More than a year has passed since Nintendo officially announced the sequel toThe Legend of Zelda:Breath of the Wild. As exciting as the announcement was, it’s just about all that fans have to go off of so far. A great deal of basic questions about the game go unanswered for now. Perhaps most important of all, fans have wondered howBotW 2will use the original mapfrom the first game in the sequel and how much will be reformed.
The tone of the trailer suggests that Nintendo plans on writing a very new story exploring the darkness in Hyrule’s past. If that’s the case, Nintendo might make some significant changes to Hyrule and the Master Sword to call on both the setting and the series' history – and for an unexpected reason. There’s a key theory aboutBreath of the Wild 2has been making rounds for some time now in support of this.
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Ocarina of Time and Time Travel
After Nintendo released the trailer, the idea thatBreath of the Wild 2would have time travel, and there’s some evidence of this. Keen-eyed viewers may have noticed that the landscape shot of Hyrule included in the trailer was missing some significant details, like the Sheikah Shrines and Towers that defined the horizon in the first game. Hyrule Castle also seems to be in better condition than inBreath of the Wild,and these curious changes might be explained by a journey through time.
Any seasonedLegend of Zeldaplayer knows that the series is no stranger to time travel. It has appeared as a mechanic in several games, whether through the Timeshift Stones inThe Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword,or more famously, through the Ocarina of Time. The Ocarina appeared in two games and gave Link the power to manipulate time with just a few notes, which allowed the designers to introduce a plethora of mechanics focused on changes in the map in different periods of time. Keeping the old map would make sense if the designers intend to make a variant in a different time period instead of a wholly new world.
Of course, the question then becomes how exactly Link – and presumably Zelda, since the trailer suggests she will be at Link’s side in the next game – gain the power to move from one period to another. Some might think that the Ocarina itself will reemerge, but considering thatBreath of the Wildtakes place many thousands of years after the previous games, it seems unlikely. The Ocarina’s appearance would be miraculous at best and forced at worst. Still, Link will need some reliable tool of extraordinary power to shift through time. Enter theMaster Sword.
Breath of the Wild 2 and the Master Sword
The curious thing about Link’s iconic weapon in the originalBreath of the Wildis that, although it makes an appearance in a plot point, the weapon itself is not a part of the plot. One can complete the game without ever acquiring it. However, Nintendo later reestablished its importance through a DLC that may point towards the sword’s future. The Trials of the Sword DLC revolved around completing several challenges in order to strengthen the Master Sword’s power, and at the end,Link is met with a group of monksthat seem to reference the Seven Sages from Ocarina of Time.
Firstly, the DLC suggests that Nintendo is aware of the Master Sword’s relatively trivial part inBreath of the Wild,and wants to change that. Nintendo also showed an active interest in Link earning upgrades to the Master Sword, as the monks are another curious detail to put in place around the sword.Making reference toOcarina of Timealongside changes to the sword could subtly suggest that the weapon itself is going to gain powers related to time travel. Of course, that could be reading into what may be something as innocent as an Easter egg, but it’s worth considering.
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The Master Sword has possessed special powers beyond fighting before, albeit on a smaller scale. InSkyward Sword,it could be used to interact with hidden walls throughout the world to get Link hearts and fairies in a pinch. Perhaps the sword will have a wholly new roster of abilities inBreath of the Wild2,this timeinspired byOcarina of Time.
It could be designed rather like the Ocarina or the Wind Waker as a tool to perform a number of arcane gestures or rituals as a means to use magic. The colorful and mysterious trailer seemed to suggest that magic will play a very significant role in the sequel. If Nintendo decides not to create a new tool to help Link and Zelda use magic, few established artifacts inBreath of theWild’sHyrule would be as appropriate as the Master Sword.
A return to a more traditional magic system would probably excite veteranZeldafans. The technologically advanced Sheikah Slate and its powers obtained through Runes are the closest Link gets to using magic inBreath of the Wild,alongside the gifts bestowed by the Champions.Perhaps a system of Runes will be incorporated in the sequel too, this time as the method of installing abilities into the Master Sword to improve and broaden its capabilities. Alternatively, there may be moresecrets buried under Hyrulethan the presumed corpse of Ganondorf that Link will need to unearth if he hopes to save Hyrule from the King of Darkness a second time.
Link may be in desperate need of a more powerful Master Sword to fight through a darker journey. The trailer suggests a grim tone will defineBreath of the Wild 2with a new story of mystery and sinister magic.What Ganon’s true role will beis unclear for now, as are so many other details about the game. It has yet to receive a release date a year after its announcement, meaning it may still need a lot more time in production before Nintendo is ready to share the details.
Still, It has made it clear that it has big plans for the follow-up to one of the most acclaimedZeldatitles of all time. Until Nintendo refutes the possibility, the Master Sword could remain the key to explaining the approach toBreath of the Wild 2’s map, as well as the details of Link and Zelda’s coming quest. Only time will tell.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2is in development.
