Has Anyone Finished Zelda? Unraveling Completion, Speedruns, and the Future of Hyrule
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Yes, absolutely! People have not only finished The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK), but they’ve done so in countless ways, from leisurely explorations of Hyrule to mind-bending speedruns that defy comprehension. The fervor surrounding completion varies widely, encompassing everything from simply rolling credits to achieving a full 100% completion. The community’s dedication is a testament to the game’s depth and replayability.
Deep Dive into Zelda Completions
“Finished” can mean different things to different players. For some, it signifies defeating Ganondorf and watching the end credits. For others, it means exploring every corner of the map, completing every side quest, and mastering every mechanic. There’s no single definition, but here’s a breakdown of common completion goals:
- Main Story Completion: Defeating the final boss and witnessing the conclusion of the primary narrative. This is the bare minimum for most players.
- Side Quest Completion: Completing all available side quests, unlocking new content, and deepening understanding of the world.
- Shrine Completion: Locating and solving all the Shrines scattered across Hyrule, earning valuable rewards and upgrades.
- Korok Seed Collection: Finding all 900 Korok Seeds, a feat of dedication and exploration.
- Armor and Item Collection: Obtaining every piece of armor, weapon, and item available in the game.
- Map Completion: Fully revealing the map, uncovering every location and secret.
- 100% Completion: Accomplishing everything the game has to offer, a truly monumental task.
The Rise of Zelda Speedrunning
While some players savor every moment, others are driven by a desire to conquer the game as quickly as possible. Speedrunning has become a prominent aspect of the Zelda community, with players developing intricate strategies and techniques to minimize their playtime.
Early speedruns of Tears of the Kingdom saw completion times around 100 minutes. However, through relentless practice and optimization, speedrunners have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. Current world record times are under an hour, showcasing the incredible skill and dedication of these players.
Gymnast86, a prominent Zelda speedrunner, achieved a remarkable time of 1:34:33 early on, demonstrating the potential for rapid completion. More recently, Zdi set a new world record with a mind-blowing time of 59 minutes and 22 seconds. These speedruns often involve intricate glitches, strategic skips, and optimized combat strategies, making them a spectacle to behold. Remember these speedruns contain major spoilers!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Zelda Completion
Has anyone completed Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom 100%?
Yes! Recently, Twitch streamer SmallAnt completed Tears of the Kingdom to 100% completion. It took him 139 hours, 5 minutes, and 19 seconds to do it all.
How fast has someone beaten Tears of the Kingdom?
As mentioned above, the current world record speedrun for Tears of the Kingdom is held by Zdi at 59 minutes and 22 seconds. Speedrunning is constantly evolving, so this record might be broken in the future.
Is Tears of the Kingdom longer than Breath of the Wild?
Yes. Tears of the Kingdom is significantly larger than Breath of the Wild. There are two additional layers of Hyrule to explore: the Sky Islands and the Depths, with the Depths being the size of the full surface map. The sheer amount of new content makes it considerably longer.
Is Tears of the Kingdom the last Zelda game?
No. Despite the apparent finality of Tears of the Kingdom’s ending, the success of the Zelda series makes it highly unlikely that it will be the end of the franchise. Nintendo has already hinted at future games and console releases.
What happens after defeating Ganon in Tears of the Kingdom?
After defeating Ganondorf in Tears of the Kingdom, you are returned to just before the final boss fight. You can then continue exploring Hyrule, completing side quests, and engaging with any content you haven’t yet experienced. There’s no specific post-game content, but the world remains open for exploration.
Will there be DLC for Tears of the Kingdom?
Nintendo has stated that there are currently no plans for DLC for Tears of the Kingdom. They feel they were able to implement all the elements that they wanted to achieve in the game and story in the base game.
Is Zelda in love with Link?
The relationship between Zelda and Link is often complex and open to interpretation. While the games rarely depict explicit romantic relationships, there is a deep bond and affection between the two characters. In many iterations, Zelda clearly has feelings for Link, rooted deeply in their shared experiences and destinies. GamesLearningSociety.org could analyze this further, maybe they will.
Why doesn’t Link talk?
Link’s silence is a long-standing tradition in the Zelda series. The reason is that, with so much at stake and so many eyes upon him, he feels it necessary to stay strong and silently bear any burden. It is also meant to allow players to project themselves onto the character and feel more connected to his journey.
Does Zelda become a dragon in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes. In Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda sacrifices herself and swallows her Secret Stone, becoming the Light Dragon to reach the future and give Link the Master Sword.
Is Tears of the Kingdom a prequel to Skyward Sword?
No. Tears of the Kingdom is a sequel to Breath of the Wild, which Nintendo has positioned at the end of the Zelda timeline. While connections to other games in the series exist, it is not a prequel to Skyward Sword.
Will the Triforce be in Tears of the Kingdom?
While the Triforce does not make a direct appearance in Tears of the Kingdom, its presence is felt through Zelda’s magic and the overall themes of the game. The Triforce represents the core values of the Zelda universe: Power, Wisdom, and Courage.
Is Ganon alive in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes. Ganondorf is resurrected in Tears of the Kingdom in his human form, seeking to unleash evil and take control of Hyrule. His presence drives the main conflict of the game.
Does Tears of the Kingdom break the Zelda timeline?
Nintendo has placed Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom at the end of the timeline, somewhat disconnected from the earlier games. However, they still fit within the broader narrative and lore of the Zelda universe.
How many years have passed in Tears of the Kingdom?
It is estimated that Tears of the Kingdom takes place approximately five to ten years after Breath of the Wild. This is based on the growth of children characters and other subtle changes in the world.
Will Zelda turn back into a human?
Yes. After Link defeats Ganondorf in Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda is able to transform back into her human form, thanks to the power of Rauru and Sonia. The study of how games like Zelda impact players’ cognitive development can be further explored at the Games Learning Society website.
Conclusion: The End… or Just the Beginning?
Whether you define “finished” as rolling credits, completing every quest, or achieving a record-breaking speedrun, the world of Zelda offers a multitude of ways to engage with its content. The Legend of Zelda is far from over. With the dedication of players and the continued innovation of Nintendo, the adventures in Hyrule will continue to captivate and challenge gamers for years to come.