Can You Still Play After You Beat Ganon? The Definitive Answer and More
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So, you’ve faced Calamity Ganon, or perhaps the Demon King Ganondorf, and emerged victorious! Congratulations, hero! But now you’re staring at the screen wondering: can I still play after I beat Ganon? The answer, while seemingly simple, actually has a few important nuances depending on which Legend of Zelda game you’re playing. In most cases, the game acknowledges your victory but then reverts to a point before the final boss battle. Let’s break it down.
The “Post-Game” Paradox in The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda series, while consistently acclaimed for its gameplay, storytelling, and world design, traditionally avoids a true “post-game” in the way we often see it in other RPGs. You won’t find Ganon gone, Hyrule rebuilt, and new quests popping up left and right after the credits roll. Instead, what you get is something a little more subtle, and arguably, just as valuable.
Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom: Victory with a Twist
In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, defeating Ganon (or Ganondorf) doesn’t fundamentally alter the game world. Hyrule remains in its pre-defeated state. However, the game does acknowledge your accomplishment. A star icon appears on your save file, a badge of honor indicating you’ve conquered the main quest.
This means you can continue exploring, completing side quests, tackling shrines, and generally doing everything you were doing before your final confrontation. In Breath of the Wild, you also unlock the ability to obtain Medals of Honor from Kilton by defeating all iterations of specific sub-bosses across Hyrule. Tears of the Kingdom allows you to continue cleaning up any unfinished business, experimenting with new builds, and enjoying the sheer freedom the game offers. You can’t actually play in a Hyrule without Ganon’s influence, but you do get to keep the experience and the feeling of having saved the day.
Older Zelda Titles: A More Definite Ending
In older Zelda games, such as Twilight Princess, the ending is typically more definitive. After defeating Ganon, the game concludes, and there’s no direct continuation. You’re essentially done. If you want to revisit the game world to collect items or complete side quests, you’ll need to load an earlier save file from before the final battle. This makes planning your gameplay crucial if you wish to wrap things up before taking on the big boss.
Why No True Post-Game?
The design choice to avoid a true post-game likely stems from a few factors. One is the focus on player freedom and exploration. Allowing players to continue exploring the world before the final confrontation maintains the sense of urgency and purpose that drives the main quest. If Ganon were defeated and Hyrule were fully restored, there would be less motivation to complete many of the game’s objectives.
Another factor is the narrative impact. The Legend of Zelda games often rely on a cyclical narrative of good versus evil. Permanently defeating Ganon would break this cycle, potentially diminishing the thematic resonance of the series. By resetting the world to its pre-defeated state, the games preserve the ongoing struggle between light and darkness. Further considerations on how games impact learning and broader societal contexts can be found on websites such as GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Playing After Beating Ganon
Here are some common questions players have about the post-Ganon experience in The Legend of Zelda games:
1. Do Blood Moons stop after defeating Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
No. The Blood Moons continue to occur even after you defeat Ganon in Breath of the Wild. The game world remains in its “cursed” state, ensuring the constant respawning of enemies and the ongoing challenge of survival.
2. What unlocks after beating Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
Besides the star on your save file, defeating Calamity Ganon in Breath of the Wild unlocks the opportunity to receive Medals of Honor from Kilton. These are awarded for defeating all iterations of specific sub-bosses (Taluses, Hinoxes/Stalnoxes, and Moldugas) across Hyrule.
3. Can you do the DLC after beating Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
Absolutely! You can tackle the DLC content, including The Master Trials and The Champions’ Ballad, at any point in the game, before or after defeating Ganon. You’ll simply be placed back before the final boss battle when you load your save.
4. Should I play Champion’s Ballad before or after Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
While it doesn’t impact gameplay, many players recommend playing Champion’s Ballad before facing Ganon. Chronologically, it takes place before the final battle and provides valuable backstory and character development for the Champions.
5. Is “Destroy Ganondorf” the last quest in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, “Destroy Ganondorf” is the final main quest in Tears of the Kingdom. It signals the culmination of your journey and the ultimate confrontation with the Demon King.
6. Can you keep playing Breath of the Wild after beating Ganon?
Yes, you can continue playing Breath of the Wild after defeating Ganon. Your save file will show a star icon indicating your victory, and you can continue exploring, completing side quests, and collecting items.
7. What happens if you beat Ganon early in Breath of the Wild?
If you head straight to Hyrule Castle and defeat Ganon early in Breath of the Wild, the game will place a star next to your save file. You can then continue exploring the world and completing other objectives, with the knowledge that you’ve already saved Hyrule.
8. Do Divine Beasts help in the final battle?
Yes, freeing the Divine Beasts does offer assistance in the final battle against Calamity Ganon in Breath of the Wild. Each Divine Beast weakens Ganon, making the final encounter easier.
9. Can you refight Ganon?
Yes. If you choose to replay the boss fight against Ganon, simply load your save file with the star. You’ll be placed right before the battle, ready to take on the challenge again.
10. Does the Master Sword break against Ganon?
The Master Sword is unique in its durability during the Ganondorf fight in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Unlike other weapons, it doesn’t break, making it a reliable choice for the final confrontation. In Breath of the Wild if the sword is low on energy it might break.
11. What happens when you free all the Divine Beasts in Breath of the Wild?
After freeing all four Divine Beasts, Princess Zelda communicates that you’ve also freed the spirits of the Champions, further bolstering your support against Calamity Ganon.
12. What is the best weapon to use against Ganon?
Powerful bows, like Lynel Bows and Forest Dweller’s Bow, are highly effective against Ganon in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. They allow you to shoot multiple arrows simultaneously, maximizing your damage output. The Ancient Arrows can be a devastating single-use option as well.
13. Can you upgrade the Master Sword in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, you can upgrade the Master Sword in Breath of the Wild by completing The Master Trials DLC. This upgrade increases the sword’s power and makes it permanently unbreakable.
14. What does the star on the save file mean?
The star on the save file is simply an indicator that you have defeated the final boss. It is a mark of completion, but is not the actual reward or a mechanic that changes the gameplay.
15. Is Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom the last Zelda game?
No, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is not the end of the series. While its immediate successor may arrive on a new console, Nintendo has confirmed that the Zelda series will continue.