After the latest trailer for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment teased a new yet potentially familiar character, an argument could now be made for Nintendo to change its mind on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's lack of DLC. Like most spin-off games, Hyrule Warriors appeared to have been separate from the mainline Zelda series, such as when Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity featured non-canonical characters and an all-new ending despite being Zelda: Breath of the Wild's supposed prequel. However, after Nintendo claimed that Age of Imprisonment would be a canon prequel to Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, this may no longer be the case.

With Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment set during Hyrule's ancient history, as seen in Tears of the Kingdom, one of the biggest challenges that this confirmed canonical sequel seemed to face was the absence of Zelda's iconic protagonist. But thanks to the newest trailer from 2025's Nintendo Direct Partner showcase, Age of Imprisonment may have revealed plans for Link's return without breaking Tears of the Kingdom's canon. Yet the benefits of Age of Imprisonment's prospective workaround could go both ways, as Link's return could help salvage and inspire Tears of the Kingdom's untapped DLC potential.

Legend of Zelda Hyrule Warriors
After Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, the Sub-Series Should Return to its Roots

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment looks interesting, but it should return to its original vision sooner rather than later.

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Hyrule Warriors

While Age of Imprisonment could have joined a trend of Link-lite Zelda games alongside Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, the final moments of its latest trailer might suggest otherwise after teasing a mysterious humanoid Zonai Construct. Though this new character's identity hasn't been confirmed, there are already theories linking the Construct to Fi and the decayed Master Sword or even Tears of the Kingdom's mythical "Ancient Hero."

However, despite the chance to subvert expectations, Age of Imprisonment's new Zonai Construct will more likely connect to Link while preserving Tears of the Kingdom's canon, with the list below outlining several ways this could be achieved.

  • Link's spirit pilots the Construct.
  • A spirit-like clone of Link pilots the Construct.
  • Link's mind is projected back through time.
  • The Master Sword summons a memory of Link.
Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment Zonai Construct

Provided that the connection between Tears of the Kingdom's present-day Link and Age of Imprisonment's past Construct is direct, then this newfound loophole could prompt Nintendo to reconsider the former's DLC potential. Despite Breath of the Wild's Expansion Pass proving successful, particularly The Champions' Ballad DLC, Nintendo's claims that there were no similar plans for Tears of the Kingdom seemed shortsighted. But while the reasoning behind this decision may have been justified at the time, Nintendo may now have the opportunity to give Tears of the Kingdom definitive closure through Age of Imprisonment-inspired DLC.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Reopens The Door For Zelda: TOTK DLC

Having initially started development as potential DLC before being reworked into Breath of the Wild's direct sequel, the news that Tears of the Kingdom wouldn't receive any DLC was disappointing but ultimately understandable. However, while Nintendo may have felt that it had done all that it could with Tears of the Kingdom, Age of Imprisonment's introduction of a Link-Construct could expand the former's story in new, never-before-seen ways. Just as Age of Imprisonment will provide important depth to Princess Zelda's time in the past, so too could Tears of the Kingdom do the same for Link in the present via DLC.

loz totk construct factory

For example, Tears of the Kingdom's Spirit Temple could serve as a starting point for Age of Imprisonment-centric DLC, as it balances player progression midway through the game while also capitalizing on the overlap between the Construct Factory and a potential Link-Construct. From here, the DLC's main quest could follow Link's discovery and repair of ancient Zonai technology that can connect with Age of Imprisonment's Construct. By taking Age of Imprisonment's story as its lead, Tears of the Kingdom wouldn't even need to stray far from Breath of the Wild's DLC approach while offering a wealth of new content, such as the list below.

  • Expanded sky islands and the Depths.
  • New shrines and dungeons.
  • New or improved Ultrahand abilities.
  • New Zonai devices.
  • Improved Sage abilities.
  • Additional Switch 2 Voice Memories.
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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
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Adventure
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Open-World
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Top Critic Avg: 95 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
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Released
May 12, 2023
ESRB
Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
Developer(s)
Nintendo
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
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