What Becomes of Link at the End of Breath of the Wild?
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At the conclusion of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Link successfully defeats Calamity Ganon, fulfilling his century-long mission. However, the game’s ending isn’t a simple cut-and-dry resolution. After the final battle, Link and Princess Zelda stand together, having finally vanquished the evil that plagued Hyrule. The game doesn’t explicitly show what happens to Link immediately after the final cutscene; instead, it returns players to right before their final battle with Ganon. While this might seem like a simple reset, it’s designed to allow players to continue exploring the world and complete any remaining side quests or optional challenges.
Link’s primary goal throughout the game, which is to defeat Calamity Ganon, is indeed achieved. He doesn’t simply go back to his everyday life; instead, he is once again the guardian of Hyrule, as his actions have finally restored peace to the kingdom. The key takeaways of the ending are that Hyrule is saved, Ganon is defeated, and Zelda is freed from her imprisonment and can finally help rebuild their devastated land. Essentially, Link becomes the hero who saved Hyrule and finally restored it to its former glory.
Link’s Journey Concludes, But The Adventure Continues
Link’s journey is defined not just by the final battle, but by the entire experience of exploring Hyrule, regaining his lost memories, and growing into the hero he was meant to be. The ending of Breath of the Wild, while conclusive, provides the player the agency to continue to explore Hyrule, engage in side quests, and tackle other challenges after the main story is over. This decision keeps players engaged and in the world for as long as they want to be.
While the game does not delve into the specifics of what Link does or becomes following the defeat of Ganon, it implicitly positions him as a protector and champion of Hyrule, a role he has assumed for countless generations of heroes. Ultimately, the ending is both a conclusion to Link’s immediate quest and an open invitation to continue experiencing the vast world of Hyrule, embodying the game’s focus on freedom and exploration.
The Significance of the Ending
The ending of Breath of the Wild isn’t just about defeating the final boss; it’s also about the relationships that are built along the way. Link’s bond with Zelda is pivotal, and the ending shows them working together to bring peace back to Hyrule. Link is not just a warrior; he’s a compassionate hero who fights for the good of others. This is further supported by finding all of Link’s memories, where you get to know all the other champions, thus building a deeper understanding of Hyrule and its past.
The Impact of Recovered Memories
The game’s true ending is tied to collecting all of Link’s lost memories, which allows players to see an additional cutscene after defeating Ganon. This ending enhances the narrative and deepens the emotional weight of Link’s sacrifice and eventual triumph. It shows a tender moment between Link and Zelda as they look towards Hyrule’s future. These extra elements add context to the world and make the ending more impactful, further cementing Link’s role as a significant figure in the history of Hyrule.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the true ending of Breath of the Wild?
The true ending of Breath of the Wild is unlocked by finding all of Link’s forgotten memories. This leads to an additional cutscene after the defeat of Calamity Ganon, providing a more complete resolution to the story.
2. How does Link awaken in Breath of the Wild?
Link awakens in the Shrine of Resurrection after a 100-year slumber. This occurs after Zelda places him there after his defeat during the initial Calamity Ganon attack.
3. Did Link die in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, Link died defending Zelda from Calamity Ganon a century before the game’s events. He was then placed in the Shrine of Resurrection to heal and await the time he would be needed again.
4. How many endings does Breath of the Wild have?
Breath of the Wild technically has two endings: the standard ending after defeating Ganon and a secret ending unlocked by collecting all of Link’s memories.
5. What happens if you don’t collect all the memories in Breath of the Wild?
If you don’t collect all of the memories, you will not receive the additional cutscene, but you will still complete the game by defeating Calamity Ganon. This additional cutscene is what is known as the “true ending.”
6. Can you continue playing Breath of the Wild after beating Ganon?
Yes, you can absolutely keep playing Breath of the Wild after defeating Ganon. The game will revert back to a state just before the final battle, with a star appearing next to your save file indicating completion.
7. What counts towards 100% completion in Breath of the Wild?
100% completion in Breath of the Wild requires players to complete all four Divine Beasts, all 120 Ancient Shrines, acquire all 900 Korok Seeds, and visit every named location on the map.
8. How long does it take to 100% complete Breath of the Wild?
100% completion of Breath of the Wild typically takes players around 190 hours, but this time can vary based on individual playstyles and skill levels.
9. How old is Link in Breath of the Wild?
The exact age of Link in Breath of the Wild is not explicitly stated, but he is generally believed to be around 17 or 18 years old due to his youthful appearance and character traits.
10. Does Link have romantic feelings for Zelda in Breath of the Wild?
The relationship between Link and Zelda in Breath of the Wild is not overtly romantic, but there’s a strong sense of caring and closeness between them. Many fans interpret their bond as romantic due to their emotional connection, though no canon is explicitly confirmed by the developers.
11. What does Zelda say when Link collects all his memories?
When Link recovers all his memories, Zelda’s voice guides him and he sees a final scene of her. She tells him that she is ready for him to defeat Ganon, and that she is waiting for him at Hyrule Castle.
12. Is Link the most tragic hero in the Zelda series?
While several Zelda games depict Link facing challenging situations, many fans consider the Hero of Time from Ocarina of Time to be the most tragic, due to the loss of his childhood and the fact that his heroic deeds are ultimately forgotten.
13. Does Link and Zelda end up together?
While their relationship is deeply bonded, and implies a closeness that often mirrors romantic relationships, there is no official confirmation from the developers of them being in a romantic relationship, and instead, is left to the player’s interpretation.
14. Does Tears of the Kingdom have a true ending?
Yes, Tears of the Kingdom also has a true ending unlocked after completing all main story quests, obtaining the Master Sword, and collecting all memories, which grants access to an additional cutscene.
15. Is there a post-game in Breath of the Wild?
While you can continue to explore the world after beating the game, there is no traditional post-game in Breath of the Wild. Your save is reverted to before the final battle, allowing you to complete any remaining tasks.