Hyrule/Appearances by Game: Difference between revisions

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==''The Legend of Zelda''==

[[File:TLoZ Overworld.png|thumb|right|400px|The original Hyrule overworld featured in ''The Legend of Zelda'']]

Hyrule is first seen in {{TLoZ}} as the magical kingdom that serves as the setting for the adventures of a young boy named [[Link]] in his quest to save Hyrule's young princess, [[Princess Zelda|Zelda]], from the clutches of the evil sorcerer [[Ganon]].<ref>{{Cite Text Dump|TLoZ|4}}</ref> In this game, Hyrule is described as a beautiful kingdom with deep forests and tall mountains bordering a vast ocean to its southern and eastern borders. As Link explores the kingdom, he visits all the different parts of it, including the Lost Woods to the west-southwest, the [[Graveyard]] in the shadow of Death Mountain to the northwest, the coastline to the southeastern and eastern borders of the kingdom and even the strange forests in the southeastern region of the country. In this original incarnation of Hyrule, the land is shown to have many forests and lakes in addition to the mountainous terrain of Death Mountain. This would mark the gaming world's first experience in the land of Hyrule and began several long traditions that would continue to be featured in later incarnations of the kingdom and would be vastly expanded upon and improved by the game developers. {{HH}} claims that this land is not exactly Hyrule, but a place called Lesser Hyrule, which could very well be the remains of the once-great kingdom.{{fact}}

{{TWW}} features a new incarnation of Hyrule, though it is sealed away beneath the [[Great Sea]]. This is the direct result of the [[Great Flood]] that occured as a product of the [[Goddesses]] in a timeline of events that occured before {{TWW|-}}; the survivors of the flood built a new country on the surface, where the highest mountains of Hyrule became islands.<ref>{{Cite|When the gods heard our pleas, they chose to seal away not only Ganon, but Hyrule itself...and so, with a torrential downpour of rains from the heavens... Our fair kingdom was soon buried beneath the waves, forgotten at the bottom of the ocean. Yet all was not lost.[...] So, before the sealing of the kingdom, the gods chose those who would build a new country and commanded them to take refuge on the mountaintops.|Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule|TWW}}</ref> In terms of differences with other incarnations, Hyrule Castle now rests on an island in the middle of a large lake, fueled by a large river. On Hyrule's horizon, large, tall mountains exist; these help explain the existence of islands on the surface of the Great Sea. Ganon's Tower is located beyond a grand canyon leading into one of the kingdom-surrounding mountain ranges, not far from Hyrule Castle. Hyrule still retains a state of regality, despite its desertion and isolation on the seabed.

[[File:Fsa map.png|thumb|250px|right|An image of the Hyrule overworld featured in {{FSA|-}}]]

The version of Hyrule featured in {{FSA}} shares many landmarks with the version of Hyrule featured in {{ALttP}}. The [[Eastern Palace (A Link to the Past)|Eastern Palace]], [[Desert Palace (A Link to the Past)|Desert Palace]], and what is suspected to be the [[Tower of Hera (A Link to the Past)|Tower of Hera]] (the [[Tower of Flames]]) are in the same locations, as is [[Kakariko Village]]. [[Hyrule Castle]] also rests in a similar location to its {{ALttP|-}} counterpart, at the very center of the kingdom, although this incarnation of the castle more strongly resembles the one featured in {{TWW|-}}. However, some locations have shifted as well. [[Lake Hylia]] is now in the northeast, and locations not featured in {{ALttP|-}} are present, such as the [[Village of the Blue Maiden]] and [[Lon Lon Ranch]]. The southern part of the map is frozen due to [[Vaati]]'s evil magic. The [[Dark World]] is again present, both as the northwestern portion of Hyrule and the base of Ganon's power, and as an actual mirror universe. Most of the Hyrulean races that were introduced in {{OoT}} return in this game. The [[Goron]]s live on [[Death Mountain]], the [[Deku Scrub]]s live in the [[Lost Woods]], and the [[Gerudo]] live in the [[Desert of Doubt]]. A new race, the [[Zuna]], are also introduced. The Zuna are a tribe of green-skinned desert nomads who are descended from the ancient [[Pyramid]] builders.<ref>{{Cite|We of the Zuna tribe live in this village. We may not look it now, but we are descended from the wise pyramid builders!|Zuna|FSA}}</ref> Another major difference in this incarnation of Hyrule when compared to others is that a large ocean borders the entire continent upon which Hyrule rests.

[[File:800px-Hyrule (The Minish Cap).png|270px|thumb|right|An image of the Hyrule overworld as it appeared in {{TMC|-}}]]

The geography of Hyrule presented in {{TMC}} introduces new locations such as the wild marshlands of [[Castor Wilds]], the rocky [[Mount Crenel]], and the eerie [[Royal Valley]], while such common landmarks as [[Death Mountain]] and [[Kakariko Village]] are absent. [[Hyrule Field]] is divided into sectors, and locations such as [[Lon Lon Ranch]] and [[Hyrule Castle Town|Hyrule Town]] (a different incarnation of [[Hyrule Castle Town]]) serve as major populated areas. Another recurring locale is the classic home of the Royal Family, [[Hyrule Castle]], which sits to Hyrule Field's northern borders and plays a pivotal role in the progression of the game. Many areas can only be explored while Link is small, such as Melari's Mines or the Minish Village in the [[Minish Woods]]. A large part of the map is also covered in clouds and is known as the [[Cloud Tops]]. This is the home of the [[Wind Tribe]] and the location of the [[Palace of Winds]]. There is some continuity with locations from the rest of the {{FS|-}} trilogy, as this game likely shows the palace before [[Vaati]] began using it as his residence, in addition to the [[Tower of Winds]], which is revealed to have begun as the home of the Wind Tribe in this game.

[[File:Hyrule TP Map.png|thumb|200px|right|A map of Hyrule as it was featured in {{TP|-}}]]

The Hyrule appearing in {{TP}} is much larger than in previous games. The government is centralized in [[Hyrule Castle Town|Castle Town]], and [[Kakariko Village]] again appears at the base of [[Death Mountain]]. A sign at the entrance to the [[Hidden Village]] identifies it as "Old Kakariko,"<ref>{{Cite|Welcome to Old {{Typo|Kakarico|Kakariko}}|Sign in Hylian|TP}}</ref> indicating that the Kakariko Village appearing in {{TP|-}} may perhaps be the same one seen in {{OoT|-}}. [[Hyrule Field]] is larger and again divided into sectors like it was in {{TMC|-}}. The kingdom appears to have a more developed system of roads, with fortified bridges like the [[Bridge of Eldin]] and the [[Great Bridge of Hylia]] guarding the roads. New locations such as [[Snowpeak]] and [[Ordon Village]] also appear for the first time. The [[Temple of Time]] reappears in this game, but has shifted locations. It is no longer in the main [[Hyrule Castle Town|Castle Town]] as it was in {{OoT}}, but its ruins are instead in the [[Sacred Grove]], alongside the ruins of what appears to have been a city. This draws parallels with the [[Master Sword]]'s location in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]].'' This game also introduces the concept of Hyrule being divided into a province system, composed of Desert, Ordona, Peak, Faron, Eldin, and Lanayru provinces.

{{ST|-}} is unique in that it features a distinct new land named after Hyrule. '''New Hyrule''',<ref name=HH>{{Cite book|quote= New Hyrule is split into five regions, with Hyrule Castle and the Tower of Spirits at its center, encircled by the Forest Realm, the Snow Realm, the Ocean Realm, the Fire Realm, and the Sand Realm.|book=HH|page= 134}}</ref> as the land is named, features a unique and complex railroad system that was born out of the war with the Demon King [[Malladus]]. Its most notable features are the titular {{ST|Object}} that span four directions all across the land and the [[Tower of Spirits]] at the center of the kingdom.<ref>{{Cite|As you know, the Tower of Spirits has protected our kingdom for ages. The tower connects all the Spirit Tracks that crisscross the land.|Princess Zelda|ST}}</ref> These special tracks, the tower, and the four temples connected to the tower by the tracks, serve as the means as a lock, by which Malladus is kept bound in his prison deep beneath Hyrule.<ref>{{Cite|Finally, the spirits subdued the Demon King, though they could not destroy him. Their powers were greatly depleted. With their remaining power, they buried the Demon King's spirit in the ground. They built shackles to imprison him, and a tower that acted as a lock. These shackles cover the land to this day.|Introduction|ST}}</ref>

The Forest Realm is located in the southwest corner of "New Hyrule" and is a heavily forested area, but also features vast plains on its eastern side. The realm is home to most of the kingdom's [[Hylian]] population, who reside in the various settlements scattered around the Forest Realm. The capital of Hyrule, [[Castle Town]], lies in the northern extreme of the realm. Other settlements include the lumberjack town of [[Whittleton]], [[Aboda Village]], the [[Trading Post (Spirit Tracks)|Trading Post]], which is the home of the [[Linebeck Trading Company]]; [[Rabbitland Rescue]], and the [[Forest Sanctuary]]. The [[Forest Temple (Spirit Tracks)|Forest Temple]], located deep within the realm's forests, provides power to the Spirit Tracks, and through the tracks the Tower of Spirits.

The Fire Realm is located in the northeastern corner of the kingdom, and comprises a large number of volcanoes, lava lakes, rocky mountains, and underground tunnels. The [[Gorons]] reside throughout the realm living in the [[Goron Village (Spirit Tracks)|Goron Village]]/[[Fire Sanctuary (Spirit Tracks)|Fire Sanctuary]], [[Dark Ore Mine]], and the [[Goron Target Range]]. At the top of the large [[Mountain of Fire]] in the center of the Fire Realm is the Fire Temple. This temple is source of the [[Force Gem]] that powers the realm's Spirit Tracks leading to the Tower of Spirits, but it also the source of the evil causing the violent volcanic eruptions troubling the inhabitants of the realm.

In {{SS}}, Hyrule is known as the '''Surface''' for much of the game, and was also named '''Grooseland''' by [[Groose]]. Many enemies roam the land, as the armies of [[Demise]]. Link descends to Hyrule from [[Skyloft]] with the help of the [[Goddess Sword]], and continues to travel back and forth between his homeland and the land below using [[Bird Statue]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|quote=Even something as simple as the aiming, which is handled not necessarily with a pointer but by moving your hand around, just like you would aim an item in real life, will make it that much easier for you to feel like you're in that world of Hyrule and experiencing the adventure that Link is, because you're so connected to what's going on.|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/interview-nintendos-shigeru-miyamoto-on-3ds-retro-zelda-and/|title=joystiq's Interview with Shigeru Miyamoto|site=joystiq.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|quote=Aonuma says that the scene which concludes the trailer, in which Link leaps off a cliff into a sea of clouds, is an important story point. Instead of being raised in a village on the ground, he's been brought up in a town called Skyloft, which is a floating island. He's lived his life in the clouds, and has only recently "discovered" the land below, which he finds has been overrun with evil forces. You spend the game going back and forth between these two regions: Skyloft, and the ground below.|url=http://kotaku.com/5564576/live-from-nintendos-e3-briefing|site=kotaku.com}}</ref> The surface is divided into three provinces, with names corresponding to their {{TP|-}} counterparts. The [[Faron Woods|woodlands]] in the [[Faron Province]] is the home of the [[Kikwi]] race and contains the [[Sealed Grounds]], the [[Skyview Temple]], and [[Lake Floria]], home of the [[Faron (Dragon)|Water Dragon]]. [[Eldin Province]] is the northernmost province, inhabited by the [[Mogma]]s and home to the [[Earth Temple (Skyward Sword)|Earth Temple]] and [[Fire Sanctuary (Skyward Sword)|Fire Sanctuary]]. Death Mountain does not appear by name in the game; its role is played by [[Eldin Volcano]], which is generally believed to be the same location. [[Lanayru Province]] is a desert region in the far west, containing the [[Temple of Time]], [[Lanayru Mining Facility]], and the [[Sandship]]. This province was once a verdant green area surrounded by the sea, rich in minerals mined by the [[Ancient Robot]]s.

10,000 years prior to the events in {{BotW}}, the defeat of [[Calamity Ganon]] heralded a lengthy age of peace and prosperity for Hyrule. This peace came to an abrupt end 100 years prior to {{BotW|-}} when Calamity Ganon returned as an entity of [[Malice]]. The kingdom of Hyrule fell as Calamity Ganon seized control of the [[Divine Beast]]s and [[Guardian (Breath of the Wild)|Guardians]] designed to protect the kingdom, leaving it covered in ruin. The former heart of Hylian civilization, [[Central Hyrule]], suffered greatly from the Calamity's destruction. The Region, along with [[Hyrule Castle#Breath of the Wild|Hyrule Castle]], became inhabited by Guardians and various monsters. The civilizations of Hyrule survived and continue to live in their settlements, with the [[Hylian]]s in [[Hateno Village]] and [[Lurelin Village]], the [[Sheikah]] in [[Kakariko Village]], the [[Zora]] in [[Zora's Domain]], the [[Gerudo]] in [[Gerudo Town]], the [[Goron]]s in [[Goron City]] and the [[Rito]] in [[Rito Village]]. While the Sheikah survived the Calamity, they steeply declined from an era of technological prosperity. Long ago, they built the [[Sheikah Tower]]s, the [[Ancient Shrine]]s as well as the Divine Beasts and Guardians, all of which attest to their advanced level of science and technology. While the elder [[Impa]] still lives in Kakariko Village, the other surviving Sheikah elders, [[Purah]] and [[Robbie]], relocated to the [[Hateno Ancient Tech Lab]] and [[Akkala Ancient Tech Lab]] respectively. They did this so that they would not be wiped out in one strike should Calamity Ganon attack again, allowing at least one of them to survive and speak to Link after he awakes from the [[Shrine of Resurrection]].<ref>{{Cite|"Dr. Purah and I departed for Kakariko Village, where we left Lady Impa... All three of us couldn't stay together, of course. We couldn't risk Calamity Ganon getting all of us in one strike. If that happened, there'd be no one left to deliver Princess Zelda's message to Link when he recovered and woke up... We had to ensure at least one of us would be able to talk to him.|Robbie's Memoirs|BotW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|Right after the Great Calamity, the three of us gathered at Kakariko Village... but we had to separate soon after. If all three of us were found and wiped out, who would instruct you, the hero, once you awoke? Making sure one of us remained to give you guidance and deliver our important message was all that mattered. That's why we went our separate ways.|Purah|BotW}}</ref> As a constant reminder of Calamity Ganon's enduring reach, periodic events known as [[Blood Moon]]s occur, casting the night sky a crimson red and reviving all of Ganon's minions who fell.

Hyrule only plays a minor role in the opening and closing of {{MM|-}}, where a new section of the [[Lost Woods]] is revealed in the opening of the game. Link is searching the woods for "a [[Navi|friend]] with whom he parted ways" after the Child Timeline ending of {{OoT|-}}.<ref>{{Cite|Done with the battles he once waged across time, he embarked on a journey. A secret and personal journey...A journey in search of a beloved and invaluable friend...|Prologue|MM}}</ref> The Lost Woods are home to a portal leading to a parallel world to Hyrule called [[Termina]]. Link stumbles upon this portal when he chases the [[Skull Kid]] through it after a chance encounter in the Lost Woods. The young Hero of Time also returns to Hyrule through this same portal at the end of the game after he succeeds in saving Termina from the demon [[Majora's Mask (Object)|Majora]] and frees the Skull Kid from Majora's grasp. During the ending cinematic, a crude drawing of Link and the Skull Kid is seen in the Lost Woods.  

===''Oracle'' Series===

Hyrule in {{OoA}} and {{OoS}} also plays only a minor role in the overarching storyline. The kingdom appears to be at peace, because [[Ganon]] was vanquished sometime in the past and the complete [[Triforce]] is safe in [[Hyrule Castle]]. When Link touches the Triforce, he receives a mark on his hand that signifies that he is the chosen hero of Hyrule.<ref name=DinTriforce>{{Cite|It has a ^ on it. That is a sacred mark in Hyrule. If it's the true symbol, then you are a hero with a special fate, Link.|Din|OoS}}</ref> As the two games open, Link is shown riding a horse along a coastline (revealing that this version of Hyrule also has an ocean that borders it), and Hyrule Castle is shown from a distance when Link stops to take in the view and hears the Triforce's call from within the castle. These brief scenes are the only times gamers see Hyrule in the two games, and only one room is shown within Hyrule Castle, the room where the Triforce is kept. It is also revealed that, unlike in Termina, Hyrule is known to members of the two new lands visited by Link within the games. Nayru reveals that she knows that Link and Impa are messengers of Hyrule <ref>{{Cite|Thank you. You've come all the way from Hyrule, correct? Pleased to meet you. I am Nayru.|Nayru|OoA}}</ref> and Din is able to identify the Triforce mark on the back of Link's hand.<ref name=DinTriforce/> This indicates that both [[Holodrum]] and [[Labrynna]] are different countries in the same universe as Hyrule, and not parallel dimensions like Termina.

[[Category:Hyrule]]