Can You Keep Playing After Destroying Ganon? The Definitive Answer
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The short answer is: No, you cannot directly keep playing in the same world after defeating Ganon in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Breath of the Wild. Upon defeating Ganon, the game ends, and you are presented with the credits.
However, this doesn’t mean all your progress is lost! While you can’t continue playing in the post-Ganon world with a defeated Ganon, the game automatically creates a save file marked with a star. This starred save allows you to reload into the world before the final battle, enabling you to explore the world further, complete side quests, find missing items, and generally achieve 100% completion.
What Happens After You Beat Ganon?
When you defeat Ganon, you’re treated to an ending cutscene, and the credits roll. This marks the “end” of the game’s storyline. The game then saves, and you’re given the option to load your game. However, loading that save doesn’t put you back into a world free of Ganon. Instead, you’re placed right outside the entrance to the final battle, ready to face him again.
This might seem disappointing, but it’s a deliberate design choice. The game focuses on the journey of preparation and exploration, rather than a post-apocalyptic reconstruction.
The Starred Save File: Your Key to Continued Adventure
The crucial detail is the starred save file. This save contains several key differences compared to your previous saves:
- Completion Percentage: A completion percentage counter appears on the map. This is a good indication of how much you’ve explored and accomplished in the game.
- Monster Medals: Kilton in Tarrey Town can now reward you with medals for defeating specific monster types. This provides a new endgame goal for completionists.
- Quest Completion Tracker: A quest completion tracker is added to your adventure log, allowing you to see exactly which quests you have and haven’t completed.
- Enemy Scaling (Master Mode Only): In Master Mode, enemies may have scaled up to a higher level upon reloading the starred save.
These changes are aimed at enhancing the endgame experience and encouraging players to revisit areas they may have overlooked. It allows you to experience everything the game has to offer without the immediate threat of facing Ganon again.
Why This Design Choice?
There are several reasons why Nintendo opted for this design:
- Preserving the Game World: A post-Ganon world would fundamentally alter the game’s atmosphere and gameplay loop. The constant threat of Ganon’s influence is integral to the experience. Removing that threat would require significant changes to the game world and its inhabitants.
- Focus on Exploration and Preparation: The game emphasizes the journey of preparing for the final battle. The sense of urgency and discovery is a core element of the gameplay. Allowing players to freely roam a Ganon-free world would diminish this feeling.
- Avoiding Narrative Inconsistencies: Creating a believable and engaging narrative for a post-Ganon world would be a complex undertaking. It would require addressing numerous questions about the state of Hyrule, the fate of its inhabitants, and the role of Link and Zelda.
Maximizing Your Post-Ganon Starred Save
Here are some tips for making the most of your post-Ganon starred save:
- Complete All Shrines: There are a large number of shrines in both games (120 in Breath of the Wild, 152 in Tears of the Kingdom). Completing them grants you more hearts/stamina vessels and valuable resources.
- Find All Korok Seeds: This is a truly completionist endeavor (900 in Breath of the Wild, 1000 in Tears of the Kingdom), but it’s a great way to explore every nook and cranny of the world and max out your inventory slots.
- Complete All Side Quests and Shrine Quests: There are hundreds of side quests and shrine quests to complete. This will unlock new areas, characters, and storylines.
- Upgrade All Armor: Upgrading your armor provides significant defensive bonuses and can make challenging encounters much easier.
- Defeat All Talus, Hinox, and Molduga: These mini-bosses provide valuable resources and are a good test of your combat skills.
- Explore All Caves and Wells (Tears of the Kingdom): Tears of the Kingdom introduces a massive cave system and numerous wells to explore, many of which contain valuable resources and secrets.
- Complete the Compendium: Filling out the Hyrule Compendium by taking pictures of every creature, monster, and item in the game is a challenging but rewarding task.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about playing after defeating Ganon:
1. Does defeating Ganon unlock anything new gameplay-wise?
Defeating Ganon itself doesn’t unlock new areas or gameplay mechanics. The primary unlock is the starred save file, which adds the completion percentage, monster medals, and quest completion tracker to help you further explore and complete the game. In Master Mode, it may also scale up the enemy levels.
2. Can I build a permanent settlement after defeating Ganon?
No, you cannot build a permanent settlement or change the game world in any significant way after defeating Ganon. The game remains in a pre-Ganon state.
3. Can I play as Zelda after defeating Ganon?
No, you cannot play as Zelda. You always play as Link.
4. Does the story continue after defeating Ganon?
No, the main story concludes with the defeat of Ganon. There are no post-game story quests or expansions.
5. Are there any new weapons or armor unlocked after defeating Ganon?
Defeating Ganon directly doesn’t unlock any new weapons or armor. However, completing specific side quests and exploring the world more thoroughly after defeating Ganon might lead you to previously undiscovered items.
6. Does defeating Ganon reset my inventory?
No, defeating Ganon does not reset your inventory. You keep all your weapons, armor, items, and resources.
7. Can I fight Ganon again after defeating him once?
Yes, you can fight Ganon again as many times as you want. Simply load your starred save file, and you’ll be placed right outside the entrance to the final battle.
8. What does the completion percentage on the map represent?
The completion percentage represents the percentage of the game that you’ve completed. It takes into account things like shrine completion, Korok seed collection, and map discovery. It’s important to note that the exact formula for calculating completion percentage isn’t fully known.
9. Are there any missable items or quests that I should complete before fighting Ganon?
There are no truly “missable” items or quests. You can always go back and complete them after defeating Ganon, using your starred save.
10. Does defeating Ganon affect the weather or environment in any way?
No, defeating Ganon does not change the weather or environment in any way. The world remains in its pre-Ganon state.
11. How do I obtain monster medals from Kilton?
To obtain monster medals from Kilton, you must first defeat Ganon. Then, speak to Kilton in Tarrey Town. He will offer you medals for defeating specific numbers of Hinox, Stone Talus, and Molduga.
12. Does defeating Ganon affect enemy respawns?
Enemy respawns are not directly affected by defeating Ganon. Enemies will continue to respawn according to the game’s normal respawn cycle, which is based on in-game time and world events like the Blood Moon.
13. What’s the point of exploring after defeating Ganon if there’s no new story content?
The point of exploring after defeating Ganon is to fully experience the game’s world, complete all side quests and challenges, upgrade your equipment, and achieve a sense of completion. It’s about maximizing your enjoyment of the gameplay mechanics and world design that the game offers.
14. Is there a difference in the starred save file between normal mode and Master Mode?
The primary difference in the starred save file between normal mode and Master Mode is that in Master Mode, enemies may have scaled up to a higher level upon reloading the starred save. This adds an extra layer of challenge to the endgame exploration.
15. Will there ever be DLC that adds a post-Ganon story?
As of now, there is no indication of DLC that will change the end of the story for either game. The developers have been adamant that the game’s focus is on the journey to defeat Ganon.