Summary
- A mainline Zelda multiverse game could be a love letter to fans by uniting various versions of Link, Zelda, and characters
- The series has flirted with a multiverse concept but hasn’t fully embraced it, leading to a messy timeline
- Embracing the multiverse could reinvent gameplay, create innovative mechanics, and strengthen the series’ storytelling strengths.
For decades, The Legend of Zelda timeline has constructed its entire narrative on the foundation of one of the messiest and most intriguing concepts in all of gaming: its broken yet interconnected timeline, where different incarnations of Link, Zelda, and Ganon are all brought to life across parallel histories. Since the release of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Nintendo has consistently provided fans with the truth regarding each game’s placement in the official timeline, making it a bit easier for players to follow. However, the timeline is ultimately the mess that it is due to The Legend of Zelda‘s persistent willingness to flirt with the idea of a multiverse without fully committing to it.
To this day, it is only assumed that each iteration of Hyrule and its inhabitants in The Legend of Zelda are held together by a much larger multiverse, as the mainline series outright refuses to embrace the idea. Hyrule Warriors is the only game in the series to openly suggest the presence of a multiverse, but it is a spin-off in the series and therefore holds little credibility in comparison to what a mainline entry could certify. With all of this considered, it’s safe to say that it’s high-time for a mainline Zelda multiverse game, as it would not only be the ultimate love letter to fans and confirm their theories, but it would also be a chance for the series to reinvent itself from a gameplay standpoint.
Related
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What Zelda Could Do With a Mainline Multiverse Game
A Zelda Multiverse Game Would Be the Ultimate Love Letter to Fans
It goes without saying that a mainline Legend of Zelda multiverse game would be the ultimate love letter to fans. A game like this would potentially appeal to both veterans and newcomers alike, effectively bridging the gap between what was and what is by bringing together every version of Link, Zelda, and other major franchise characters for one of the most climactic and explosive narratives in the series’ history. It would be a great way to introduce Zelda newcomers who might have hopped on board during the franchise’s Breath of the Wild era a firsthand glimpse into the series’ past, all while honoring those who have remained committed to The Legend of Zelda since it began nearly four decades ago.
The timeline is ultimately the mess that it is due to The Legend of Zelda‘s persistent willingness to flirt with the idea of a multiverse without fully committing to it.
A great way to bring all of these different iterations together would be to utilize The Legend of Zelda‘s different art styles. This would help distinguish between the Zelda “universes” that fans have come to know and love, all while adding a healthy dose of nostalgic flair to the overall experience. The thought of Toon Link from Zelda: The Wind Waker coming into direct contact with Twilight Princess‘ more mature and seasoned Link is an exhilarating one, without a doubt, and it’s moments like these that wouldn’t have to work hard to force a smile on players’ faces.
The Zelda Franchise Could Reinvent Gameplay With a Mainline Multiverse Game
A mainline Zelda multiverse game would also be a great excuse for the series to reinvent its gameplay. A multiversal Zelda game could therefore unify the franchise’s long history while allowing for unprecedented creativity in world design, mechanics, and character dynamics. Things like reality-shifting mechanics, a branching narrative with multiple outcomes, and giving players the ability to swap between different versions of Link in order to change their playstyle would all be a great way for The Legend of Zelda to express itself in a way it has never had the proper excuse for.
By finally embracing the multiverse concept that has lingered in the background for decades, The Legend of Zelda could transform what is currently seen as a convoluted timeline into one of its greatest storytelling strengths. A game like this would allow for unparalleled innovation in gameplay, a thrilling convergence of past and present, and a love letter to every era of Zelda that has shaped the series into what it is today. With modern gaming increasingly leaning into expansive, interconnected worlds, there is arguably no better time for a mainline Zelda multiverse game than now.
- Released
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September 26, 2024
- ESRB
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E10+ For Everyone 10+
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo