When the Hyrule Historia was released in December 2011, it seemed to bring with it a sense of finality for the multitude of Zelda fans who had forever wondered how the games all pieced together. It was as though each little slice of Hylian heaven, from the original Famicom/NES Legend of Zelda to the Wii’s combat-enhanced Skyward Sword, were coming together like pieces of the Triforce for everyone to behold. At last, they had their wish – to make sense of all the Links in the twenty-five year chain.
Here was a way to understand when and how Princess Zelda returned, and Ganon in his many guises; the Triforce, the Goddesses, the Sages. And how, amongst all that, there was a place for the dark days in Termina, the distant dreams of Koholint Island, and the seasonal discordance in Holodrum.
Along with the extensive timeline, there were pages upon pages of artwork from over the years, and a section of the Skyward Sword manga at the end to give the game roots. For a lot of people, this was the answer to all their brooding questions: referenced in interviews with series director Eiji Aonuma, and at the source of theorising articles about what next for The Legend of Zelda. Now, everything has its place, from traitorous wizard Agahnim to traveling sail-salesman Zunari. From Aches to Zols. From Acorns of Defence to Zora Eggs.
The only problem is… I don’t believe it. Here’s what I think.