Can You Keep Playing After Defeating Ganon in Tears of the Kingdom?
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The burning question on many Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK) players’ minds after facing down the formidable Ganondorf is: Can you keep playing after defeating Ganon? The short answer is: no, not in a state where Ganon is defeated. Once you trigger the final boss battle, the game concludes, and you are returned to the main menu. There is no post-game world to explore. You cannot roam a Hyrule where Ganon is vanquished. This may come as a disappointment to some, but it’s a deliberate design choice that mirrors the structure of Breath of the Wild. However, this isn’t the end of your adventure if you still crave more time in Hyrule.
The game does offer a mechanism to continue playing, but it involves loading a save file created before the final encounter with Ganondorf. This returns you to a pre-final boss state, allowing you to continue exploring, completing shrines, tackling side quests, and essentially doing everything you hadn’t done before facing the final battle. Upon loading such a save, you will notice that your save file now has a star next to it, indicating you’ve completed the main storyline. A completion rate will also appear in the bottom right corner of your map screen, which helps track how much of the game you’ve truly explored and conquered.
This approach might feel like a “dead end,” as the game’s narrative does not evolve in a post-Ganon state. But it allows you to continue the gameplay loop that many players enjoy in open-world titles, where the act of exploration, discovery, and self-directed goals is the primary focus, rather than a linear story progression. It highlights that completion was never the point, but rather the experiences along the way.
What Happens After You Beat Ganondorf?
After defeating the Demon King, the game immediately transitions into the end cutscenes and credits. Once they finish, you’ll be taken straight back to the title screen. Your save file will feature a star, and when loaded, your map will display a completion percentage. This feature tracks all the side quests, locations, and collectibles you may have missed. In a post-Ganon state, you can also find new interactions with Kilton, the monster parts vendor, who will now offer new options and reward you for killing minibosses.
While you can’t experience a post-game world, the save system is designed to encourage you to pick up where you left off, exploring the game’s vast and intricate world. Think of it as the game allowing you to play the ‘end-game’ content before the end. Many may use this time to revisit locations they’ve yet to explore, acquire gear they missed, and prepare themselves for any possible DLC.
The ‘True’ Ending
Even though the main gameplay loop does not change, there is a hidden ‘true’ ending that can be unlocked by completing specific objectives. Unlike traditional endings in video games that alter the narrative outcome, the “true” ending in Tears of the Kingdom provides an additional cutscene that offers a more complete resolution to the game’s story. To access this extended cutscene, you’ll need to:
- Complete all main story quests.
- Acquire the Master Sword.
- Collect all Memories.
This extended ending is almost 6 minutes long and is a reward for those dedicated enough to fully engage with the game’s storyline and lore.
Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 related questions to further clarify what happens after beating Ganon and other related aspects of the game:
1. Can I still get the Hylian Shield after beating Ganon?
Yes, the Hylian Shield is always accessible in the lockup area of Hyrule Castle. You still need to defeat the Stal Hinox to obtain it. If you break it, you can buy a new one from Granté in Tarrey Town after completing the relevant side quest.
2. Can I access DLC content after completing the main story?
As of now, it has been confirmed by the game’s producer, Eiji Aonuma that there will be no DLC for Tears of the Kingdom. The development team stated that they were able to include all of their desired elements in the base game.
3. How many shrines are there in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are a total of 152 Shrines in Tears of the Kingdom. 120 are on the surface of Hyrule, and 32 are located in the Sky Islands.
4. What reward do I get for completing all the shrines?
Completing all 152 shrines unlocks the Ancient Hero’s Aspect, a full-body armor set. Upon completing the final shrine, you’ll be directed to the Temple of Time for your reward.
5. Is ‘Destroy Ganondorf’ the final quest?
Yes, “Destroy Ganondorf” is the last main quest. Reaching Ganondorf and defeating him is the ultimate goal of the main storyline.
6. Can I fight Ganondorf again after beating him?
While you can’t engage in a rematch in a post-game state, you can fight him again by reloading your save before the final battle, allowing for multiple encounters without narrative progression.
7. Where can I find the Master Sword in TotK?
The Master Sword is found on the head of the Light Dragon. You’ll need at least two full green stamina wheels to pull it from the dragon.
8. How can I get Epona in Tears of the Kingdom?
If you have a Breath of the Wild save file on the same Nintendo Switch console, Epona will automatically appear registered to you after visiting your first Stable.
9. Who is the main villain in Tears of the Kingdom?
Ganondorf is the primary antagonist, seeking to conquer Hyrule. He is a powerful and imposing foe.
10. Is Link older in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, the timeline gap between games places Link at around 122-125 years old in Tears of the Kingdom.
11. Does the Triforce appear in Tears of the Kingdom?
While the Triforce is not directly mentioned, it is theorized that Zelda possesses it. It is not a prominent artifact in the game’s narrative like previous Zelda installments.
12. Why is Link shirtless at the end of Tears of the Kingdom?
The designers likely chose to have Link shirtless at the end to emphasize his normal arm’s return and to prevent players from wearing unconventional armor during the emotionally charged finale.
13. Does Tears of the Kingdom have a true ending?
Yes, there is an additional cutscene, almost 6 minutes long, available if you complete all main story quests, obtain the Master Sword, and collect all memories. It’s not an alternate story but a more complete ending.
14. What is the best shield in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Hylian Shield is considered the best shield with a defense rating of 90.
15. What kind of reward will I get for defeating the minibosses?
Kilton will give you unique rewards for defeating all the mini-bosses in the game, including unique weapons and monster parts. Kilton’s new dialogue and options are only available after defeating Ganon at least once.
Conclusion
While the lack of a true post-game in Tears of the Kingdom might disappoint some players, the game compensates with its expansive open-world, countless quests, and the sheer joy of exploration. The save system encourages you to revisit and complete anything you may have missed before the final encounter with Ganondorf. This design focuses on player choice and freedom, rather than the conventional post-story conclusion seen in many games. By completing the “true” ending and engaging with all of the game’s challenges, you can truly experience all the content Tears of the Kingdom has to offer. Ultimately, the journey itself, rather than a specific ending, is the true reward.