The Road Less Traveled: Divine Beasts Before Impa in Breath of the Wild
So, you’re the adventurous type, eh? Already itching to tackle those colossal Divine Beasts in Breath of the Wild before even paying a visit to good ol’ Impa in Kakariko Village? I get it. The open-world allure is strong. But what actually happens if you decide to forge your own path, ignoring the game’s gentle nudge towards the established storyline? Let’s dive in.
The short answer is: you absolutely can go to the Divine Beasts before seeing Impa. The game is designed with remarkable freedom in mind, and this extends to the order in which you tackle its core objectives. However, skipping Impa initially alters the dialogue and narrative flow, particularly regarding Zelda’s interactions. The first Divine Beast you conquer before meeting Impa will trigger specific dialogue from Princess Zelda herself. She will reach out to Link telepathically, urging him to free the Divine Beast from Ganon’s Malice. This unique encounter won’t occur if you’ve already received the same information from Impa.
Furthermore, doing this doesn’t break the game. You’re merely experiencing the narrative in a different order, one that speaks to the true open-world nature of Breath of the Wild. The core gameplay loop remains the same: you still need to board the Divine Beasts, solve their intricate puzzles, and defeat the corrupted Blight Ganon boss within. So, strap in, grab your Sheikah Slate, and let’s explore the ramifications of this unconventional approach.
The Freedom of Choice: A Breath of Fresh Air
Breath of the Wild excels in giving players agency over their journey. Skipping Kakariko Village, and thereby Impa, is a testament to this design philosophy. You can head straight to Death Mountain, brave the Gerudo Desert, or sail towards the Zora Domain without ever setting foot in that quaint Sheikah settlement. The game doesn’t punish you for it; it simply adjusts the narrative to accommodate your choices. This open-endedness encourages exploration and allows players to create their own unique experiences. Many players also enjoy the game based on what is considered a completionist run.
Altered Dialogue and Narrative
As mentioned earlier, the primary consequence of bypassing Impa initially is the alteration in dialogue. Zelda’s telepathic communication becomes the primary means of directing you towards the Divine Beasts, at least until you eventually decide to visit Kakariko Village. This can add a sense of urgency and mystery to your quest, as you’re receiving instructions directly from the princess rather than a third party.
Missed Opportunities (Temporarily)
While the game allows you to skip Impa, it’s worth noting that doing so means temporarily missing out on certain benefits and information. Impa provides crucial context regarding the Calamity Ganon and the Champions, along with key objectives for the main questline. Also, while the game allows for the skip, missing Kakariko Village also means missing out on purchasing the Hylian Shield, along with obtaining an Empty Bottle.
Impact on Subsequent Events
The order in which you complete the Divine Beasts can also subtly influence subsequent events and interactions with other characters. For example, if you free Vah Ruta before speaking to Impa, Mipha’s Grace will be available earlier in your playthrough. This can significantly impact your survivability, especially in the early game.
Addressing the FAQs: Diving Deeper
To further clarify the implications of tackling the Divine Beasts before Impa, let’s address some frequently asked questions:
FAQ #1: Can I still complete the main quest if I skip Impa initially?
Absolutely. The main quest is designed to be flexible. You can still trigger all the necessary events and progress through the story, even if you delay your visit to Kakariko Village.
FAQ #2: Will Impa still give me the same quests if I visit her later?
Yes, Impa’s quests and information remain available regardless of when you choose to visit her. The dialogue will simply be adjusted to reflect your progress in the game. She will acknowledge the Divine Beasts you’ve already conquered and offer guidance accordingly.
FAQ #3: Does skipping Impa affect my ability to unlock memories?
No, it doesn’t. The memories are scattered throughout Hyrule, and their activation is independent of your progress in the main quest. You can still find and unlock them in any order you choose. To get the True Ending in the game, though, you will need to unlock all of the memories first.
FAQ #4: What if I glitch into the Divine Beasts without talking to anyone?
Breath of the Wild is known for its numerous glitches, and it’s indeed possible to glitch into the Divine Beasts and complete them without triggering the intended narrative events. While this can be a fun challenge for experienced players, it may disrupt the intended story progression and lead to unexpected outcomes.
FAQ #5: Is it harder to fight Ganon if I skip the Divine Beasts?
Yes, facing Ganon without freeing the Divine Beasts significantly increases the difficulty of the final battle. You’ll have to fight the Blight Ganon bosses consecutively before facing Ganon himself, and Ganon’s health will not be reduced by the Divine Beasts’ attacks. This is a popular challenge for speedrunners and experienced players seeking a greater challenge.
FAQ #6: Which Divine Beast is considered the hardest to reach?
Vah Naboris, located in the Gerudo Desert, is often cited as the most challenging Divine Beast to reach due to the harsh environmental conditions and the required Sand Seal riding.
FAQ #7: What is the most annoying Divine Beast?
Many players find Vah Rudania, located on Death Mountain, to be the most annoying due to its frustrating puzzles and the need to constantly manage the Sheikah Slate’s motion controls.
FAQ #8: Is there a 5th Divine Beast?
While there are no officially confirmed additional Divine Beasts aside from the original four, some players theorize that the Moon, an ancient Sheikah artifact launched into space, could be considered a fifth Divine Beast. Others may consider the Master Cycle Zero as Link’s Divine Beast.
FAQ #9: Can I permanently kill Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
No, you cannot permanently defeat Ganon in Breath of the Wild. After defeating him, the game resets to the moment before the final battle, allowing you to explore Hyrule and complete other objectives.
FAQ #10: Can I go straight to Ganon at the start of the game?
Yes, you can head straight to Hyrule Castle and attempt to defeat Ganon immediately after leaving the Great Plateau. However, this is an extremely challenging feat and requires significant skill and preparation.
FAQ #11: Why is Ganon always evil?
Ganon is the reincarnation of the Demon King Demise, who possesses an insatiable hatred for the spirit of the hero and the goddess. This eternal cycle of hatred and conflict is a recurring theme throughout the Legend of Zelda series.
FAQ #12: How do I get the secret ending in Breath of the Wild?
To unlock the “true ending” in Breath of the Wild, you must first find and unlock all of Link’s forgotten memories scattered across Hyrule.
FAQ #13: Is Impa the last Sheikah?
According to in-game lore, Impa is the last remaining member of the Sheikah tribe.
FAQ #14: Should I do Vah Medoh or Vah Ruta first?
While the order is ultimately up to the player, many recommend tackling Vah Ruta first, as Mipha’s Grace provides a valuable healing ability that can be beneficial in subsequent challenges.
FAQ #15: Can you Flurry Rush Ganon?
Yes, you can perform a Flurry Rush on Ganon during the final battle. This is a crucial technique for dealing damage and avoiding his powerful attacks.
In Conclusion: Embrace the Freedom
Ultimately, the decision of whether to tackle the Divine Beasts before or after visiting Impa comes down to personal preference. Breath of the Wild is a game that rewards exploration and experimentation, and there’s no right or wrong way to experience its vast and immersive world. By skipping Impa, you’re embracing the game’s open-ended design and carving your own unique path through Hyrule. So go forth, explore, and discover the secrets that await you, no matter which path you choose to follow.
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Enjoy your adventure!