Can You Continue Your Save After Defeating Ganon? The Definitive Guide
The age-old question for any Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW) player: You’ve finally faced Calamity Ganon, battled your heart out, and watched the credits roll. But what happens now? Can you continue exploring Hyrule with Ganon defeated?
The direct answer is: No, you cannot continue your save in a state where Ganon has been permanently defeated in Breath of the Wild. The game does not save after the final boss fight. Instead, after the credits, you’re returned to your last save point before you entered the Sanctum to face Ganon. It’s a temporal anomaly of sorts, a clever game design choice that allows you to re-experience the final battle while keeping the world ripe with opportunities for exploration and discovery. But it’s not all for naught, you do get a special marker indicating that you have prevailed.
This might seem disappointing at first, but it’s actually a brilliant way to maintain the game’s open-world nature. Imagine if Ganon was truly gone; the world would be fundamentally different. The Blood Moons would cease, the monsters would vanish, and the sense of urgency that permeates the game would dissipate. By resetting to before the final battle, the developers ensure that the core gameplay loop remains intact, allowing you to complete side quests, find Korok Seeds, and tackle DLC content without a drastically altered world.
However, there are indicators that you’ve conquered the main quest. Your save file will now have a star icon next to it, signifying your victory. Also, a percentage counter will appear on your map, tracking your completion progress across Hyrule, encouraging you to explore every nook and cranny. This allows you to see all of the wonderful things you missed, the things that might be valuable to you such as the items, locations, and even mini-games that exist across the vast lands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Post-Ganon Gameplay in Breath of the Wild
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify what you can and cannot do after defeating Calamity Ganon:
What carries over to my save file after defeating Ganon?
After you defeat Ganon and reload your save, a star icon appears on the save file indicating completion. You’ll also see a percentage completion counter on your map, encouraging you to explore everything you missed. Your inventory, unlocked shrines, and discovered locations all remain as they were.
Can I replay the Ganon fight?
Absolutely! Since the game resets to your last save before the fight, you can battle Ganon as many times as you like. It’s an excellent way to experiment with different weapons, strategies, and fighting styles. Use this to your advantage to ensure that you can take down Calamity Ganon in the most spectacular style imaginable.
Does the Breath of the Wild DLC continue after beating Ganon?
Yes, the DLC (The Master Trials and The Champions’ Ballad) can be played before or after defeating Ganon. Completing the DLC adds new challenges and content to the game without altering the core storyline or world state post-Ganon fight. Also, playing the DLC after you beat Ganon allows you to use and hone your skills in preparation for the new challenges.
Should I complete the Champions’ Ballad before or after fighting Ganon?
Chronologically, the Champions’ Ballad takes place before the final battle with Ganon. Many players recommend completing it beforehand to gain the Master Cycle Zero, a valuable asset for exploring Hyrule. However, there’s no right or wrong answer. It boils down to personal preference and the level of challenge you seek.
Do Blood Moons still happen after defeating Ganon?
Yes, Blood Moons continue to occur after defeating Ganon, as the game resets to a state before his defeat. This ensures that the world remains populated with monsters, keeping the gameplay loop intact and the challenges fresh.
Will defeating Ganon remove the Malice from Hyrule Castle?
No, the Malice remains in Hyrule Castle even after defeating Ganon. The game resets to before the final battle, preserving the corrupted state of the castle and the surrounding areas. This consistency maintains the overall atmosphere and challenges of the game world.
Can I still find Korok Seeds after defeating Ganon?
Absolutely! The hunt for Korok Seeds is a significant part of Breath of the Wild, and you can continue to find them even after defeating Ganon. The percentage completion counter on your map is a great motivator to find as many as possible.
Do Lynels respawn after defeating Ganon?
Yes, Lynels respawn after defeating Ganon, just like other monsters in the game. They are typically triggered by a Blood Moon, so continue to be on guard! The game’s reset to a pre-Ganon state ensures that these formidable enemies continue to roam Hyrule.
Does anything change in the game world after defeating Ganon?
While the world state doesn’t change, your save file displays a star icon, and you gain access to a completion percentage on your map. This encourages further exploration and completion of side quests, shrines, and other activities. Also, you get to have bragging rights!
Can I keep playing as Link after beating Ganon?
Yes, you continue to play as Link. However, your gameplay session is essentially a “what if,” continuing from the save point right before you confront Ganon. Link’s abilities, equipment, and progress remain intact, allowing you to further explore and conquer Hyrule.
What happens if I beat Calamity Ganon twice?
Each time you defeat Ganon, you’ll be returned to your last save before the fight. The star icon on your save file remains, and the percentage completion counter will update based on any new progress you’ve made since your previous victory.
Can I still complete shrine quests after defeating Ganon?
Yes, you can continue to complete shrine quests after defeating Ganon. These quests are independent of the main storyline and can be tackled at any point during your playthrough.
Does defeating Ganon unlock any new abilities or items?
Defeating Ganon doesn’t unlock any new abilities or items directly. However, completing certain side quests or DLC content after defeating Ganon might reward you with new gear or enhancements.
Can I still tame horses after defeating Ganon?
Yes, you can still tame horses after defeating Ganon. Taming and registering horses remains a core gameplay mechanic, unaffected by the completion of the main story.
Is there a true ending to Breath of the Wild?
Breath of the Wild doesn’t have multiple endings or a true ending that changes the world state. The conclusion remains the same, resetting your game to before the final battle while acknowledging your victory with a star icon and a completion percentage counter. For more engaging discussions about the educational aspects of games like Breath of the Wild, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
In conclusion, while you can’t technically explore a Hyrule permanently free from Ganon’s influence, the game provides ample opportunities for post-Ganon exploration and completion. The star icon and completion percentage serve as reminders of your accomplishments, while the world remains ripe with challenges and discoveries. Embrace the endless possibilities of Hyrule, even after saving it from Calamity Ganon! This cyclical nature ensures that the game continues to provide the engaging and rewarding open-world experience that players have come to love.