Is Buying a House in Zelda Worth It? A Comprehensive Guide
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Absolutely! Buying a house in both Breath of the Wild (BOTW) and Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK) is overwhelmingly worth the investment. While the initial cost might seem steep, the benefits—including free health restoration, weapon storage, and unique gameplay opportunities—far outweigh the financial burden. Let’s delve into why owning property in Hyrule is a game-changer.
The Allure of Homeownership in Hyrule
The Zelda franchise, particularly BOTW and TOTK, offers players a vast open world filled with adventure, danger, and discovery. Amidst all the chaos, having a personal sanctuary provides a much-needed respite. A home in Hyrule is more than just a safe space; it’s a strategic asset.
Benefits in Breath of the Wild
In BOTW, purchasing the house in Hateno Village unlocks several significant advantages:
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Free Health Restoration: Sleeping in your own bed fully restores Link’s health, saving you precious food and resources. This is especially useful when preparing for tough battles or exploring dangerous regions.
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Weapon Storage: The house comes equipped with weapon mounts, allowing you to store valuable weapons, bows, and shields. This is crucial for managing your inventory and preserving powerful gear that you might not want to use immediately.
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Side Quests and Story Progression: Acquiring and upgrading your house is tied to certain side quests and character interactions, adding depth to the game’s narrative.
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Blood Moon Preparation: As mentioned in the provided article, your house is the best location for waiting until the blood moon rises.
Benefits in Tears of the Kingdom
TOTK takes homeownership to a whole new level with its customizable housing system:
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Customization: Players can design and build their dream home by adding various rooms and features, creating a truly personalized space.
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Storage and Display: Similar to BOTW, you can store weapons, armor, and other items in your house, but with much more flexibility in how you display them.
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Fast Travel Point: Your house acts as a convenient fast travel point, allowing you to quickly return to a familiar location.
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Creative Expression: The customization options allow for creative expression, enhancing your overall gameplay experience. Arrange the rooms however you like, create a paddock for your horse, and more.
The Financial Investment: Is It Justified?
The cost of buying and upgrading a house in Zelda games can be significant, especially early in the game. In BOTW, the initial purchase of the house in Hateno Village requires 3,000 Rupees and 30 bundles of wood. While the initial price offered by Bolson is 50,000 Rupees, he relents after learning that you’re willing to take on the task of renovating the place. Upgrades cost an additional 100 Rupees each, which is relatively inexpensive once you’re further into the game.
In TOTK, the cost varies depending on the scale and complexity of your home. Players must consider the expenses for new rooms, decorations, and features. However, given the game’s expansive world and the benefits that come with homeownership, the investment is generally considered worthwhile.
Making Rupees: Practical Strategies
Earning Rupees efficiently is key to making homeownership a reality. Here are some proven strategies:
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Monster Part Farming: Common monster parts, like Bokoblin horns and Moblin fangs, can be sold in bulk for a decent profit.
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Gem Mining: Mining ore deposits yields valuable gems like Amber, Opal, and Ruby, which fetch high prices at shops. Remember to hold onto some of these gems for armor upgrades later in the game!
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Completing Side Quests: Many side quests offer substantial Rupee rewards, providing a steady income stream.
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Hunting: Hunting animals in areas like the South Tabantha Snowfield can yield prime meat ingredients. Cooking these into dishes can create high-value meals for sale. As one Reddit user pointed out, you can earn around 10,000 Rupees an hour using this method!
Maximizing Resources: What to Keep and What to Sell
Effective resource management is essential for both funding your home purchase and upgrading your gear. A good rule of thumb is to keep rarer items and sell common ones.
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Keep: Rare monster parts (like Lynel hooves), valuable gems (like Diamonds and Luminous Stones), and ingredients needed for outfit upgrades.
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Sell: Excess common monster parts, common gems (like Amber and Opal), and cooked dishes that are not essential for your current needs.
Anytime you get above 200 monster parts, feel free to sell the excess. Unless you’re upgrading amiibo gear, anything above like 200 amber/opal and above like 60 ruby/sapphire/topaz is sellable.
Community and Scholarly Perspectives on Gaming
The appeal of owning a house in Zelda games extends beyond mere gameplay mechanics. It taps into a deeper sense of personal agency, accomplishment, and immersion. Building and customizing your virtual home provides a creative outlet and a sense of ownership within the game world.
The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) studies the educational and social impact of video games, including the ways in which games like Zelda foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and a sense of community among players. Owning a house within the game provides a physical location where those bonds are strengthened and the community is built.
Is Buying a House in Zelda Worth It? FAQs
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the benefits and considerations of buying a house in Zelda games:
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How much does the house in Hateno Village cost in BOTW?
The house in Hateno Village initially seems to cost 50,000 rupees, but you can purchase it for 3,000 Rupees and 30 bundles of wood.
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What can I do with my house in BOTW?
You can sleep to restore your health, store weapons on weapon mounts, and complete side quests. It’s also a great place to wait for a Blood Moon.
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Can I decorate my house in BOTW?
While the house is not extensively customizable in BOTW, you can purchase upgrades that add features like weapon mounts and a cooking pot.
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How do I get 30 bundles of wood quickly in BOTW?
Chop down trees using an axe or bomb them. Woodpiles are also commonly found near stables and towns.
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What happens to Link’s house in TOTK?
Link’s house is still there, but Princess Zelda seems to own it, hinting at their closer relationship.
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Can I customize my house in TOTK?
Yes! TOTK offers extensive house customization options, allowing you to add and arrange rooms as you like.
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How do I make money quickly in TOTK?
Sell valuable gems, cook and sell high-value meals, and complete side quests. Farming monster parts is also an effective strategy.
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What items should I sell in Zelda games?
Sell excess common monster parts, common gems, and cooked dishes that you don’t need.
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What items should I keep in Zelda games?
Keep rare monster parts, valuable gems, and ingredients needed for outfit upgrades.
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Is it worth upgrading my house in BOTW?
Yes, upgrading your house is worth it for the additional weapon mounts and other amenities.
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Can I move my house in TOTK?
Yes, you can move rooms in your house.
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Does owning a house affect the story in Zelda games?
Owning a house can unlock certain side quests and character interactions, enriching the game’s narrative.
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Is there a benefit to having a house other than storage and health restoration?
Yes, it provides a sense of ownership, a fast travel point, and a place to express your creativity through customization (especially in TOTK).
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Do I have to buy the Gerudo clothes for 600 rupees?
Yes, the set can be purchased from Vilia on top of the Kara Kara Bazaar for 600 Rupees as part of the “Forbidden City Entry” Main Quest.
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Should I sell Amber Tears of the Kingdom?
You shouldn’t sell amber, you should save them. Players should try to save their Amber, Flint, Luminous Stone, Opal, and Zonaite, as those are the Ores that are needed in the largest quantities.
Final Thoughts
Owning a house in Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom is undeniably a worthwhile investment. The benefits extend beyond practical advantages like health restoration and weapon storage, offering a deeper sense of immersion, personal agency, and creative expression. By mastering Rupee-earning strategies and managing your resources wisely, you can unlock the full potential of homeownership in Hyrule and enhance your overall gaming experience. Go forth, adventurer, and build your dream home!