Can You Keep Playing Tears of the Kingdom After Beating the Game?
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The short answer is: yes, you can absolutely continue playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom after defeating Ganondorf. However, it’s crucial to understand how the game handles this post-final boss scenario. Unlike some games that offer a completely changed world state after the final boss is defeated, Tears of the Kingdom takes a slightly different approach. Instead of letting you explore a Hyrule free of Ganondorf’s menace, the game effectively resets you to just before the final confrontation, but with a clear indication that you’ve achieved victory. This allows you to tie up loose ends, explore, complete side quests, and collect all remaining items without the looming threat of the final boss.
The Post-Ganon Gameplay Experience
No Dramatic World Changes
The most significant thing to understand is that the world of Hyrule does not fundamentally change after defeating Ganondorf. There won’t be any sweeping alterations to the landscape, NPC dialogue, or enemy encounters. While this might disappoint some players hoping for a truly post-game Hyrule, it does maintain consistency and allows players to focus on completing all the side content without the pressure of needing to re-establish a storyline.
Victory Star and Save State
After the credits roll, the game places you back at the last save point you had before initiating the final battle with Ganondorf. However, your save file is now marked with a victory star or similar visual indicator. This star is a symbol acknowledging that you have conquered the final boss and have completed the main story. It’s a nice visual cue, but it does not alter any mechanics or gameplay.
Freedom to Continue Side Content
The key benefit of this approach is that you are free to continue your adventure in Hyrule as if Ganondorf hadn’t been defeated. You can explore any areas you haven’t explored, take on any remaining shrines, and complete any side quests or challenges you’ve yet to complete. This approach allows you to achieve a 100% completion of Tears of the Kingdom without needing to start a brand-new save file.
Why No True Post-Game State?
This approach may be chosen by the developers to avoid complications such as reconciling story elements with the post-game state. It ensures that the player’s gameplay experience remains consistent with the storyline’s conclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about post-game content and other related aspects of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, with concise answers:
1. Is there a New Game Plus mode in Tears of the Kingdom?
No, Tears of the Kingdom does not feature a New Game Plus mode at launch.
2. Can you carry on playing after defeating Ganon?
Yes, you can continue playing after defeating Ganondorf. You will be returned to your last save before the final fight, marked with a victory symbol, allowing for continued exploration and side quest completion.
3. Does Hyrule Castle change after defeating Ganon?
No, Hyrule Castle does not change after defeating Ganondorf, apart from the final battle sequence no longer being available. The gameplay continues as if the battle had not taken place.
4. What to do after beating Phantom Ganon in Tears of the Kingdom?
After defeating Phantom Ganon, stronger monsters are summoned in Hyrule. You must then complete the “Crisis at Hyrule Castle” quest and progress to the “Secret of the Ring Ruins” quest, along with any other activities you desire.
5. How many phases does Ganondorf have in Tears of the Kingdom?
You fight Demon King Ganondorf over three distinct phases.
6. Does the Master Sword break against Ganon?
No, the Master Sword will not break while fighting Ganondorf. It is designed to do double damage and withstand the fight.
7. Can you break the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom?
Normally, the Master Sword can run out of energy, requiring a recharge period. However, against Ganondorf, it is unbreakable.
8. Is there a secret ending in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, there is a true ending which is a post-credits scene that is unlocked when the main story is completed.
9. Will there be DLC in Tears of the Kingdom?
According to Nintendo, there will be no DLC for Tears of the Kingdom as they believe they have implemented all elements they wanted.
10. Should I play Breath of the Wild again before Tears of the Kingdom?
No, you do not need to play Breath of the Wild again before Tears of the Kingdom. However, Breath of the Wild is an excellent game you may wish to revisit.
11. Does Zelda turn back from a dragon in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, after Link defeats Ganondorf, the spirits of Rauru and Sonia help to return Zelda back to her human form.
12. How many shrines are 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 in the Sky Islands.
13. Is the Master Sword worth getting in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, the Master Sword is very useful, as it is the only weapon that doesn’t break when fighting Ganondorf. While it’s not required to beat the game, it is a powerful weapon.
14. Can you go to the final boss at any time in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, you can technically go to the final boss right after reaching Lookout Landing and obtaining the Paraglider. However, you may want to strengthen your character before doing so.
15. Can Ganondorf be killed without the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, Ganondorf can be defeated without the Master Sword, though it is more challenging. Other weapons, particularly fused weapons, are useful for the fight.
Conclusion
While Tears of the Kingdom doesn’t offer a drastically altered post-game world, the ability to continue playing after beating Ganondorf is still invaluable. The victory star on your save file serves as a badge of honor, and this setup encourages players to experience every facet of Hyrule, ensuring a longer and more satisfying play-through. The absence of a New Game Plus may disappoint some, but the sheer amount of content available means that players have a wealth of quests, shrines, and exploration to pursue long after the final credits roll.