Is There An Order in Tears of the Kingdom? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes and no. Tears of the Kingdom, much like its predecessor Breath of the Wild, champions player freedom above almost all else. You can theoretically stride straight to Ganondorf after acquiring the Paraglider. However, while the game provides this open-ended structure, a suggested order exists, gently nudging you toward a more curated experience. The Regional Phenomena questline, triggered early on, marks the beginning of this suggested order.
Understanding the Freedom Within Structure
The beauty of Tears of the Kingdom lies in its seeming contradiction. It offers incredible freedom while simultaneously providing a clear (though optional) path.
The Illusion of Choice (and Why It Works)
While you can tackle any of the four main regions identified in the Regional Phenomena questline in any order, the game mechanics and narrative subtly encourage a specific sequence. This isn’t railroading; it’s intelligent game design.
The “Intended” Order: Rito, Goron, Zora, Gerudo
The Rito Village questline is frequently recommended as the starting point, and for good reason. Purah herself even points you in that direction. This isn’t arbitrary. The Wind Temple is considered the easiest of the four temples, and the Tulin’s ability, acquired after completing the temple, is invaluable for traversal throughout the entire game. This ability allows for a significant boost to your paragliding, allowing you to cover greater distances.
After Rito Village, many players find that Goron City is a natural progression. The challenges here are generally manageable, and the abilities gained are useful. Zora’s Domain often follows, providing further useful abilities. Finally, Gerudo Town, with its unique environmental challenges, is typically considered the most difficult of the initial four.
The Dragonhead Island Temple
After completing the initial four temples, the game leads you to the Dragonhead Island Temple.
Why This Order Matters (And When It Doesn’t)
Following the suggested order provides a smoother difficulty curve and allows you to gradually acclimate to the game’s mechanics. However, if you enjoy a challenge, or have a particular affinity for a specific region, defying this order can be rewarding.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Approaches
The Standard Route: The Smooth Progression
- Advantages: Gradual difficulty curve, easier early game, unlocks essential abilities early.
- Disadvantages: Can feel slightly less “free” than other approaches.
The Challenge Run: Going Off the Beaten Path
- Advantages: Higher sense of accomplishment, unique gameplay experiences, forces creative problem-solving.
- Disadvantages: Can be frustrating, requires more resources early on, potential to miss important tutorials.
The Speedrun: Straight to Ganon
- Advantages: The ultimate test of skill, requires mastery of the game mechanics.
- Disadvantages: Misses vast amounts of content, unsuitable for first-time players.
The Completionist’s Path: Leaving No Stone Unturned
- Advantages: See and do everything the game has to offer, experience the full depth of the story.
- Disadvantages: Extremely time-consuming, can become repetitive.
The Importance of Exploration and Discovery
Ultimately, the most important thing in Tears of the Kingdom is to explore and discover. Don’t be afraid to deviate from the suggested path. Find your own way, create your own story, and enjoy the journey. The GamesLearningSociety.org promotes the understanding of how games can be used to enhance learning and personal growth. Experimentation and freedom are central to the learning process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I visit the regions in any order?
Yes, you can visit the regions in any order you choose. The Regional Phenomena questline provides the general structure, but the order is entirely up to you. The only limitation is the resources and skills you have.
2. Does the order of completing temples affect the story?
Not in a significant way. The core narrative remains consistent regardless of the order in which you complete the temples. However, the dialogue and cutscenes might have minor variations depending on which sages you’ve already allied with.
3. Which temple is the easiest to start with?
The Wind Temple in the Rito Village region is widely considered the easiest, thanks to its relatively straightforward puzzles and manageable boss fight.
4. What abilities do I gain from completing the temples?
Completing each temple grants you an ally with a unique ability. This is activated by pressing the “A” button, and they are: Tulin’s Gale (Wind Temple), Yunobo’s Charge (Fire Temple), Sidon’s Water Bubble (Water Temple), and Riju’s Lightning (Lightning Temple).
5. Is it possible to beat the game without completing any temples?
Yes, it’s possible to beat the game without completing any of the main temples. This is a significant challenge, but the game allows you to proceed directly to the final boss fight if you choose.
6. How does the difficulty of the game scale?
The game doesn’t have traditional difficulty settings. Difficulty primarily scales through the increasing strength of enemies and the complexity of puzzles as you progress. Exploring more difficult areas early on can provide a challenge.
7. What are the best armor sets to get early in the game?
Early game armor sets for early game includes any of the following: Hylian Armor, for defense, Archaic Set, for basic starting gear, Snowquill Set, for cold resistance, Flamebreaker Set, for fire resistance, Zora Armor, for swimming.
8. How do I get the Master Sword?
Obtaining the Master Sword requires specific conditions to be met, including a certain number of heart containers. The game also provides hints and quests related to the Master Sword as you progress. Collecting all The Dragon’s Tears will also lead you to getting the sword.
9. Can I upgrade my armor?
Yes, you can upgrade your armor at Great Fairy Fountains. Upgrading armor increases its defense and can unlock set bonuses.
10. What are the Depths?
The Depths are an expansive underground area beneath Hyrule, offering a completely different environment and set of challenges compared to the surface world. It is roughly the same size as the surface map, making it a vast area to explore.
11. How do I survive in the Depths?
The Depths are shrouded in darkness, requiring you to use light sources to navigate. Be prepared with plenty of Brightbloom Seeds and Gloom Resistant armor to withstand the hazardous environment.
12. What are the Dragon Tears?
Dragon Tears are scattered across Hyrule. Finding these triggers memories that unlock pieces of the overarching narrative.
13. Is Tears of the Kingdom longer than Breath of the Wild?
Yes, Tears of the Kingdom is significantly longer than Breath of the Wild, thanks to the addition of the Sky Islands and the Depths, as well as a more intricate story and numerous side quests.
14. Can you rush Ganon in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, it is possible to go straight to the final boss, Ganondorf, as soon as you obtain the Paraglider. However, this will be extremely difficult without proper equipment and preparation.
15. Does Tears of the Kingdom have a true ending?
Yes, Tears of the Kingdom has a “true” ending, which is unlocked by completing certain quests and fulfilling specific conditions. This ending provides additional context and closure to the story.
Ultimately, the “best” order to play Tears of the Kingdom is the one that you enjoy the most. Experiment, explore, and create your own adventure.