out what happened to Hyrule and himself. I would very much like to continue this in an actual conversation, and I'm ok with speaking about this in a video if you'd like. Anyways, love your channel, and your content, keep doing what you do, and have a great day!
I think you're pretty on point with this. I think Nintendo is done with current Zelda timelines and by splitting off of Skyward Sword they can technically start from scratch on a completely new timeline.
I think that it might take place before Minish Cap. Here's the explaination: After Skyward Sword and the Foundation of Skyward Sword, the hero's descendant, the Hero of Men, was tasked with ridding all monsters from the once prosperous Hyrule. This is why it looks so destroyed, and it can be seen in Minish Cap as the Hylians are still building up the kingdom, with not many villages. The hero must explore the ruined kingdom and seal away the monsters using the Picori Blade. But there are a few things that seem out of place in this theory, like why are there Koroks? They are simply the spirits of the forest, and changed to fit the form of Link in Ocarina of Time before reverting back to old ways in the Wind Waker. What about the Sheikah and goddess statues? The Sheikah are the protectors of the royal family of Hyrule, so when the monsters break out for the first time, you'd imagine that they would come to the rescue of the kingdom, but they have clearly failed. The goddess statues can be easily explained as this theory sees the game taking place before the Hylians had forgotten of her. But then, why is there the Master sword if this is about the story of the Four Sword/Picori Blade? That can be explained simply, as the Master Sword is old and damaged until placed back into the temple of time, so Link would be forced to find a new sword. What about the bird people? They might be evolutionary descendants of the Loftwings. Finally, the Calamity Ganon. The calamity Ganon could be the first reincarnation of Demise, and the source of the evil in Hyrule before Vaati steals his thunder for being evil in Minish Cap.
i would have theorized that the timelines finally merged together in this game which is why all the elements are in this game. at least based on the information from this video. kinda makes sense to get rid of the confusion.
I have a theory Breath of the wild takes place in an alternative timeline where link in SS is defeated by demise, and demise gains full power, then impa and the others have to seal him again.100 years later, link is resurrected and sees that demise has became an unstoppable force of nature, the calamity Ganon. Link has to defeat demise once and for all and save the new hyrule. This would explain why link had the sail cloth early in development. It would also explain why the calamity Ganon is black and red in color, he is demise, demise is black and red In color. This is what I think about the placement in the timeline.
Kass mention that the music he plays in the stables (Epona's song) used an ancient hero to call his horse so breath of the wide must happen after ocarina of time
What if there was a timeline split from the downfall timeline as a second alternate version of the Hero of Legend's adventures? Or mabye a alternate timeline split from Skyward Sword to Breath of the Wild?
That made so much since, Link and the master sword died because it was not forged by the powers of the guys in skyward sword, so when link fought climaty ganon he died and the sword was broken, so then he was put into the resurrection chamber.
With a timesplit after Skyward sword, we could have two Masterswords. One from the future and another in the Skyloft in form of the Goddess Sword. That could be the reasen why the Masterswords roasts.
hmk... no.... YOU CANT END A VIDEO LIKE THIS NOW IMMA GET 2 AT MY MATHS TEST TOMORROW BECAUSE I WILL BE THINKING OF BREATH OF THE WILD (for dumb people this is a jk wish me luck for my test)
It could just be the consequences of a self-correcting time stream, but I wonder if the reason there are so many timeline splits is because the Sheikah shouldn't have been messing with the time shift stones in the first place. In most, the Sheikah (the cause for the chaos caused by messing about with Timeshift, which is why they're usually in the role of "protecting the Hylians"). Time streams where a princess named Zelda is kidnapped by a great force of evil unleashed by the curse of Demise correct/stabilize better than others. Goddesses being, well, gods, aren't likely to be subject to the limitations of time and just kept throwing solutions to stitch the time streams back together to keep the races they created from dying out altogether. Mostly Hylia, who seems like a junior goddess and more invested in the day to day goings on, just keeps throwing things at the timelines like "let's give them wings so they will survive better", "here, maybe this sword will help" like a deranged kid who can't handle getting the "bad ending" in a Choose your own Adventure book. Every once in awhile the other three show their influence via spirits and magic, but they're more like the older kids indulging a younger sibling, and all 4 of them are getting tired of the game so the land is just going more and more to shit. And in the meantime the stupid mortals just keep making the time splits more and more insane and unmanageable by mucking about with technology they are too dense to understand. Basically, Hyrule and its alternate timelines are the product of a game of poor crisis management in the hands of an inexperienced goddess and her clueless interns.
That could explain why the Master Sword is in ruin. Perhaps Demise had more power somehow in this timeline and escaped the sword but not unscathed. That's why he's a black cloud, because his mind and body were destroyed.
So the Calamity Ganon is another "divine prank"? If you're going to have a timeline split in Skyward Sword, it will kind of negate Demise' curse in the one where Demise was destroyed by the Triforce...
How about this one: Fourth ocarina of time timeline, link woke up 200 years later instead of 7 years later. Would explain why all three timeline elements and ocarina of time elements are present, and why Ganon would be present
I also came up with a theory that adds to this! I had a feeling it was connected to Skyward Sword. Ok so, you know how in Skyward Sword, you pretty much invented the Master Sword? Well in Breath of the Wild, the sword is all rusted. So what if a part of the game involves you having to give the Master Sword another upgrade which then makes it the like eternally untouched blade?
seems very legit, i haf already thougth about this theory but i never imagined that sheikah would have protected hyrule with technology and wouldn't have relied on divine or heroic help (and it makes sense) this is also an realistic explanations of the rusted master sword because it would mean that it was seen by sheikas as a useless relic from the past less efficient than technology
FUCKING FINALLY!! SOMEONE THAT IS SMART!! I thought about a new timeline a few months ago, but i forgot all about it, glad you brought it up again, i agree with you man, i think breath of the wild is definetly a brand new timeline!
Link: HYA HYA HYA HYA HYA HYA HYAA HYAA HYA HYA HYA HAAA! Translate: Oh great. First the princess makes the title "The Legend of Zelda" even though I do all the shit and thanks to her I'm getting mistaken for Zelda still for 20 fking years and now the Sheikahs are claiming credits that they saved Hyrule?! Fk this! Next thing I know, The cuccos are the hero of legend
I remain unconvinced. You really don't see the Kokiri in Twilight Princess, and I think their transformation had more to do with the new Deku Tree than them actually moving to the Great Sea, just the timing worked out to appear that way. Also, Nintendo has been really pointing to Twilight Princess HD for things in Breath of the Wild, even letting us have a Wolf Link companion. Seems kind of odd that they would have Wolf Link be a thing, shackles and all, unless Twilight Princess was an actual thing that happened in it's timeline. I don't know why all these references to Hylia only now appeared around the land, I think we just have to accept that it was a concept they haven't thought of at the time and it got Retconned in.
Interesting and well thought out theory. But if we're talking a new timeline, why not also have it branch from OoT like the others (for simplicity)? This could easily be a new timeline in which Zelda did NOT send Link back at the end of OoT so when Ganondorf got unsealed, the Hero of Time would still be there to save them.
So from what i gathered. The Sheikah took the place of Link in saving the world through the different attacks from Ganon. "But wait how would there be Ganon if this is another timeline." Well even though a different timeline causes different events to take place doesn't mean the same people can't be born. Also, most likely the goddesses had to have chosen those to covet the three Triforces, and this version of Ganon could still have become evil due to desire and upbringing in the desert. Also Demise's Curse (due to him being god like) could span over dimensions. Even if it does not, Ganon could use his part of the Triforce to gain so much of his power even to the point it rips him apart and becomes Calamity Ganon! Bum bum buuuuuuum. So back to the Sheikah. In this New Timeline, I wager it follows the original downfall timeline events, but instead of Link saving the day, it's the Sheikah with their tech.and in Breath of the Wild we are in the same time as the ending of the downfall timeline, but in an alternate dimension. So I'm saying that the events which created the land of OoT still occurred to produce the similar buildings and surroundings, but because the hero of time wasn't needed they placed a Hylia Statue in the temple of time instead of the Master Sword. Now I say the downfall timeline because there was no Real Defeat of Ganon, because the sages weren't needed due to the Sheikah which still allows corruption in the kingdom after they expanded and gave Ganon an in to control the guardians or what have you. This is great because in a way this can merge some of the games together (As HMK stated) so you will see bits and pieces from multiple games. I know there are holes in this but my brain is melting and coming out of my ears.
My third theory is that the world thought that Gannon could only ressurect with Link and Zelda so they tried a loophole stick link into stasis. hopeing that ganon could not be revived because link did not die. but they were wrong. they didnt bother makein a memory bank for him because they did not expect 2 need him
Interesting, but then another problem comes up. This Link was put into hibernation 100 years prior. If it takes place in the timeline that Skyward Sword Link left after beating Demise, there wouldn't be a Link anywhere to be put into hibernation.
I can support this. I even feel stupid for not thinking of it myself. Of course, the vanquishing of Demise is going to have such effects. It's so obvious when we just take a look at OoT. Which is to say: Why only one additional timeline? We have one where the Skyloftians come down in the past after Demise is killed and the Curse (which is Ganon) is uttered. Leading to many advancements and everything else with a collapse the very moment the Curse of Demise strikes with its full force. We have another, which is the main timeline, in which the Goddess Statue and the Triforce come down and the Surface is settled from there. Leading to the Era of Prosperity and the Sealing of the Triforce in the Sacred Realm behind the Temple of Time. It stands to argue that these two might converge, but seeing the difference in timing, this seems silly. And a third should we fail in the final fight. This timeline might be shortlived, but Demise might have a thing for ruling the people of the world with an iron fist, leaving open the possibility of a resistence. The failing point is also very important, as we wouldn't have a complete Master Sword otherwise. Of these three, the first, that was also proposed by you, is the most likely for Breath of the WIld. But the third one is Downfall Timeline Alpha in a way, so there are also many possibilities to re-iterate on that. After yet a new war against Demise. Which will continue to split timelines... Over and over again... Damn that cycle... I really like your thinking at the end, cause it mirrored my own. And reminded me of a certain huge Pokemon theory... Will be excited for yours^^
I like it a lot. Only thing I always go back to though is how aonuma or whoever said that the game will be heavily connected to TP. Wonder how in this instance. Maybe the sheikah monks were the twili to be in the main timeline? Just spit balling here, call me andre haha
Well maybe Ganondorfs death had more far reaching consequences then we could of imagined, and his words at the end of the game cast a further curse on Hyrule which took form eventually as Calamity Ganon? I dunno, don't take my simple theory too seriously. Lol
I personally think (and hope) Nintendo will try to explain the existence of the downfall timeline and that whole "The hero is not successfull" thing. I believe BoT could be set at the first spot of the downfall timeline to try to do that via timetravel. As the company is willing to shake up its formula with Zelda I think they will try to implement a more complex storyline besides their focus on gameplay and see how it works out with consumers.
They don't base the games on the timeline, it's the contrary. Do you think the lead devs say to make sure the new game doesn't conflict with the current confirmed timeline? Nah man...
Yes, now I think they do. I don't think they used to, but after Ocarina and especially after Skyward Sword, they solidified the timeline. They certainly make the game engine and mechanics first, but then they take the timeline into account when creating the story. But this theory, as someone else said in the comments, allows for the series to get a "reboot" while still technically fitting in the same timeline.
or maybe this is a remake of the first zelda? and maybe the old man is the guy from the first zelda that gave link the sword? I've been playing the game since 86 and been hooked ever since love this stuff. great Channel by the way
i feel that breath of the wild takes place in between minish cap and four swords or after skyward sword during the era of chaos period as a failed timeline since the structure of the temple of time and the environment around it would end up changing to be like that in ocarina of time but didn't get to be redesigned since the calamity happened before there was a new generation to continue on into ocarina of time.
it would be cool if Nintendo made a huge movie that brought the three timelines together
I'm pretty okay with this concept. Functionally, I think creating a new branch in the Zelda multiverse would be a great way to establish a clean slate, and shed the baggage that was created by the OoT split. It's kinda like how Disney relegated the the existing Star Wars expanded universe to a "legends" label to make room for new canonical narratives.
And like you mentioned, having a new multiverse thread still allows them to cherry pick elements from the existing timeline that we're familiar with, but to have them come about in slightly different ways. It's classic multiverse fare. The Koroks could exist in BotW for a reason other than "the Kokiri took on this form after the flood." Star Wars recently did this by pulling Admiral Thrawn from the defunct EU back into the main canon in the Rebels animated series.
There is one particular complication, though. The identity of "Ganon" wasn't established until OoT, so if this new branch diverges right after SS, then this would have to be an alternate origin story for Ganon, effectively establishing a second Ganon in the multiverse.
I suppose that's fine as well. I think Zelda narratives are best when they're unbound by the established timeline. The more the timeline gets fleshed out, the more restrictive those boundaries become, so breaking out is a wise idea.
Yo!
Wibbly wobbly timey wimey
NEED. MIDNA. BACK.
Although a new timeline split would is plausible, it is by no means require to make sense of what we've seen in BotW.
Koroks were never confirmed to need the Great Sea to transform. The Kikwi were almost exactly the same forms, yet they lived in the middle of the forest.
And it's not like the Temple of Time needs to look exactly the same as before for it to be the same one. TP is confirmed to come after OoT, yet the ToT has significant differences in both games (I don't mean the trees, calm down). Nintendo is just revamping and improving on their old designs with each installment.
Master sword is in all likelihood behind or under the statue of Hylia at the back of the ToT.
Hylia's prominence does make sense for a new timeline, but she could easily be fit back into the other ones. We haven't heard anyone but the Sheikah monks talk about her in BotW; It is very likely that they knew about her throughout the rest of the games and just never mentioned it, she IS the whole reason why they serve the royal family. It's not like they were ever very open about themselves up until now.
Brian Muir It'd be nice to see Midna again, but it doesn't seem possible sadly. It would be cool if there's at least some hints at the Twilight Realm in BotW though. Who knows, Eiji did say that TP and BotW are connected in some way.
Crusty Bogan If this is a new timeline, they can reintroduce whatever they want in any way they want. Midna was the first thing I though of when he started to play TP music at the end of the video.
Brian Muir I suppose you're right, I hope it happens.
Brian Muir only if it's Imp Midna, she had the best curves. The other form has an unattractive face.
GREAT... I took a big gulp of water like a second before you said, "The end of the cycle!".
*Claps hands
Yup Kid, it's me... Sorry I havent been around as of late. My computer went NUTZ on me. XD
I JUST REALIZED, THIS WOULD GO ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT THERE ARE NO HEARTS AND RUPEES IN THE GRASS!!! THIS MAKES SENSE, BECAUSE IF THIS IS TRUE, MINISH CAP WOULDN'T EVEN EXIST!!! mind blown
Andrew Thomas wait what..... WAIT WHAT. HOLY SHIT WHAT.
Andrew Thomas OMG WHAT THE HECK OMG OMG THAT, THAT FRIGGING WORKS
Oh, shit. I forgot about that! 4th timeline confirmed.
LET'S GO BOYS!!!
WTF YOUR RIGHT!!!
It's the downfall timeline. They won't split it again. Nintendo will retcon Hylia into the current canon. The end of the cycle theory you threw out there at the end is actually the most interesting thought I have heard from you on this new game.
They don't have to retcon Hylia into the current canon, HMK glossed over the fact that it is the *Shika* talking about Hylia. They are her servants and would of course remember her name even when the rest of the people have forgotten it.
Ew the cop out timeline gross keep that only to handhelds and 2D zeldas.
I agree, except it's the child timeline. In the adult and downfall timelines Hyrule Castle was destroy and replaced by Ganon's Tower, yet we can see the ruins of Hyrule Castle on the Great Plateau where the ruins of Ganon's Tower should be if it was downfall or adult timeline. You can even see the walls of the gardens that Link snuck through to talk to Zelda in OoT.
Brian Muir Didn't Hyrule Castle's destruction and replacement by Ganon's Tower happen in the Adult timeline, and not the Downfall timeline?
Matthew Smith The downfall split happens in adult timeline. If link loses to Ganon in the final battle, its downfall. Otherwise, the adult timeline happens. And the battle literally happens in the ruins of Ganon's tower.
I'm getting a strong sense of deja vu from that ending, to figure this out I will need to use my Gnoggin for this one.
Gotta say, this was one mind-blowing theory, and I can see quite clearly now how all of the evidence up to this point can actually place the game directly after Skyward Sword in an alternate timeline.
But then there's that last thing you said to Luke: "The end of the Cycle". That last statement gave me chills, man.
Christian Puddington I know, that this may be the most accurate theory about the timeline placement, but I have my doubts.
firstly, the shiekah monks refer to the monster around the castle as "Ganon", which is not really possible because Ganon only every appears in OOT which takes hundreds or even thousands of years later. I doubt that this is a 'motif' that hmk refered to in the video, it's simply too much of a stretch.
And also, the castle town in BOTW and OOT Add up perfectly (watch the video about it if you haven't already), this would be extremely hard to replicate in a split timeline hundreds of years before the split, especially to such accuracy.
but this theory is with the least interference from other points. Maybe it's just extremely close to the truth, but is not quite there, just some aspects unfactored for.
anyways, I'm just gonna wait for an interview with aunoma or miyamoto, where what comes out of their mouth is bible and will debunk and prove some theories. maybe it will debunk all the theories out there because it's so far outside the box? Just wait. you're likely gonna know within a year. Just if miyamoto agrees to tell us when it's set if not, we're fucked.
Best HMK theory... but if this is true that means the Link in Breath of the Wild is the same Link from Skyward Sword but not the Link you play as, the Link who is born into the world without the curse of Demise
No guys for real listen... When Link killed Demise in the past he took the curse into the Master Sword and with him back into the original timeline since the gate of time does not change the future regardless of what happened in the past. But in the other timeline young Impa stays behind watches this new world and timeline be created in which Demise was killed and the curse in not present. Whereas in the timeline Link, Zelda, and Groose go back in, Impa disappears because she does not exist anymore in their timeline since young Impa lives in a new one. So to solve the time paradox Nintendo just made old Impa vanish into particles. So everything following Skyward Sword in the timeline which Link put the Master Sword to rest is the curse of Demise present and the cause of every single Zelda game... other than Breath of the Wild. Because Breath of the Wild takes place after Skyward Sword but without the curse of Demise since it is present in the other timeline where the Master Sword is resting. Then comes HMK's "End of the Cycle" video. This means all future Zelda games that chronologically come after Breath of the Wild can be made to do anything Nintendo wants them to do because the whole Zelda franchise is rebooted WITH reasoning from the original timeline.
Another sidenote... this means there is another Ghirahim since Demise in the past created one before he died but used present Ghirahim as his weapon. This means Calamity Ganon could be a part of, or actually Ghirahim. The Ghirahim that lived without a Master to resurrect.
oh god "The end of the cycle" It all comes together, HMK don't go mad; I've seen what this type of magic does to people...
HMK, you have my grandest of thanks!
This was my original theory of a timeline placement, up until E3 earlier this year with the reveal of the Koroks... Since then, this theory has been buried underneath the many different theories here on RUclips...
Your video today has revived the thought and possibly as if it were a mighty phoenix, never truly dead, rising from the ashes in a burst of brilliant flame... or like an ancient blade being reforged, far better that he original could have ever hoped to be!
The end of the cycle! It all makes sense now!
what is "the cycle" if i may ask?
ganon returns, zelda and link are born. etc. etc.
Victor in 't Veld A.K.A the last zelda game.
I think Victor deleted his comment
Cycle of Demise's hatred
11:51 Wait, what?
WAIT WHAT??
WAIT WHAT IF THE REASON WHY LINK IS BEING "RESSERECTED" IS BECAUSE DEMISE NEVER PUT THAT CURSE ON LINK/ZELDA/HIMSElF IN THIS NEW TIMELINE??????????
Julia Curry AND THAT'S WHY ZELDA SAYS:
THE LIGHT THAT MUST SHINE UPON HYRULE *ONCE* AGAIN!!!
Julia Curry THE END OF THE CYCLE! IT ALL MAKES SENSE!
That would only make sense if BotW takes place in the timeline where Demise was destroyed before returning to his full power.
Avery Hicks I'm still gonna miss the old games.
But at least I know that if it's the end of the cycle, that this will be the only game using this concept. Link is gonna die. we get twilight princess or windwaker spiritual successor. Done
Or link will just be "Ressurected" again in the cave for another 100 years, which will just make little difference to what you peeps are looking forward to, but it will also make this timeline boring because you will always be the same link.
either no BotW sequel or you get a weird sequel.
zues121510 Maybe a curse similar to the one demise put on Hylia, himself, and the Hero's Spirit will come at the end of this new game? Like what HMK was talking about near the end, about everything that fundamentally makes a Zelda game? The unified timeline had it, so it could go to this new timeline because of that?
I'm just spouting nonsense now. :) BUT STILL OH MY GOD GUUUUYYYYSSS!!! THIS THEORY HAS AN ACTUAL FOUNDATION TO IT!! :D
Yeah that's good and all...but if the timeline diverges in Skyward Sword, how do you explain Demise's curse applying to the Link's and Zelda's in a time separate from the ones we recognize? How do you also explain Impa remembering the events after that battle when Zelda meets her as an old woman and she shows her the keepsake Zelda left behind.
If time truly goes in a different direction, then it stands to reason these things can't remain. Demise's curse would happen to the new "BotW era" but not the previously established ones. And Zelda's bracelet given to Impa would remain in that timeline too.
Actually it's the opposite. Link brings the Master Sword with Demise sealed in it into the future meaning it's the original timeline that has the curse. That would explain what HMK is saying. The end of the cycle is the end of the curse, and is happening because the curse doesn't exist in this new timeline.
XadexSquared Okay but what about Impa?
Technically, if there were a split, the old timeline would have her sitting there for however long, and the new timeline would have her sitting there until something else moved her. Though it might seem weird, the Impa who we leave at the end of SS is different than the one we see getting back to the old timeline. The one who we see in the old timeline sat there in a different timeline under different circumstances where Demise wasn't defeated.
XadexSquared You are missing the point. Or rather the bracelet that Zelda gave her in the past when Demise was defeated. The old woman Impa still has it meaning she must have followed the flow of time naturally with no divergence. Unless you truly believe she received the band under different circumstances.
I feel the Skyward Sword's time travel is very direct and straightforward, similar to OoT (before Zelda had sent Link to his childhood,) when Young Link's time travel didn't change anything and the events happened as they should to reach Ganondorf's future; Zelda herself said she'd be breaking the magical connection between the past and present so Link could never come back to see her and no time travel would let her see Link again.
Back to SS, remember how Zelda froze herself in the past and was able to be found in the present, despite the fact that, under this video's logic, Link would return to his time with no Zelda? Heck, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Zelda appear as a frozen orange crystal in the present even though the player doesn't know it's her yet?
1 Zelda is found by Old Impa and put onto her quest to regain her powers and memories
2 Young Impa goes to the future to save Zelda in the second dungeon which Old Impa would have forseen
3 Young Impa and Zelda continue their quest and go back to the past to put the seal in place at this point Young Impa would have got the bracelet from Zelda
4 Link goes to the past to learn the turth and Zelda goes to sleep to seal Demise
5 Link gets the triforce and uses it to kill Demise in the present
6 Giriham kidnaps Zelda from the present and takes her back to the past and Link gives chase
7 Link kills Demise a second time and traps his soul in the Master Sword and returns to the present with the sword
It's at point 6 the timeline changes and creates the Cursed Cycle Timeline as I'm calling it, this is the timeline the other games take place in but because there's the paradox with 2 Zeldas inhabiting the same point in time Old Impa would still have the bracelet from the first Zelda.
Also Old Impa or the Gods would have to use their powers to recreate the events of Skyward Sword in the Cursed Cycle Timeline just to make sure the 2 timelines could co-exist with each other or there would be continuity problems. But don't forget that third timeline could exist if Young Impa woke the first Zelda up thus changing the past even more.
a few big pains. how do you explain the castle town ruins and the existance of Ganon?
Right? if Demise was killed, it wouldn't be the Calamity Ganon, would it?
Then why is it called calamity Ganon? Ganon is the demon form of Ganondorf, who does not appear in the series until OoT. There is no reason the people of hyrule would know the beast as Calamity Ganon if it did not take place after Ganondorf had appeared, transformed into ganon, and been sealed.
I’m watching this again in late 2018, and still this theory has high probability. The only problem is that in BOTW, Impa refers to Calamity Ganon appearing over and over again with previous Hyrule history such as Ruto awakening as a sage, along with Anomua saying the game takes place after OOT. However, this can still work because there just needs to be more games and more pre-established lore before BOTW in this “Another Era” timeline. This probably will be the case.
The end was so lockstin XD
game awards hype
I can't wait for Thursday's Game Awards.
I love HMK. He hypes Zelda like no other public figure. He also seems to be very intelligent and presents his thoughts cohesively and fluidly
Roy Elibe agreed
THANK YOU! No one EVER seems to acknowledge the obvious timeline split that happened way back in Skyward Sword. All they care about is Ocarina and it's timeline shenanigans, while ignoring the other game that has timeline shenanigans. Whenever you mess with time, there will ALWAYS be multiple timelines born. That's why I've always believed BotW to have taken place AFTER Skyward Sword, even if the creators say it happened after Ocarina. But who's to say the events and further timeline splits didn't also happen in the alternate timeline made in Skyward Sword? If themes, enemies, races and people can occur in multiple timelines, then why not events as well? Hell, it might even be like pokemon where remakes are actually the same events happening in a different timeline/parallel universe?
Their's a few problem with your theory:
-The Master Sword isn't existent in this Timeline. It's still the Goddess Sword and would have no reason to be forged.
-The Master Sword was placed in the pedestal in the past and remained their when Link came back in the future. If a Timeline split occurred that would be impossible. If it were a split Timeline the sword would have stayed their and Link wouldn't be able to see it in the normal future.
-Their would be no reason to build the Temple of Time.
-Demised cursed Future Link and Zelda. How would he curse a non existing Link and Zelda plus and alternate Timeline counterpart.
-With Demise gone how/why would Alternate Timeline Zelda and Link "awaken" to fulfill their duties? The Royal Family or then knowledge of Link being a Hero would not exist.
The main argument against this theory and timeline placement after Skyward sword is a line from the trailer: "The history of the royal family of Hyrule is also the history of the Calamity Ganon". With that, they have to be referencing Ganon’s appearance in previous games.
inb4 Gnoggin's "End of Pokemon Theory" rehash
youve definatly earned another sub i love this kinda videos, zelda brings back so many memories of my childhood and im so hype for the breath of the wild
I hope that People and Creatures from other timelines find a way to Enter this new Timeline that would be so cool that would connect this timeline to the others.
I thought of this too! As soon as you time travel, in theory, it splits the timeline again! Which, to me, is awesome! Maybe...
:Long Slow Blink: Personally, I've been waiting for an uncorrupted Ganondorf to face down a sealed Ganon from a previous cycle. But hay, I'm down with a timeline where the cycle has been broken completely. Lets see how this goes.
goddamn best BOTW thoery ive seen also zeldamaster and HMK collab HYPE
This actually makes a lot of sense! This explains all that I was thinking! Thanks for all your work!!!!!!
I really like this theory, makes the most sense out of all the other theories I've come across so far.
But one thing, is that Aonuma said : "When I look at this [Twilight Princess] remake, I feel like this is the origin point of the new title we're making right now. After playing [Twilight Princess] you may have some "Oh I see!" moments when playing the new [Wii U] game, so I'll be glad if you play 'Twilight Princess HD' while waiting in anticipation for the latest title of 'Legend of Zelda'."
Which seems to point to it being a TP sequel or prequel, instead of a brand new split.
That has been what I have been saying. In order to start a new, the existing story must first end.
The end of the cycle theory is the most interesting theory that you've proposed so far. However I don't think they will do another timeline split.
The only reason the current timeline split actually exists is because Nintendo had to force all of the games into some kind of timeline form. I'm 99% sure that they didn't have a 3 way multiverse time split in mind from the very beginning, it is probably just what they came up with to explain everything. I also don't think they will do it again on purpose.
Back to the end of the cycle theory - for me personally, if such an event were to take place, I would want it at the end of the timeline we already have. At the end of a particular branch, or connecting all three.
Possibility 1: Place the game at the end of one of the 3 branches. Link and Zelda end the cycle. Then the following games in that branch create a more open Zelda series where there can be more villain/catastrophe possibilities than just Ganon/Demise. This leaves the other 2 branches to still have the cycle.
Possibility 2 (a possible result of possibility 1): The end of the cycle and final destruction of Demise creates a new world. Ending the 3 time branches, and creating a unified timeline of peace (probably momentary). Perhaps without the evil created by demise, time can correct itself and no longer needs to be fractured.
I don't like most of the unified timeline theories I've heard, but this one isn't so bad?
Just ideas, constructive replies only please :)
I like that unified timeline theory of yours. Makes me think that it would be a dragon break if so.
i have to say that Theory is good but it still doesnt convince me
just a quick reminder: remember the Scene where the rusted maser sword was there in the Woods with those two flowers in the Background hinting at the downfall timeline? i dont thinknintendo did this just out of fun
in skyward sword you put the mastersword back to where it belongs and in all the other timelines you do too except for the downfall timeline.
also whoevers voice that is it says that link will shine upon hyrule once again staitng that he obviously already saved hyrule once
id say it is defenetly in the downfall timeline
Edit: also if you think about the theory that castle town from oot is located right on the great Plateau but totally in ruins it also lines up with this Theory because castle town only got rekt this hard in the downfall and in the adult timeline last of wich we can definitely disconfirm
three flowers
Kenneth Irgendwas Also Ganon only appears in OOT which is centuries or even millenia away from SS, and the monks somehow refer to him by NAME. that's a very big kicker for me, and it kind of annoyed me when hmk said something along the lines of 'this theory adds up with all the facts (lists facts) and ganon' basically he refered to ganon whilst speaking about the theory's legitimacy.
also the castle town lines up PERFECTLY with the one in BOTW, which is pretty much impossible to replicate centuries after the split in both the main timeline and split one.
I'm just wait a couple of weeks or months after the game releases and find an article where they interview miyamoto about the game and they ask him about the timeline placement, and what comes out his mouth will either debunk or prove this theory. simple. we just need miyamoto to agree to give an actual timeline placement.
zues121510 but just waiting is boring :3
Kenneth Irgendwas At keast you get to hear the answer from God himself.
Sheev Palpatine i actually dont think that link beeing right handed is such a big deal
But as you see all these theories have their flaws :)
I feel like this could be before Skyward Sword because if you read the manga, there are a lot of pointers that relate to the trailer (BoTW).
plus if you didn't know this, link was already existing before skyward sword.
This is the most attractive theory I've seen. It's too bad that it can't work because the champions/in game historical record reference Ocarina of Time's events.
I kind of hate that because neither the child or adult timeline are possible (it can't be the child timeline because Ruto is remembered as a sage who fought alongside the Hero, which is one of the few events we can be completely sure didn't happen in the child timeline, and it can't be the adult timeline because Hyrule was flooded, destroyed and totally forgotten). The downfall timeline is kind of boring, and the religion aspect is problematic.
I really wish it were a timeline split after Skyward Sword because it works as far as the mysterious ancient Lanayru tech and Hylia worship are concerned and it's far more interesting.
>Still want a game focusing on Fierce Deity and Majora. Hey, maybe we'll see something in BOTW as a side quest or something?
Emerald Stag I doubt we will ever see a new installment based on Majora's Mask or OOT. It would be cool though.
I think the end of the cycle is referencing the cycle of Demise's curse. The end of his hate, the end of the reincarnations.
I do not know what to piece out of that...
It probably is
Only problem is, every single Zelda game, except SS, takes place in a different timeline. It was in the past Demise cast his curse, not the present.
Roderic Kingfield But since the Master Sword absorbed Demise's ashes, the curse still remains forever and ever. idk. Zelda is supposed to be all fantasy, and it's not meant to be logical. Also, isn't SS part of the unified timeline?
I thought of a theory that link can travel between all three timelines, and there are items and NPC of alle of them because they touch each other, so they kinda fuse
Oh you mean the timelines at the end, I thought it would be weird if Link fused with everyone. Lol
Cho Tengen Toppa Nep Nep Yeah, I did. That'd be very weird!
uhhh End of the cycle?! That sounds amazing :D
What If BotW is not in the timeline at all but kinda like a reboot?
I mean the timeline wasn't very logical from the beginning because it wasn't planned from the beginning.
But by creating a new timeline all together Nintendo could make a perfect timeline with NO logic issues at all for all future Zelda Games.
I would welcome if they do that. Then we'd heve a timeline that isn't just sewn together as good as possible...
WOOOAH THE END OF THE CYCLE?!! I CANT WAIT FOR THIS COLAB!!!
the cycle cant end though, id welcome offshoots like the oracle games but having link face off against world ending threats is something i love to see
OMG I just had a gigantic revelation about the timeline.
Here are the events as I see them.
Skyward Sword Link goes back and kills Demise, making a new timeline.
The Hylians leave skyloft and continue to build on the surface, spreading the worship of Hylia. (Hence the abundance of Hylia statues both in every major settlement and some scattered through the wilds)
Some time passes, but the Minish Cap never happens, hence there not being any sort of loot in tall grass from the Picori.
The Rito evolve from the Loftwings (they do look drastically different from the zora-rito in ww)
Events similar to Ocarina of time Happen, Then Majora's Mask, Then Twilight Princess, and people think Ganon is gone for good.
Then some one tries to revive him like in Four Swords, but with out the Four Sword and Vaati.
Realizing that the threat of Ganon isn't actually gone, the Sheika come out of hiding and construct the Guardians and Divine Beasts.
The original attack of Calamity Ganon happens, and using the Guardians and Divine Beasts, they seal Ganon away for 10,000 years.
Then the Guardians and Divine beasts are lost over time, and buried by nature.
Roughly 9,980 years pass and our generation of heroes are born. (Link, Zelda, Ravali, Daruk, Mifa, and Urbosa) And King Rhoam heads a prophecy and begins excavation over mass areas searching for the guardians and divine beasts.
When Zelda turns 17 and visits the shrine of wisdom on mount Lanayru, Calamity Ganon finally returns and corrupts the Guardians and Divine beasts.
Link is fatally wounded and taken to the shrine of resurection, 100 years later link wakes up and Breath Of The Wild begins.
What really ties this whole theory together for me (aside from the blatant resurgence of Hylia worship) is the world map itself.
All of the key locations are completely moved around compared to other games.
The Kokiri forest and the great Deku tree are in the north, where as before he was always somewhere in the south east.
Death mountain and Kakoriko village have always been a stones through away from each other, except in BotW, where death mountain is far to the north, and Kakoriko village is far to the south, even being so far apart that Zora's domain is between them.
Plus, as I mentioned before the 3 Spirit Springs can be found in BotW, the 3 spirit springs you found in Skyward Sword.
end of the cycle he says well that sure would be interesting.
Random thought: Maybe the mysterious voice Link hears is Impa. It would still make sense for the slowed down version of Zelda's Lullaby to play in the background...
I think it's safe to say a lot of people have started to get to a similar solution. Myself included. But damn, HMK took the theory head on and slammed some truth and shit on it. Way to go. Nice elaborating and everything. Great theory.
This is spot on. I can't see it going into any other direction
thisis just a theory but:
in the imprisoning war the seven wise MEN which the old man could possibly be one of, sealed ganon in the dark world (which, in theory, could've been considered hyrule) so they can give the hero enough time to claim the master sword so they can prevent ganon from grabbing the triforce.and he probably grabs it before being sealed ( which is why you hear zelda in hyrule castle) which turns him into the calamity ganon. he also could have damaged the master sword during the war and your mission is to fix the master sword so you can defeat ganon. (endgame theory)but since he gained so much power, even the master sword couldnt defeat him completely, thus the entire fallen hero timeline. i sense a bad ending in the game.
This makes sense. I've been wondering about the possible timeline split caused by the time travel in Skyward Sword myself. Nintendo _would_ get free hands to do virtually anything since the split happens before all of the other games... neat.
What if it does take place in an alternate timeline that is formed after the events of Skyward Sword just like you said, but instead of the game itself taking place after Skyward Sword, it takes place later down the line, like after the events of Twilight Princess and Wind Waker, but IN this alternative timeline.
in this alternative timeline, the people never forgot about hylea, and the shiekah did become protectors of the land, so much so, that link was basically placed in a sort of cryo-chamber to only be resurrected when all else fails, thus explaining why the chamber itself is hidden away and not even that noticeable compared to other shiekah constructs, and why the Old Man says that the Shiekah have protected them for a long time. This in turn makes a really good placement for not only being the end of the Legend of Zelda timeline, but the Alternative timeline instead, also leaving place for an entire series of games all pertaining to this other timeline. and who knows, games like A Link Between Worlds could potentially be from this other timeline taking place at exactly the right time as A Link To The Past, making the history portraits within the castle, not a reference to ALTTP but to The events after Skyward Sword such as the part when it says "The Sacred Realm is Sealed", another supporting fact for all this is that ALBW is not a sequel to ALTTP but a spiritual sequel, meaning its not directly canon, that and the fact that Wolf Link in BOTW actually has some ties to the story in BOTW, as in a actual reason why hes there, not just an amiibo cameo, which is stated by a person at nintendo (can't remember who).
If what I'm saying is true, we could be seeing an entire new series of LOZ made to explain BOTW, which follows along the theme of why link is doing what he does in BOTW, to find out what happened to Hyrule and himself. I would very much like to continue this in an actual conversation, and I'm ok with speaking about this in a video if you'd like.
Anyways, love your channel, and your content, keep doing what you do, and have a great day!
This is a good theory. I still think it fits the premade timeline still. I like the idea that it unifies all of the timelines together
Love this! Awesome theory and great cliffhanger!!
That last part gave me some massive Gnoggin vibes on his Pokemon: The End series
I think you're pretty on point with this. I think Nintendo is done with current Zelda timelines and by splitting off of Skyward Sword they can technically start from scratch on a completely new timeline.
I think that it might take place before Minish Cap. Here's the explaination:
After Skyward Sword and the Foundation of Skyward Sword, the hero's descendant, the Hero of Men, was tasked with ridding all monsters from the once prosperous Hyrule. This is why it looks so destroyed, and it can be seen in Minish Cap as the Hylians are still building up the kingdom, with not many villages. The hero must explore the ruined kingdom and seal away the monsters using the Picori Blade. But there are a few things that seem out of place in this theory, like why are there Koroks? They are simply the spirits of the forest, and changed to fit the form of Link in Ocarina of Time before reverting back to old ways in the Wind Waker. What about the Sheikah and goddess statues? The Sheikah are the protectors of the royal family of Hyrule, so when the monsters break out for the first time, you'd imagine that they would come to the rescue of the kingdom, but they have clearly failed. The goddess statues can be easily explained as this theory sees the game taking place before the Hylians had forgotten of her. But then, why is there the Master sword if this is about the story of the Four Sword/Picori Blade? That can be explained simply, as the Master Sword is old and damaged until placed back into the temple of time, so Link would be forced to find a new sword. What about the bird people? They might be evolutionary descendants of the Loftwings. Finally, the Calamity Ganon. The calamity Ganon could be the first reincarnation of Demise, and the source of the evil in Hyrule before Vaati steals his thunder for being evil in Minish Cap.
i would have theorized that the timelines finally merged together in this game which is why all the elements are in this game. at least based on the information from this video. kinda makes sense to get rid of the confusion.
Ohhhhh i like this theory a lot better than the three time lines combining like the skyrim timeline
I have a theory
Breath of the wild takes place in an alternative timeline where link in SS is defeated by demise, and demise gains full power, then impa and the others have to seal him again.100 years later, link is resurrected and sees that demise has became an unstoppable force of nature, the calamity Ganon. Link has to defeat demise once and for all and save the new hyrule. This would explain why link had the sail cloth early in development. It would also explain why the calamity Ganon is black and red in color, he is demise, demise is black and red In color. This is what I think about the placement in the timeline.
Kass mention that the music he plays in the stables (Epona's song) used an ancient hero to call his horse so breath of the wide must happen after ocarina of time
I actually thought of a 4th timeline at the end of the civilian war, if the Sheikah won the war, but your theory makes more sense than mine ^^
What if there was a timeline split from the downfall timeline as a second alternate version of the Hero of Legend's adventures? Or mabye a alternate timeline split from Skyward Sword to Breath of the Wild?
Man I love that Lost Woods tune.
I like how the all seeing eye third eye chakra used for the symbol of the sheikh tribe
That made so much since,
Link and the master sword died because it was not forged by the powers of the guys in skyward sword, so when link fought climaty ganon he died and the sword was broken, so then he was put into the resurrection chamber.
With a timesplit after Skyward sword, we could have two Masterswords. One from the future and another in the Skyloft in form of the Goddess Sword. That could be the reasen why the Masterswords roasts.
It's as good a theory as anything else floating about right now.
hmk... no.... YOU CANT END A VIDEO LIKE THIS NOW IMMA GET 2 AT MY MATHS TEST TOMORROW BECAUSE I WILL BE THINKING OF BREATH OF THE WILD (for dumb people this is a jk wish me luck for my test)
Will TheTeenTuber they are gonna show new Zelda info on Thursday tho
now that i have done the test i am hella hyped
I really want to know how you did on that test
dont know yet
It could just be the consequences of a self-correcting time stream, but I wonder if the reason there are so many timeline splits is because the Sheikah shouldn't have been messing with the time shift stones in the first place. In most, the Sheikah (the cause for the chaos caused by messing about with Timeshift, which is why they're usually in the role of "protecting the Hylians"). Time streams where a princess named Zelda is kidnapped by a great force of evil unleashed by the curse of Demise correct/stabilize better than others. Goddesses being, well, gods, aren't likely to be subject to the limitations of time and just kept throwing solutions to stitch the time streams back together to keep the races they created from dying out altogether. Mostly Hylia, who seems like a junior goddess and more invested in the day to day goings on, just keeps throwing things at the timelines like "let's give them wings so they will survive better", "here, maybe this sword will help" like a deranged kid who can't handle getting the "bad ending" in a Choose your own Adventure book. Every once in awhile the other three show their influence via spirits and magic, but they're more like the older kids indulging a younger sibling, and all 4 of them are getting tired of the game so the land is just going more and more to shit. And in the meantime the stupid mortals just keep making the time splits more and more insane and unmanageable by mucking about with technology they are too dense to understand. Basically, Hyrule and its alternate timelines are the product of a game of poor crisis management in the hands of an inexperienced goddess and her clueless interns.
That could explain why the Master Sword is in ruin. Perhaps Demise had more power somehow in this timeline and escaped the sword but not unscathed. That's why he's a black cloud, because his mind and body were destroyed.
So the Calamity Ganon is another "divine prank"?
If you're going to have a timeline split in Skyward Sword, it will kind of negate Demise' curse in the one where Demise was destroyed by the Triforce...
How about this one: Fourth ocarina of time timeline, link woke up 200 years later instead of 7 years later. Would explain why all three timeline elements and ocarina of time elements are present, and why Ganon would be present
I also came up with a theory that adds to this!
I had a feeling it was connected to Skyward Sword.
Ok so, you know how in Skyward Sword, you pretty much invented the Master Sword? Well in Breath of the Wild, the sword is all rusted.
So what if a part of the game involves you having to give the Master Sword another upgrade which then makes it the like eternally untouched blade?
I fucking love these videos.
I like this idea. It's interesting. I can't wait to actually play the game and see what happens for myself.
seems very legit, i haf already thougth about this theory but i never imagined that sheikah would have protected hyrule with technology and wouldn't have relied on divine or heroic help (and it makes sense) this is also an realistic explanations of the rusted master sword because it would mean that it was seen by sheikas as a useless relic from the past less efficient than technology
FUCKING FINALLY!! SOMEONE THAT IS SMART!! I thought about a new timeline a few months ago, but i forgot all about it, glad you brought it up again, i agree with you man, i think breath of the wild is definetly a brand new timeline!
Link: HYA HYA HYA HYA HYA HYA HYAA HYAA HYA HYA HYA HAAA!
Translate: Oh great. First the princess makes the title "The Legend of Zelda" even though I do all the shit and thanks to her I'm getting mistaken for Zelda still for 20 fking years and now the Sheikahs are claiming credits that they saved Hyrule?! Fk this! Next thing I know, The cuccos are the hero of legend
Love this theory. As always, love your work and appreciate you sharing it with us. One question though.. What if the old man is GANON?
I remain unconvinced. You really don't see the Kokiri in Twilight Princess, and I think their transformation had more to do with the new Deku Tree than them actually moving to the Great Sea, just the timing worked out to appear that way. Also, Nintendo has been really pointing to Twilight Princess HD for things in Breath of the Wild, even letting us have a Wolf Link companion. Seems kind of odd that they would have Wolf Link be a thing, shackles and all, unless Twilight Princess was an actual thing that happened in it's timeline. I don't know why all these references to Hylia only now appeared around the land, I think we just have to accept that it was a concept they haven't thought of at the time and it got Retconned in.
That thumbnail is super cool.
The end of the cycle.
Ok sorry, that gave me chills!
Ive been saying similar things for a while now i call it the reunification timeline theory where all of the timelines come together in a new timeline
Haha sweet I didn't know you knew zeldamaster
Zachary Erickson He Did make a video with him at one point
Gavin Simmons They are both part of the Chamber of Sages channel.
Ive came to the conclusion that all RUclipsrs know all RUclipsrs.
Well thank you guys for telling me all that
Interesting and well thought out theory. But if we're talking a new timeline, why not also have it branch from OoT like the others (for simplicity)? This could easily be a new timeline in which Zelda did NOT send Link back at the end of OoT so when Ganondorf got unsealed, the Hero of Time would still be there to save them.
I really hope this doesn't turn into something like Gnoggins Pokemon reboot theory. Love your vids btw :p
So from what i gathered. The Sheikah took the place of Link in saving the world through the different attacks from Ganon. "But wait how would there be Ganon if this is another timeline." Well even though a different timeline causes different events to take place doesn't mean the same people can't be born. Also, most likely the goddesses had to have chosen those to covet the three Triforces, and this version of Ganon could still have become evil due to desire and upbringing in the desert. Also Demise's Curse (due to him being god like) could span over dimensions. Even if it does not, Ganon could use his part of the Triforce to gain so much of his power even to the point it rips him apart and becomes Calamity Ganon! Bum bum buuuuuuum.
So back to the Sheikah. In this New Timeline, I wager it follows the original downfall timeline events, but instead of Link saving the day, it's the Sheikah with their tech.and in Breath of the Wild we are in the same time as the ending of the downfall timeline, but in an alternate dimension. So I'm saying that the events which created the land of OoT still occurred to produce the similar buildings and surroundings, but because the hero of time wasn't needed they placed a Hylia Statue in the temple of time instead of the Master Sword. Now I say the downfall timeline because there was no Real Defeat of Ganon, because the sages weren't needed due to the Sheikah which still allows corruption in the kingdom after they expanded and gave Ganon an in to control the guardians or what have you.
This is great because in a way this can merge some of the games together (As HMK stated) so you will see bits and pieces from multiple games.
I know there are holes in this but my brain is melting and coming out of my ears.
My third theory is that the world thought that Gannon could only ressurect with Link and Zelda so they tried a loophole stick link into stasis. hopeing that ganon could not be revived because link did not die. but they were wrong. they didnt bother makein a memory bank for him because they did not expect 2 need him
Interesting, but then another problem comes up. This Link was put into hibernation 100 years prior. If it takes place in the timeline that Skyward Sword Link left after beating Demise, there wouldn't be a Link anywhere to be put into hibernation.
I can support this. I even feel stupid for not thinking of it myself. Of course, the vanquishing of Demise is going to have such effects. It's so obvious when we just take a look at OoT. Which is to say: Why only one additional timeline?
We have one where the Skyloftians come down in the past after Demise is killed and the Curse (which is Ganon) is uttered. Leading to many advancements and everything else with a collapse the very moment the Curse of Demise strikes with its full force.
We have another, which is the main timeline, in which the Goddess Statue and the Triforce come down and the Surface is settled from there. Leading to the Era of Prosperity and the Sealing of the Triforce in the Sacred Realm behind the Temple of Time.
It stands to argue that these two might converge, but seeing the difference in timing, this seems silly.
And a third should we fail in the final fight. This timeline might be shortlived, but Demise might have a thing for ruling the people of the world with an iron fist, leaving open the possibility of a resistence. The failing point is also very important, as we wouldn't have a complete Master Sword otherwise.
Of these three, the first, that was also proposed by you, is the most likely for Breath of the WIld. But the third one is Downfall Timeline Alpha in a way, so there are also many possibilities to re-iterate on that. After yet a new war against Demise. Which will continue to split timelines... Over and over again... Damn that cycle... I really like your thinking at the end, cause it mirrored my own. And reminded me of a certain huge Pokemon theory... Will be excited for yours^^
HMK you are so underrated
I like it a lot. Only thing I always go back to though is how aonuma or whoever said that the game will be heavily connected to TP. Wonder how in this instance. Maybe the sheikah monks were the twili to be in the main timeline? Just spit balling here, call me andre haha
Well maybe Ganondorfs death had more far reaching consequences then we could of imagined, and his words at the end of the game cast a further curse on Hyrule which took form eventually as Calamity Ganon? I dunno, don't take my simple theory too seriously. Lol
Oh yeah and the Hyrule castle of Breath of the Wild and Twlight Princess look remarkably close to being identical.
This seems most plausible but what if the game fits to more than one timeline depending how and which way you play the story
I personally think (and hope) Nintendo will try to explain the existence of the downfall timeline and that whole "The hero is not successfull" thing. I believe BoT could be set at the first spot of the downfall timeline to try to do that via timetravel. As the company is willing to shake up its formula with Zelda I think they will try to implement a more complex storyline besides their focus on gameplay and see how it works out with consumers.
In this world, in this era.... it makes sense now...
They don't base the games on the timeline, it's the contrary. Do you think the lead devs say to make sure the new game doesn't conflict with the current confirmed timeline? Nah man...
Yes, now I think they do. I don't think they used to, but after Ocarina and especially after Skyward Sword, they solidified the timeline. They certainly make the game engine and mechanics first, but then they take the timeline into account when creating the story. But this theory, as someone else said in the comments, allows for the series to get a "reboot" while still technically fitting in the same timeline.
or maybe this is a remake of the first zelda? and maybe the old man is the guy from the first zelda that gave link the sword? I've been playing the game since 86 and been hooked ever since love this stuff. great Channel by the way
hes gonna be soooo pumped when he is right
i feel that breath of the wild takes place in between minish cap and four swords or after skyward sword during the era of chaos period as a failed timeline since the structure of the temple of time and the environment around it would end up changing to be like that in ocarina of time but didn't get to be redesigned since the calamity happened before there was a new generation to continue on into ocarina of time.
was that ending a gnoggin pokemon reset theory reference? it felt like it was