The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild arrived just over a month ago, making an impact that could put a Hinox’s lumbering footfalls to shame. If you’ve been playing this early game-of-the-year contender since day one, you may already know more about Hyrule than your own hometown.
Heck, the most seasoned Hylian heroes have probably secured the Master Sword, saved the princess, and slain Ganon by now. If you count yourself among that brave camp, you might be tempted to hang up your tunic and hit the road.
You don’t have to power down your Sheikah Slate just yet, though. As Breath of the Wild‘s massive open-world is absolutely brimming with exciting opportunities beyond its main quest. If you’re seeking further adventures following your final boss encounter, we have some idea for how you can keep the fun going even after you’ve finished the game.
More Time for Shrines
If you didn’t beat all of BotW’s 120 shrines before besting the final boss, there’s still so much work to be done. These mini-dungeons — hosting some of the game’s coolest combat encounters and most complex puzzles — are a worthy challenge whether you tackle them before or after the main quest is buttoned up.
Eventide Island is especially worth seeking out, as it extends the typical shrine experience into a lengthy, challenging adventure. Set on a remote stretch of land, surrounded by the Lanayru Sea, it’s also one of the game’s best hidden secrets. Completing the island challenge also brings you one step closer to getting a green tunic inspired by Link’s classic garb, granted when all shrines are completed.
Become a Personal Chef
Some of our favorite moments in BotW involved standing over a cooking pot, wondering what delicious delicacy — or culinary disaster — might come from the various ingredients we hastily combined. Because cooking is easily one of the game’s most fun and addictive activities, we found ourselves continuing to master the craft long after the credits rolled.
While our bellies were already bursting with seared meats and skewered fish, we enjoyed experimenting to share our best recipes with friends still attempting to complete the game. Creativity is key to making great concoctions in Breath of the Wild, but we have a great cooking guide to help you get started!
Oh, the Memories…
If you’re anything like us, you probably uncovered just a handful of BotW‘s 13 Captured Memories before taking the fight to Calamity Ganon. These narrative nuggets aren’t easy to find, but they’re absolutely worth seeking out. On top of fleshing out the plot and bringing the story to a more satisfying conclusion, they’re located in some interesting, secret-filled spots you might not otherwise discover.
Hyrule’s Magic Kingdom is a Must-See
We’re referring, of course, to Hyrule Castle, one of the game’s most iconic and impressive structures. While you’ll head there with the burning desire to put a blade in Ganon’s belly, you’ll also want to take some time to stop and smell the roses—or a Hylian Shroom or two. After taking out the big bad, be sure to thoroughly explore this mysterious estate for awesome, hidden treasures, such as Link’s Hylian Shield.
Side-questing is Key
BoTW is busting at the seams with side content, from optional tasks carried out for quirky characters, to mini-campaigns that rival the main quest. Whether you’re chasing that 100 percent completion or simply seeking further Hylian adventures, these extracurricular activities — often identified by a red exclamation point above villagers’ heads — are a great way to extend your stay in this potential-packed world. Constructing our very own Hylian village, via the Tarrey Town quest, was one of our favorites.
Collect a Classic
On top of obtaining Link’s Hylian Shield and signature emerald tunic by exploring the castle and conquering shrines, respectively, faithful fans can feed their nostalgia fix by adding another iconic item to their inventory. While many will wield the Master Sword before besting Ganon, it’s possible to miss this legendary length of steel entirely. You’ll need to prove yourself before pulling it from the ground, but the quest — which also takes you on a spooky trek through the fabled Lost Woods — is well worth your time and might.
Become a Mount Master
You likely tamed your fair share of horses on your path to taking down Ganon, but did you ever explore the Hylian countryside atop a rampaging grizzly bear or wild hog? While it’s a blast attempting to steer the game’s wildlife, it’s even more fun finding the best horses. From the aptly named Giant Horse to the magical Lord of the Mountain, BotW is brimming with awesome steeds just begging to be tamed. Of course, the most coveted is Link’s loyal companion Epona, who can only be unlocked with the Smash Bros. Link Amiibo.
There are a ton of great horses you can tame and ride — if you’re looking for inspiration, check out our horse-taming guide!
More Fun with Amiibo
Which brings us to our final play-extending tip: Unlocking cool extras with Amiibo. While we don’t encourage fans to plunk down their hard-earned Rupees for the collectible figures — well, except maybe to add Epona to their stables — we suggest existing Amiibo addicts position their plastic playthings over the NFC reader and wait for the magic to happen. Many Amiibo add specific rewards, like Twilight Princess Wolf Link, allowing you to unleash his furry alter ego in the game. All available figures though, unlock something — even if it’s just a handful of random loot — so all are worth a scan.
