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Can You Play After Defeating Ganon in Tears of the Kingdom? The Definitive Answer

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Yes, you can continue to play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TotK) after defeating Ganon, but with a significant caveat: the game essentially reverts to a point just before the final boss fight. Think of it like Groundhog Day, but instead of Phil Connors, it’s Link, and instead of Punxsutawney, it’s Hyrule. You won’t experience a true post-game state where the world reflects Ganon’s defeat. Instead, you are placed back into the world as it was, free to explore, complete side quests, and generally wreak havoc (or heroism) until you feel ready to tackle Ganon again. This design choice emphasizes the journey, not the destination, in Tears of the Kingdom. Completion was never really the point of the game.

Why No True Post-Game?

The decision to not include a traditional post-game world might seem odd to some players, especially those accustomed to seeing tangible consequences for their actions in video games. However, there are likely several design and narrative reasons behind this choice:

Preserving Open-World Freedom: A post-Ganon world would fundamentally change the dynamic of Hyrule. Towns would be rebuilt, NPCs would react differently, and the overall sense of urgency would dissipate. This could potentially diminish the core gameplay loop of exploration and discovery that Tears of the Kingdom so heavily relies on. By keeping the world in a pre-Ganon state, the developers preserve the player’s freedom to engage with the open world at their own pace and in their own way. The experience of learning through games is something the Games Learning Society studies at length.
Narrative Consistency: Tears of the Kingdom thrives on a sense of impending doom and the player’s role in preventing it. A post-Ganon world would undermine this narrative tension. By resetting the game to before the final battle, the developers maintain the integrity of the story and the player’s agency in shaping its outcome.
Focus on Replayability: By allowing players to revisit the world before Ganon’s defeat, the game encourages them to explore different strategies, complete missed content, and generally experiment with the game’s mechanics. This promotes replayability and ensures that players can continue to find new things to discover long after completing the main story.

What Happens After You Defeat Ganon?

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

The Final Battle: You engage in an epic showdown with Ganondorf, utilizing all the skills and equipment you’ve acquired throughout your adventure.
Ending Cutscenes: Once Ganon is defeated, you’re treated to a series of cutscenes that wrap up the main storyline and provide closure to the characters. A “true ending” or post-credit scene may occur upon finishing.
Return to the Title Screen: After the cutscenes conclude, the game boots you back to the title screen.
Loading Your Save: When you load your save file, you’ll find yourself back in Hyrule, standing just before the point of no return, ready to face Ganon again… or not!

Carryovers and Changes

While the world doesn’t fundamentally change, there are a few important things that do carry over after defeating Ganon:

Star on Your Save File: A star appears on your save file, indicating that you’ve defeated Ganon. This is a visual marker of your accomplishment.
Kilton’s Medals: You can unlock Kilton offering medals for killing all Hinox, Stone Talus, and Moldugas. These medals are a fun collectible for completionists.
Completion Percentage: The game tracks your overall completion percentage, allowing you to see how much of the world you’ve explored and how many quests you’ve completed. The percentage is not shown in-game, but it exists.
Hero’s Path Mode: Hero’s Path Mode on the map reveals everywhere you’ve travelled in the last 200 hours of gameplay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Post-Ganon Gameplay in Tears of the Kingdom

1. Is Destroy Ganondorf the Last Quest?

Yes, “Destroy Ganondorf” is the final main quest in Tears of the Kingdom. It’s the culmination of your adventure and the ultimate test of your skills.

2. How Many Hearts Should I Have to Fight Ganon in Tears of the Kingdom?

While it depends on your skill level, a general recommendation is to have 10-13 hearts before tackling Ganon. Some of his attacks can deal significant damage.

3. What Unlocks After Beating Ganon in Tears of the Kingdom?

As mentioned earlier, defeating Ganon unlocks Kilton’s medals for defeating all Hinox, Stone Talus, and Molduga.

4. Is it Possible to Keep the Bow of Light?

Unfortunately, no. The Bow of Light is a temporary weapon granted for the final battle and cannot be retained after defeating Ganon. However, there is a glitch to do so, but it requires you to clip out of bounds.

5. Can You Do the DLC After Beating Ganon?

If any DLC becomes available for Tears of the Kingdom, you can access it at any time, including after defeating Ganon.

6. Is There a Secret Ending in Tears of the Kingdom?

Yes, there’s often a “true ending” or post-credits scene in Zelda games, and Tears of the Kingdom is no exception. Keep an eye out for it after the final boss fight.

7. What is the Best Armor in TOTK?

The “best” armor depends on your playstyle and needs. Some popular choices include the Zonaite Armor, Fierce Deity Armor, and Glide Armor, each offering unique benefits.

8. How Do You Unlock the Master Sword in TOTK?

Unlocking the Master Sword requires finding the Light Dragon and having at least two full stamina wheels.

9. Are Zelda and Link a Couple?

The nature of Link and Zelda’s relationship is often left open to interpretation. While there’s no explicitly confirmed romance, they share a deep bond of friendship, respect, and care for one another.

10. What Game Should I Play After Tears of the Kingdom?

That depends on what aspects of Tears of the Kingdom you enjoyed most. The article mentions BioShock Infinite. If you liked the air travel of Tears of the Kingdom, a game like BioShock Infinite might be a good choice. Other suggestions could be games with a similar exploration focus, intricate combat systems, or compelling narratives.

11. What are the Rewards for Completing all the Shrines in Tears of the Kingdom?

Completing all 152 Shrines in Tears of the Kingdom rewards you with the Ancient Hero’s Aspect, a unique armor set.

12. Is There a Gerudo Bow in the Game?

Yes, the Gerudo Bow is a powerful bow favored by the Gerudo and can be found in the Gerudo Desert and the Gerudo Highlands.

13. Will Link Have the Sheikah Slate in Tears of the Kingdom?

No. The Sheikah Slate does not return in Tears of the Kingdom, replaced with Link’s new arm and its associated abilities.

14. What is the 100 Percent Reward in Tears of the Kingdom?

There is no specific in-game reward for achieving 100% completion in Tears of the Kingdom. It’s more about personal satisfaction and bragging rights.

15. What is the Max Stamina in Tears of the Kingdom?

The maximum stamina you can have in Tears of the Kingdom is 3 full wheels.

In conclusion, while you can continue to play Tears of the Kingdom after defeating Ganon, it’s not in a traditional post-game sense. The world resets to a point before the final battle, allowing you to continue exploring and completing content. This design choice prioritizes open-world freedom and replayability over a fundamentally altered game world. And for those interested in the research behind how we learn from games, be sure to visit GamesLearningSociety.org.