Decoding the Mystery: What to Do with Extra Korok Seeds in Zelda?
So, you’ve traversed the vast lands of Hyrule, solved countless puzzles, and bravely faced down monstrous foes. You’ve meticulously collected Korok Seeds, those elusive little treasures hidden throughout Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. But you’ve already upgraded your inventory to its maximum capacity. Now what? Can you do anything with the extra Korok Seeds?
The short answer is: No, you cannot do anything functional with Korok Seeds beyond the number required to fully expand your inventory. Once you’ve given Hestu enough seeds to max out your weapon, bow, and shield slots, any additional seeds serve no practical purpose in terms of gameplay mechanics. Consider them trophies, bragging rights, or perhaps just a testament to your dedication as a completionist. But don’t despair, the journey itself is often the reward, and there’s a peculiar sense of satisfaction in finding them all, even if they become essentially useless afterwards.
Understanding the Korok Seed Economy
Before diving deeper, it’s essential to understand how Korok Seeds function within the game’s design. These seeds, obtained by solving environmental puzzles and interacting with the whimsical Koroks scattered across the map, act as a form of currency exclusively for Hestu, the large, dancing Korok. Hestu, initially found near Kakariko Village and later relocating to the Korok Forest, accepts these seeds in exchange for expanding Link’s inventory slots.
The initial upgrades are relatively inexpensive, requiring only a handful of seeds each. However, the cost steadily increases as you unlock more slots, demanding greater dedication and exploration. This escalating cost is a deliberate design choice, encouraging players to explore more of the world and engage with the game’s puzzle mechanics. Once your inventory is fully expanded, Hestu will continue to accept the Korok Seeds, but they no longer provide any tangible benefit to your gameplay.
The Allure of Completionism and Hestu’s Gift
Despite the lack of functional utility, many players are driven by the desire to collect all 900 Korok Seeds in Breath of the Wild or the 1,000 Korok Seeds in Tears of the Kingdom. This pursuit stems from a deep-seated impulse known as completionism, the desire to experience and master every aspect of a game.
Reaching the goal of collecting all the Korok Seeds is a challenging task that requires patience, dedication, and a thorough understanding of the game world. It’s a testament to a player’s commitment to the game. And the ultimate reward is Hestu’s Gift, a large golden pile of…well, it’s implied to be poop.
Hestu’s Gift is purely ornamental. It doesn’t grant any special abilities, unlock any secret areas, or provide any strategic advantage. It’s essentially a trophy, a digital badge of honor signifying your completion of this particular challenge. While some find it humorous and charming, others find it disappointing and anticlimactic. Regardless of your personal opinion, it’s a memorable moment that marks the culmination of a long and arduous journey. The real prize, some would argue, wasn’t the gift but the expanded inventory and the experience along the way.
Are Korok Seeds Worth the Effort?
The value of collecting all Korok Seeds is subjective. For players who prioritize gameplay efficiency and strategic advantage, finding only the necessary 441 seeds to max out the inventory in Breath of the Wild or 440 in Tears of the Kingdom is the most logical approach. This allows them to focus on other aspects of the game, such as completing quests, defeating bosses, and exploring the storyline.
However, for completionists and players who enjoy the exploration and puzzle-solving aspects of the game, collecting all the Korok Seeds can be a rewarding experience in itself. The journey of discovering all the hidden Koroks can lead to the discovery of new locations, hidden secrets, and a deeper appreciation for the intricate world design of Hyrule. This approach aligns with the ideals of Games Learning Society, which focuses on how games can be used to engage and educate. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights on this topic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Hestu’s Gift do anything useful?
No, Hestu’s Gift is purely ornamental. It doesn’t provide any gameplay benefits, unlock any new areas, or grant any special abilities. Its sole purpose is to serve as a trophy, marking your accomplishment of collecting all the Korok Seeds.
2. How many Korok Seeds are needed to max out inventory?
In Breath of the Wild, you need 441 Korok Seeds to fully expand your weapon, bow, and shield inventories. In Tears of the Kingdom, you need 440 Korok Seeds.
3. What happens if I give Hestu more seeds after maxing out my inventory?
Hestu will still accept the seeds and offer his usual dialogue, but nothing will actually happen. Your inventory won’t expand further, and you won’t receive any additional rewards.
4. Is it worth getting all 900 (or 1000) Korok Seeds?
That depends on your personal play style and goals. If you prioritize efficiency and strategic advantage, it’s not worth it. But if you enjoy exploration, puzzle-solving, and completionism, it can be a rewarding experience despite the lack of functional reward at the end.
5. Do Korok Seeds count towards 100% completion?
Yes, in Breath of the Wild, collecting all 900 Korok Seeds is required to achieve 100% completion, along with completing all Divine Beasts, Shrines, and visiting every named location. The same is likely true for Tears of the Kingdom and it’s 1000 Korok Seeds.
6. What is the hardest Korok Seed to find?
The difficulty of finding individual Korok Seeds varies from player to player. However, some commonly cited as difficult include those that require precise timing, complex puzzle solutions, or are hidden in obscure locations. A few examples are metal structures in Cora Lake, rock formations near Lurelin Village, and boulder patterns within Damel Forest.
7. Should I upgrade weapons, bows, or shields first?
Prioritize upgrading your weapon inventory first, as it allows you to carry a wider variety of weapons and adapt to different combat situations. After that, focus on bows and shields based on your personal play style.
8. Does Hestu’s Gift do anything different in Tears of the Kingdom?
No, Hestu’s Gift functions the same way in Tears of the Kingdom as it does in Breath of the Wild. It is purely ornamental and serves no functional purpose.
9. Can I track which Korok Seeds I’ve already found?
The game doesn’t provide an in-game tracker for individual Korok Seeds. Players often rely on external resources, such as online maps and guides, to track their progress.
10. Are there any glitches related to Korok Seeds?
While rare, there have been reports of glitches related to Korok Seeds, such as seeds not appearing or not being properly registered by the game. However, these glitches are typically infrequent and can often be resolved by reloading the game.
11. Are Korok Seeds missable?
No, Korok Seeds are not missable. You can always return to a location and solve the puzzle to obtain the seed, even after progressing through the main storyline.
12. Does the Expansion Pass affect Korok Seeds?
No, the Expansion Pass for Breath of the Wild doesn’t affect the number or location of Korok Seeds. It primarily adds new story content, challenges, and equipment.
13. How can I make finding Korok Seeds easier?
Use online interactive maps, read guides, and watch videos to learn the locations and solutions for various Korok Seed puzzles. Also, explore the game world thoroughly and pay attention to your surroundings, as many Korok Seeds are hidden in plain sight.
14. What is the best way to spend my early Korok Seeds?
In the early game, focus on upgrading your weapon inventory to give yourself more flexibility in combat. A few early upgrades to bow and shield slots are useful as well, but weapons should be your priority.
15. Do Lightroots help with finding Korok Seeds?
In Tears of the Kingdom, Lightroots are found in the Depths and correspond directly to the surface shrines. While they don’t directly reveal Korok Seed locations, lighting them up can help you orient yourself and explore the underground areas, potentially leading you to new Korok Seed puzzles on the surface.
Ultimately, what you choose to do with the ‘extra’ Korok Seeds in Zelda games is up to you. If you collect all 900 (or 1000), be proud of your efforts!