What Happens When You Complete Everything in Breath of the Wild?
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So, you’ve conquered Calamity Ganon, explored every nook and cranny of Hyrule, and stand victorious, a true champion. But what really happens when you complete everything in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
The short answer is: nothing game-altering, but a lot of personal satisfaction and subtle acknowledgements. Breath of the Wild is designed to be a sandbox experience, meaning there isn’t a traditional “post-game” where the world is permanently changed. You’ll be booted back to your last save before the final battle with Ganon. This design choice, while disappointing to some, allows you to continue exploring Hyrule and tackle anything you might have missed without Ganon’s looming presence influencing the world (beyond the initial state).
However, the game does acknowledge your accomplishment. Your save file will now display a star icon, marking you as a Ganon slayer. You’ll also unlock certain perks, like Kilton offering medals for defeating all Hinox, Stone Talus, and Molduga variants and the ability to see your completion percentage on the map screen. The game also subtly increases the odds of finding better items after defeating Ganon.
The real reward, though, comes from the sense of accomplishment and the ability to truly say you’ve mastered the game. You’ve experienced everything Breath of the Wild has to offer, pushing Link to his limits and witnessing the vastness and beauty of Hyrule. You’ve gone beyond simply finishing the main quest; you’ve immersed yourself in the world and become a true Hyrulean legend. And if you are interested in the effect video games have on learning, check out the Games Learning Society.
What Can You Still Do After “Completing” Breath of the Wild?
Even after slaying Ganon, there’s plenty to keep you engaged:
- Master Mode: If you own the DLC, try your hand at Master Mode. This mode provides a significant challenge, with tougher enemies, floating platforms, and health regeneration for your foes. It’s a whole new level of difficulty that will test your skills.
- Complete the Compendium: Take pictures of every creature, enemy, weapon, material, and treasure chest to fully complete the Hyrule Compendium. It’s a time-consuming but rewarding task for completionists.
- Max Out Your Armor: Upgrade all your armor sets to their maximum level at the Great Fairy Fountains. This requires finding specific materials and rupees, providing an extended goal.
- Collect All Unique Weapons and Shields: Hyrule is filled with rare and powerful weapons. Track down and collect them all to build a formidable arsenal.
- Experiment with Cooking: Discover every cooking recipe and create dishes with the most potent effects. Become a true master chef of Hyrulean cuisine.
- Challenge Runs: Create your own unique challenges, such as a no-fast-travel run, a three-heart run, or a run using only specific weapons.
FAQs About Breath of the Wild Completion
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify what happens after you reach the “end” of Breath of the Wild:
H3 1. Does the world change after defeating Ganon?
No. The world remains in the state it was before you fought Ganon. This means Blood Moons still occur, monsters still roam, and the overall atmosphere remains the same.
H3 2. Can I continue playing as if Ganon is defeated?
No, not directly. You load a save file from before the final battle. However, your save file does have a star to show that you defeated Ganon.
H3 3. What are the rewards for beating Ganon?
You receive a star on your save file, unlock completion percentage tracking on the map, and Kilton offers medals for defeating specific monsters.
H3 4. Do Blood Moons still happen after defeating Ganon?
Yes. Blood Moons are an integral part of the game’s mechanics and will continue to occur even after you defeat Ganon. They respawn enemies and keep the world challenging.
H3 5. Does Zelda turn back from a dragon without me having to find her?
Yes, she does. Without intervention by the player, she becomes human again.
H3 6. Can I still do side quests after beating Ganon?
Absolutely! In fact, that’s a significant part of what you can do after completing the main story. All unfinished side quests remain available.
H3 7. What’s the point of completing all 120 shrines?
Completing all 120 shrines unlocks a special reward: the Armor of the Wild. This armor set is a powerful homage to Link’s classic green tunic.
H3 8. Can I do the DLC after beating Ganon?
Yes, you can tackle the DLC content at any time, either before or after defeating Ganon. The DLC adds new story content, challenges, and equipment to the game.
H3 9. What about Master Mode? Is that affected by beating Ganon?
Master Mode is a separate difficulty setting unlocked by the DLC. You can start a new game in Master Mode regardless of whether you’ve beaten Ganon in the normal game.
H3 10. Does the game track my progress towards 100% completion?
Yes, but not in the way you might think. The completion percentage shown on the map only tracks the completion of locations, like map towers and shrines. It doesn’t include side quests, Korok Seeds, or the Hyrule Compendium.
H3 11. How many Korok Seeds are there, and do I really need to find them all?
There are 900 Korok Seeds in total! Finding them all is a monumental task. While you don’t need to find them all to beat the game, collecting them allows you to expand your inventory slots, making your journey much easier. Note that the reward for getting all 900 is… less than useful.
H3 12. What happens if I haven’t found all of Link’s memories before beating Ganon?
Finding all of Link’s memories unlocks a slightly longer and more fulfilling ending cutscene. It provides a bit more closure to the story.
H3 13. Are there any secret areas I might have missed?
Hyrule is filled with hidden areas and secrets. Explore thoroughly! Some notable hidden areas include the Forgotten Temple, Eventide Island, and the various labyrinths scattered throughout the map.
H3 14. What happens to the Master Sword after defeating Ganon?
The Master Sword is restored to its full power after defeating Ganon. It remains a potent weapon for tackling any remaining challenges.
H3 15. Will there be more DLC for Breath of the Wild?
Probably not. Nintendo has stated that they are focused on Tears of the Kingdom and don’t have plans for additional Breath of the Wild DLC.
Beyond Completion: The True Reward
Ultimately, “completing” Breath of the Wild is about more than just ticking boxes and achieving a certain percentage. It’s about the journey, the exploration, and the countless moments of discovery that make the game so special. It’s about forging your own legend in Hyrule.
If you enjoyed the game for the journey you have taken and are interested in learning about how games are used as a means to learn new skills, then visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
So, go forth, champion! Even with Ganon defeated, Hyrule awaits your continued adventures.