What Happens After Beating Tears of the Kingdom: Is There a Post-Ganon World?
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So, you’ve finally done it. You’ve stared down the Demon King Ganondorf, wielded the Master Sword with unwavering resolve, and saved Hyrule (again!) in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. But as the credits roll and the adrenaline fades, a single question lingers: What now? What awaits in the post-game? Unlike some titles that whisk you away to a changed world brimming with new quests or a direct continuation of the story, Tears of the Kingdom takes a more familiar approach. After the final cutscenes conclude, you’re returned to the title screen. Selecting “Continue” reloads your save file to a point just before the final confrontation with Ganondorf. While there’s no true post-game world where Hyrule acknowledges your victory, the adventure is far from over. Your save file will now be marked with a star, indicating you’ve defeated the final boss, and the game will track your completion percentage of the game to show what places you have visited, collectibles you have found, and more. This allows you to mop up any remaining side quests, explore uncharted territories, and delve deeper into the game’s many intricate systems, knowing you’ve already secured Hyrule’s future.
Unlocking the True Ending and Completionist Goals
Beating the game isn’t just about watching the credits. It unlocks a few things, most notably the potential to see the “True” ending. This requires you to have completed all main story quests, obtained the Master Sword, and viewed all the Dragon Tears memories found by investigating the Geoglyphs across Hyrule. The “True” ending doesn’t alter the story’s outcome, but it adds a significant, emotionally resonant cutscene after the credits, providing a more complete sense of closure.
Beyond the story, defeating Ganondorf opens up a world of completionist possibilities. The game now tracks your progress towards 100% completion, encouraging you to uncover every location, complete every shrine, and gather every collectible. This includes finding all 152 shrines and unlocking the Ancient Hero’s Aspect. It’s a chance to truly master the game and experience everything Tears of the Kingdom has to offer.
Embracing the Freedom and Discovery
Ultimately, what happens after beating Tears of the Kingdom is up to you. The game doesn’t force you down a specific path. Instead, it empowers you to continue exploring and experimenting in a world you’ve helped save. Whether you’re meticulously tracking down every Korok seed (even if the reward is, well, underwhelming) or simply enjoying the freedom of soaring through the skies on your latest Zonai device creation, the post-Ganon world is a canvas for your continued adventure. This gameplay aligns well with insights from the Games Learning Society, highlighting the value of open-world environments in fostering player agency and self-directed learning. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more on that topic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Tears of the Kingdom’s Post-Game
1. Is there a New Game Plus mode in Tears of the Kingdom?
Unfortunately, Tears of the Kingdom does not include a New Game Plus mode. You cannot start a new game with your existing equipment and upgrades.
2. Can I keep playing after beating Ganondorf?
Yes! After the final boss fight and ending cutscenes, the game will boot you back to the title screen. Selecting “Continue” will load your save file to a point just before the final battle, allowing you to continue exploring Hyrule with a star on your save file to mark your victory.
3. What is the reward for completing all shrines in Tears of the Kingdom?
Completing all 152 shrines unlocks the Ancient Hero’s Aspect, a unique armor set that covers Link’s head, body, and legs.
4. Does Tears of the Kingdom have multiple endings?
Yes, there is a “True” ending in addition to the regular ending. The “True” ending requires completing all main story quests, obtaining the Master Sword, and viewing all the Dragon Tears memories.
5. What happens when you complete every shrine in Tears of the Kingdom?
Upon completing the final shrine, you will receive a message directing you to the Temple of Time to claim your reward, the Ancient Hero’s Aspect.
6. Is there any post-game content in Tears of the Kingdom?
While there is no specific “post-game” storyline, you can continue exploring Hyrule, completing side quests, collecting items, and achieving 100% completion.
7. Does Zelda become a dragon in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, Zelda does become the Light Dragon by swallowing her Secret Stone in an attempt to reach the future and deliver the Master Sword to Link.
8. Who is the final boss in Tears of the Kingdom?
The final boss is Ganondorf, fought at the culmination of the “Destroy Ganondorf” quest.
9. What do you get for finding all 1,000 Korok Seeds?
Finding all 1,000 Korok Seeds and returning them to Hestu rewards you with Hestu’s Gift: a golden poo. Hestu will also dance for Link whenever requested.
10. What happens to the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom?
At the beginning of the game, the Master Sword is corrupted, leading to Link’s injury and the acquisition of his new prosthetic arm. Link must then find a way to repair the Master Sword throughout his adventure.
11. What is the final quest in Tears of the Kingdom?
The final main quest is “Destroy Ganondorf”, tasking you with confronting and defeating the Demon King.
12. What changes after defeating Ganondorf in Tears of the Kingdom?
After defeating Ganondorf, your save file will be marked with a star, and the game will track your completion percentage of the map, collectibles, and more.
13. How do you unlock the true ending in Tears of the Kingdom?
To unlock the true ending: * Complete all main story quests. * Obtain the Master Sword. * View all Dragon Tears memories by finding all the Geoglyphs.
14. Where is Epona in Tears of the Kingdom?
If you have a Breath of the Wild save file on the same Switch, Epona will automatically appear registered to you after visiting your first Stable.
15. How many dungeons are in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are a total of seven dungeons in Tears of the Kingdom.