Delving Deep: The Truth About Post-Game Content in Tears of the Kingdom
No, there is not a traditional post-game in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. After defeating Ganondorf and watching the ending cutscenes, the game returns you to the title screen. Upon reloading, you’ll find yourself at the save point just before the final boss battle. This means you can’t explore a Hyrule permanently altered by Ganondorf’s defeat. While it’s disappointing for some, this design choice allows players to continue completing side quests, exploring the world, and tackling any remaining challenges with all their acquired abilities and gear. It’s less a traditional post-game and more a continuation of your pre-endgame adventure, now with a completion percentage tracker to fuel your completionist tendencies.
Understanding the Post-Ganondorf Experience
Many players expecting a dramatically changed world after vanquishing evil were understandably surprised by Tears of the Kingdom‘s approach. Unlike some RPGs that offer a new chapter or altered map after the final boss, TOTK essentially rewinds time. However, this doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do after seeing the credits roll. Quite the opposite! It’s more accurate to say that the game encourages you to embrace a non-linear style of gameplay, where your post-“ending” experience becomes focused on tying up loose ends and exploring all that Hyrule has to offer.
Embracing the “Before”
Returning to the world before the final battle might seem counterintuitive, but it allows you to experience the game’s world with the knowledge of the story. Now you are free to focus on the following activities:
- Completing all Side Quests and Adventures: Many optional storylines add depth and context to Hyrule.
- Finding all the Shrines: With 152 shrines scattered across the land and sky, completing them all is a worthy challenge.
- Collecting Korok Seeds: All 1,000 of them (or, technically, solving 800 puzzles)!
- Upgrading Armor: Maxing out your favorite armor sets provides a significant defensive boost.
- Experimenting with Fusion: Discovering new and powerful weapon combinations is an endless source of fun.
- Exploring the Depths: The vast underground world holds secrets and resources aplenty.
- Unlocking Memories: Gathering all the Dragon Tears will unlock the “true ending” cutscene.
The Completion Percentage and its Implications
One of the most significant changes after beating Ganondorf is the addition of a completion percentage on your map. This percentage tracks your progress in various areas, including:
- Map Discovery: Exploring every nook and cranny of Hyrule’s surface, sky islands, and Depths.
- Shrine Completion: Finishing all 152 shrines.
- Korok Seed Collection: Finding those pesky 1,000 Korok Seeds.
- Location Discovery: Discovering all named locations.
The percentage acts as a motivator for completionists, providing a tangible goal beyond simply finishing the main story. It provides a framework to guide you through the world, showcasing areas you may have missed and motivating you to explore them.
The “True” Ending
While the core story doesn’t change, achieving the “True” Ending by completing all main story quests and obtaining the Master Sword rewards players with an additional, nearly six-minute cutscene after the credits. This cutscene provides additional closure and a hopeful glimpse into the future of Hyrule.
Post-Game vs. Extended Gameplay
It’s crucial to distinguish between a traditional post-game and the extended gameplay experience offered by Tears of the Kingdom. A traditional post-game often involves significant changes to the game world or the introduction of new storylines after the final boss is defeated. TOTK does not offer this. Instead, it encourages players to continue exploring and completing content from before the final battle, armed with their knowledge of the story’s events. This is arguably a more immersive and player-driven approach, as it allows you to shape your own post-“ending” experience.
Nintendo’s choice here also aligns with their philosophy of prioritizing player freedom and exploration. Rather than dictating a specific post-game path, they empower players to define their own goals and objectives within the game’s vast world. This is evident by not providing an extensive amount of details in the game.
FAQs: Addressing Your Tears of the Kingdom Post-Game Questions
1. Will there be DLC in Tears of the Kingdom?
According to Aonuma, the producer of the game, there are currently no plans for DLC for Tears of the Kingdom. He stated that they were able to implement all the elements they wanted to achieve within the existing game world and story. Of course, plans can change, but as of now, there is no new content coming.
2. Can you play after defeating Ganondorf in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, but you’re taken back to the save before the final battle. You can continue exploring Hyrule, completing side quests, and pursuing other activities, but the world state remains unchanged.
3. Does Tears of the Kingdom have multiple endings?
Yes. While the main story events remain consistent, getting the “True” Ending involves completing all main story quests and obtaining the Master Sword, unlocking an additional post-credits scene.
4. What changes after beating Tears of the Kingdom?
The most significant change is the addition of a completion percentage to your map, tracking your progress in various areas of Hyrule. You also get a star on your save file to indicate you’ve defeated Ganondorf.
5. Will Tears of the Kingdom be the last Zelda game?
Highly unlikely. Despite the seeming finality of the ending, the Zelda series remains incredibly popular, and Nintendo will almost certainly continue the franchise with new titles in the future.
6. Will the Triforce be in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Triforce is not explicitly shown in Tears of the Kingdom, although that does not mean the artifact is not within her.
7. How do you get the secret ending in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom?
To unlock the “True” Ending, complete all main story quests and obtain the Master Sword. This will trigger the additional cutscene after the credits roll.
8. Does Zelda turn back from a dragon?
Yes, after Link defeats Ganondorf, Zelda is restored to her human form with the help of Rauru and Sonia.
9. Can you keep playing TOTK after defeating Ganondorf?
Yes, but you’re reverted to the save state before the final battle. You can then continue exploring and completing content.
10. Is there a New Game Plus in TOTK?
Unfortunately, Tears of the Kingdom does not have a New Game Plus mode at launch.
11. Will Tears of the Kingdom have Twilight content?
While not a central theme, Tears of the Kingdom includes the Twilight Armor as a throwback to Twilight Princess.
12. Should I play Breath of the Wild again before Tears of the Kingdom?
Not necessarily, but it can help you familiarize yourself with the basic controls and world. Breath of the Wild is a fantastic game in its own right, so it’s worth playing regardless.
13. Will Tears of the Kingdom be longer than Breath of the Wild?
Yes, Tears of the Kingdom is significantly larger than Breath of the Wild, with two additional layers to explore: the sky islands and the Depths.
14. Why is Link shirtless at the end of Tears of the Kingdom?
This is likely a design choice to emphasize the restoration of his arm and to avoid obscuring the emotional impact of the scene with armor.
15. What happened to the Sheikah slate in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Sheikah Slate disappeared after the Calamity was defeated, and the exact reason for its disappearance remains a mystery within the game’s lore.
Final Thoughts: A Different Kind of Post-Game Experience
While Tears of the Kingdom lacks a traditional post-game with new storylines, it compensates with a vast and engaging world that encourages exploration and completion. The completion percentage acts as a compelling motivator, guiding players to uncover every secret and challenge Hyrule has to offer. It may not be the post-game some players expected, but it’s a testament to the game’s commitment to player freedom and open-world exploration. Furthermore, for those interested in studying the educational implications of gaming, the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) offers resources and insights into how games can be used as a learning tool. Embracing the “before” allows you to craft your own unique post-“ending” adventure, making the experience all the more personal and rewarding.