How Long Does it Really Take to 100% Tears of the Kingdom?
The quest to conquer Hyrule is no small feat, especially when aiming for that coveted 100% completion in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK). Forget casual strolls through Hyrule Field; we’re talking about a full-blown commitment. So, the burning question: how long will it actually take you to achieve this monumental goal?
Realistically, aiming for 100% completion in Tears of the Kingdom will take most players between 150 and 250 hours. This isn’t just about blasting through the main storyline. This means conquering every shrine, scouring every cave, finding all the Koroks (yes, all of them), upgrading every armor piece, completing every side quest, and fully mapping out the surface, sky, and depths. Several factors influence this timeframe, including your gaming style, prior Zelda experience, and how efficiently you approach the various tasks. Some players, particularly those with a completionist streak, might even find themselves exceeding 250 hours.
The key is to understand what constitutes true 100% completion in Tears of the Kingdom. It’s far more than just seeing the credits roll. It’s about mastering every facet of the game world and its many challenges.
Breaking Down the Completionist’s To-Do List
Before diving into the FAQs, let’s outline the primary components driving that estimated 150-250 hour completion time. Keep in mind these are estimates that will vary depending on skill level, resource utilization, and personal preference.
- Main Story: While the main quest can be completed relatively quickly (around 50-60 hours), true completionists will engage with the narrative far more deeply, exploring every nook and cranny related to the overarching plot.
- Shrines: All 152 shrines must be located and completed. Finding them is often a puzzle in itself, and solving each one can take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour or more.
- Side Quests and Adventures: Hyrule is brimming with optional quests. Completing all of these adds a significant chunk of time to your playthrough. Many are simple fetch quests, while others involve complex puzzle-solving or challenging combat encounters.
- Korok Seeds: Prepare for the ultimate collect-a-thon. There are 1000 Korok seeds scattered across Hyrule. Finding them all requires meticulous exploration and a healthy dose of patience.
- Armor Upgrades: Each piece of armor can be upgraded multiple times, requiring specific materials that often need to be farmed from particular enemies or locations. Maxing out every set is a time-intensive process.
- Map Completion: Fully revealing the map, including the surface, sky islands, and the Depths, demands extensive exploration.
- Hyrule Compendium: Photographing every creature, monster, weapon, and plant to complete the Hyrule Compendium is another substantial undertaking.
- Cave Exploration: Numerous caves are found throughout Hyrule, with their own sets of puzzles, treasures, and challenges. Venturing in each of them will easily add extra hours to your gameplay.
Tears of the Kingdom Completion FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the time investment required for 100% completion in Tears of the Kingdom:
How many hours does it take to beat Tears of the Kingdom?
If you focus solely on the main story, you can beat Tears of the Kingdom in approximately 50-60 hours. However, this is without significant side content.
Is it possible to 100% Tears of the Kingdom in under 100 hours?
While theoretically possible for incredibly skilled and efficient players, it’s highly unlikely for the average gamer to achieve 100% completion in under 100 hours. Streamer SmallAnt finished the optional content in 139 hours. Speedrunners focus on beating the game as fast as possible, and thus do not aim for 100% completion.
What does 100% completion actually mean in Tears of the Kingdom?
100% completion typically includes completing all main story quests, side quests, shrine quests, finding all 152 shrines and their associated light of blessings, obtaining all 1,000 Korok Seeds, fully upgrading all available armor, discovering all locations, and fully exploring all areas of the map.
What is the reward for 100% completion in Tears of the Kingdom?
Unfortunately, there is no specific in-game reward for achieving 100% completion. The reward is the satisfaction of fully exploring and mastering the game.
How many shrines are there in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are a total of 152 shrines in Tears of the Kingdom, spread across the surface of Hyrule (120) and the Sky Islands (32).
How many Korok Seeds are there in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are a staggering 1,000 Korok Seeds hidden throughout Hyrule, demanding meticulous exploration to find them all. Although you are actually rewarded two Korok Seeds for returning lost Koroks to their friends, meaning you are only required to find 800 locations where Koroks are present.
Does Tears of the Kingdom have DLC?
As of now, Nintendo has stated that there are no plans for DLC for Tears of the Kingdom. They believe they’ve implemented all the content they wanted to achieve in the game.
Is the map in Tears of the Kingdom bigger than Breath of the Wild?
Yes, the map in Tears of the Kingdom is significantly bigger. It features the original surface map and also the sky and Depths which roughly doubles or even triples the explorable area.
Can you play after beating the final boss in Tears of the Kingdom?
After defeating the final boss, you receive a cinematic ending. However, the game reverts to a save point before the final battle, allowing you to continue exploring and completing side content with a star on the saved file to note the game has been completed.
What is the fastest speedrun time for Tears of the Kingdom?
As of the current date, speedrunners have completed the game in 55 minutes. However, this is for an Any% speedrun, which focuses on completing the game as quickly as possible without achieving full completion.
Is Tears of the Kingdom harder than Breath of the Wild?
Many players consider Tears of the Kingdom to be more challenging than Breath of the Wild, due to tougher enemies that can defeat Link in one hit, and the introduction of Gloom.
Does Tears of the Kingdom feature a Master Mode?
Currently, Tears of the Kingdom does not include a Master Mode.
Are there references to previous Zelda games in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, Tears of the Kingdom includes numerous references and callbacks to previous Zelda titles, rewarding long-time fans of the series. The Twilight Armor being one example.
What does “Any%” mean in the context of speedrunning Tears of the Kingdom?
An “Any%” speedrun means completing the game as quickly as possible, regardless of how many side quests or optional objectives are completed. It’s about reaching the end credits by any means necessary.
What makes Tears of the Kingdom a good game for learning?
Games such as Tears of the Kingdom, offer rich environments for players to learn and develop complex problem-solving skills. As noted on GamesLearningSociety.org, understanding these elements can greatly enhance our educational and gaming experience. Tears of the Kingdom stands out in this aspect by promoting creativity and exploration. Through in-game challenges like shrine puzzles, players enhance their critical thinking skills and develop creative solutions. The act of building structures from basic elements or finding innovative ways to use the environment not only enhances engagement but also promotes a deeper understanding of game mechanics.
Ultimately, 100% completing Tears of the Kingdom is a marathon, not a sprint. Embrace the journey, savor the discoveries, and prepare to dedicate a significant chunk of time to truly conquer every corner of Hyrule. Good luck, and may your sword always be sharp!