Hyrule’s sprawling map shows off a large number of activities to complete, where you’ll often stray from the main campaign. However, dedicated Zelda players have become adept at multitasking with each passing title, finishing the game in a matter of weeks, days, or even hours. So whether you’re a speed racer or just a fan, we’ll show you 10 Things You Can Do After Beating Tears of the Kingdom to get the full experience.
1. Complete all the shrines
Shrines have been a part of the Legend of Zelda series in one form or another, from Breath of the Wild to Majora’s Mask. Now the legacy of these temples has been continued in the latest sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, which features a host of mystical locations in Hyrule. However, due to the large number of shrines, players may not have unlocked all of these areas no matter how long they spend completing them.
So if you are not sure what to do after finishing Tears of the Kingdom main story, it is an excellent idea to clear these shrines one by one by solving the intricate puzzles and surviving Proving Grounds. It also helps that each location gives you a Blessing Light to maximize Link’s stamina or health, making it easier to endure the dangerous battles and expeditions ahead. Oh, and completing it to 100 percent will reward you with the legendary Skin of the Ancient Hero, armor fit for the true hero of Hyrule.
2. Create unique Ultrahand creations
Those who have explored the Tears of the Kingdom online forums will no doubt come across the many versions of the Ultrahand ability. Therefore, you can join this journey of creation by creating some editions of your own, such as Korok vehicles, bases, and even torture devices. Hey, I’m not here to judge.
Players can dabble in the engineering side of TOTK, which has even gotten its own Reddit club to showcase intricately designed builds. Who knows, maybe you can put it on your resume, maybe? What’s more, you get to build something that has never been done before, setting the stage for a whole new concept within the Legend of Zelda community.
3. Finish the side missions
Although the main quests are all good and fun, the side quests can be just as exciting, where players can get an insight into Hyrule’s beloved NPCs. Specifically, you may stumble upon a heated mayoral election in Hateno Village, while another target may begin the hunt for a majestic bird.
With so many locations, TOTK’s side quests seem almost endless, and it’s the perfect way to combine some story-related quests after completing the main campaign. On top of that, you will get countless rewards from these quests, including special outfits and a large amount of Rupees.
4. Discover new outfits and upgrade equipment
In addition to Link’s warrior life, he is also a fashionista with a wide selection of recognizable outfits found throughout the lands. From a fire-resistant armor set to a clothing set reminiscent of previous games, you’ll no doubt have to spend a lot of time searching for these fancy materials during the late game phase.
If you want to take it a step further, you can collect assorted items, like the Bokoblin Mask, for unique perks for your journey. Or, players can upgrade their equipment through the upgrade system and prolong their survivability in battles, cold environments, and scorching landscapes.
5. Find all Korok Seeds
While the completion of the main story is considered to be the end of Tears of the Kingdom, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve finished it completely. That being said, you will need to achieve various objectives with shrines, wells, and the discovery of Korok Seeds. Many players believe there are hundreds scattered across Hyrule, giving you more than enough for your post-game TOTK escapades.
As in previous games, Koroks will reward you with these seeds for completing small objectives, either by placing a rock to create a circular design, or by hitting an oddly placed object with a stick. Once you collect enough Korok Seeds, you can trade them in to expand your inventory with Hestu. I mean, who doesn’t want to see that adorable dance with every expansion?
6. Take photos for the Hyrule compendium
The Hyrule Compendium is essentially TOTK’s Pokedex, offering a comprehensive index of all the enemies, creatures, and quirky items that pique your interest. Whenever she is curious about a particular item or character, she can immediately take a photo to learn all about them, but be sure to watch her back as she will be in a relatively unprotected state while taking them.
Those who want to start their photographic adventure will have to locate 92 creatures, 110 monsters, 126 materials, 175 pieces of equipment and six treasures to complete the collection. This feat will definitely take a long time to accomplish, perfect for players who are still looking for things to do.
7. Explore the entire Hyrule map
Even if Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom share a similar layout on the locations, the sequel further expands the lands thanks to the addition of the Sky level and the depths. So, to get the full picture of Hyrule, you’ll need to do some exploring to discover all the hidden locations, allowing you to enter her name on the map instead of having a blank space.
Players can discover areas, such as Skyview Towers, Lightroots, and caves, to trigger that satisfying ‘Discovery!’ immediate. In return, you’ll never get lost with your handy map, despite the gathering darkness in the Depths.
8. Defeat secret bosses
Players still looking for other challenges in TOTK after the game can prepare for a grueling fight with Hyrule’s secret bosses. More often than not, each region shows off its own formidable enemy, be it the three-headed dragon Gleeok or the robot-like Flux Construct.
You will also find various types of these opponents that present a whole new threat. For example, the boss Talus has not one, not two, but five different classes to add to the excitement of battle.
9. Try new cooking recipes
Over time, Link has established himself as a culinary artist through his exceptional cooking skills. You can just about power up anything in Tears of the Kingdom, no matter how big or small, to craft new dishes for your enduring journey through Hyrule. Players can also take advantage of their food to restore health, receive buffs, and replenish their stamina.
If you’re not sure where to start, you can check out our All Cooking Recipes guide to unlock new meals and become the acclaimed chef you were always meant to be. Well, at least in Hyrule.
10. Tame special horses and other creatures
Horse enthusiasts can rejoice in Tears of the Kingdom’s unique saddle collection, bringing new and familiar stallions to the series. For example, those who want to live extravagantly can tame the Golden Horse, while others can plunge into the dark side with the Skeleton Horse.
But it doesn’t have to stop at horses, as players can ride other creatures, like bears and deer. Then he can make it all official by registering his horse with a stable, where he can anoint his steed with a unique name. You could go the simple route like I did when I tagged my spotted horse “Spotbutt”, or you could go with “Au” for your Golden Horse like MashGames did.
As time goes by, there will undoubtedly be more things to do after beating Tears of the Kingdom, and it’s entirely up to you how you want to spend it.