Unveiling the Ultimate Hyrule Completionist: What Do You Get for 100% Breath of the Wild?
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So, you’ve decided to embark on the epic journey of truly conquering Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. You’re not just slaying Ganon; you’re aiming for that coveted 100% completion rate. But what tangible rewards await the ultimate completionist? The short answer is, disappointingly, very little in terms of in-game unlocks after achieving the feat. There’s no grand cutscene revealing a hidden ending beyond the true ending accessible by finding all memories, no super-powered weapon bestowed upon you, and no parade held in your honor by the denizens of Hyrule. The real reward is the personal satisfaction, sense of accomplishment, and deep understanding of the intricate and beautiful world Nintendo meticulously crafted. The 100% mark on your map is your trophy.
What constitutes that 100%? The game tracks completion based on the in-game map completion percentage. This is based upon locations discovered, shrines completed and Korok seed locations discovered.
However, if you’re talking about “100%” in a broader sense – meaning experiencing everything the game has to offer, from completing all shrines and dungeons to finishing the DLC and unlocking all memories – then the true reward is the journey itself, the countless hours of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat that solidify Breath of the Wild as a gaming masterpiece. It means facing every challenge, mastering every skill, and truly immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of Hyrule’s lore and its inhabitants’ stories. It’s about becoming a Hyrulean legend in your own right.
The Elusive Map Completion: A Breakdown
Before diving into the lack of rewards, let’s be clear on what contributes to the map completion percentage:
- Location Discovery: Discovering new locations, villages, and landmarks contributes a small percentage. The more you explore, the higher this number climbs.
- Shrines: Completing all 120 shrines is a significant factor. Each shrine presents a unique challenge, testing your combat prowess, puzzle-solving skills, and understanding of the game’s physics.
- Korok Seeds: Ah, the infamous Korok seeds. While there are 900 scattered across Hyrule, they are the most controversial aspect of 100% completion. While individually finding them can be fun mini-puzzles, the sheer number of seeds required to get them all is a time sink.
What doesn’t count toward this percentage? Side quests, main quests, defeating specific enemies, collecting every item in the game (weapons, armor, ingredients), or fully upgrading your armor. The game does track these elements in your Adventure Log, but they don’t influence that all-important map percentage.
The “Reward” (or Lack Thereof)
Once you achieve 100% on the map, there’s no dramatic in-game event, no special cutscene, and no new abilities unlocked. You simply have the satisfaction of seeing that number proudly displayed on your map screen. Many players find this disappointing, especially considering the dedication required to find all 900 Korok seeds.
The infamous reward for collecting all 900 Korok seeds is Hestu’s Gift, a golden pile of… well, let’s just say it’s reminiscent of a golden turd. It’s essentially a gag item with no practical use. It serves as a symbol of your dedication (or perhaps your insanity) but doesn’t offer any gameplay benefits.
The Real Rewards: Intangible but Invaluable
Despite the lack of tangible rewards, the true benefits of 100% completing Breath of the Wild lie in the experience itself:
- Deep Understanding of Hyrule: You’ll become intimately familiar with every nook and cranny of Hyrule, discovering hidden secrets, breathtaking vistas, and intriguing lore that you might have missed during a casual playthrough.
- Mastering Gameplay Mechanics: Completing all shrines and challenges forces you to master the game’s combat, puzzle-solving, and exploration mechanics. You’ll become a true Zelda master.
- Personal Satisfaction: There’s an undeniable sense of accomplishment that comes from conquering such a vast and challenging world. Knowing you’ve seen and done everything Breath of the Wild has to offer is a reward in itself.
- A Deeper Appreciation for the Game: A 100% run allows you to appreciate the artistry, world design, and overall brilliance of Breath of the Wild on a whole new level.
Choosing Your Own Adventure (Towards 100%?)
Ultimately, whether or not it’s “worth it” to 100% complete Breath of the Wild is a personal decision. If you’re driven by tangible rewards and gameplay advantages, you might be disappointed. However, if you enjoy exploring, solving puzzles, and immersing yourself in a rich and engaging world, the journey to 100% can be incredibly rewarding.
Perhaps the best approach is to focus on completing the content that you find enjoyable, such as shrines, side quests, and DLC. If you find yourself getting burned out on Korok seed hunting, don’t feel obligated to continue. Remember, the goal is to have fun and experience the game in a way that is meaningful to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is there an actual reward for reaching 100% map completion in Breath of the Wild?
No, there is no tangible in-game reward or special cutscene for achieving 100% map completion. The reward is purely the personal satisfaction of completing everything that contributes to the map percentage.
2. What elements are factored into the 100% completion rate?
The 100% completion rate on the map is based on the discovery of locations, the completion of all 120 shrines, and the discovery of all 900 Korok seed locations.
3. Do side quests count toward the 100% completion rate?
No, side quests do not contribute to the map completion percentage.
4. Does defeating all the enemies count toward 100% completion?
No, defeating all the different kinds of enemies does not count.
5. What is Hestu’s Gift, and how do you get it?
Hestu’s Gift is a golden item given to you by Hestu after collecting all 900 Korok seeds. It’s a humorous but ultimately useless item.
6. Is it worth getting all 900 Korok seeds?
That depends on your play style. From a pure gameplay perspective, no. The reward isn’t particularly useful. However, if you enjoy exploring and completing challenges, you might find the process rewarding.
7. What happens after you defeat Calamity Ganon?
After defeating Calamity Ganon, you are returned to your last save point before the final battle. Your save file will have a star indicating you’ve beaten the game, and you can continue exploring Hyrule.
8. How long does it take to 100% complete Breath of the Wild?
The time it takes to 100% complete Breath of the Wild varies depending on your play style and experience. On average, it takes around 190 hours.
9. What is the true ending in Breath of the Wild?
The true ending is unlocked by finding all of Link’s recovered memories before defeating Ganon. It adds a short additional cutscene.
10. Can you still play Tears of the Kingdom after beating Ganon?
Yes, similarly to Breath of the Wild, after beating the final boss you are put back right before you fought him to continue playing, doing side quests, and unlocking more.
11. How is map completion calculated if I dupe Korok Seeds?
Duping the Korok seeds does not count as discovering the location on the map.
12. Is the “Trial of the Sword” from the DLC factored into 100% completion?
No, like side quests it is not factored into 100% completion.
13. What is the Games Learning Society?
The Games Learning Society is a professional organization dedicated to advancing research and promoting best practices in the use of games for learning. You can learn more by visiting GamesLearningSociety.org.
14. Are Lynels factored into the 100% completion?
No, slaying every Lynel is not part of the 100% completion, even though it might feel like an achievement!
15. What is the hardest Zelda game to 100%?
While subjective, many argue that Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is the most difficult Zelda game to 100% due to its challenging gameplay and obscure secrets. Breath of the Wild can be considered a time-consuming, but enjoyable experience.