Summary
- Tears of the Kingdom expands the Zelda universe, offering side quests that enhance the gaming experience.
- Unique side quests provide fun, rewarding experiences for Link.
- Visit iconic regions like Gerudo, Necluda, and Akkala to embark on epic treasure hunts and restoration projects.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was responsible for expanding the Zelda universe beyond all previous versions of Hyrule. Yet, its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, managed to build up the map even more, including all the iconic regions of the previous game, while adding to the skies and depths.
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As one of the best open-world games of all time, Tears of the Kingdom does not rely only on the main story. Instead, its main asset relies on the side adventures that Link goes on. With several vast regions, players are pulled in a million different directions into optional content that is not always worth the time. However, in all corners of the map, certain side quests are definitely worth the playthrough, making for a better gaming experience.
1 The Depths - Master Kohga Of The Yiga Clan
A Terrifying Highlight To The Depths With Rewards To Match
- Location: Abandoned Mines
- Trigger: Varies on location
- Reward: Depends on location
- Honorable Mention: A Call From The Depths, Camera Work
Even though the depths can feel a bit empty at times as one of the least developed regions in the game, it also possesses some distinct side quests. Besides "Camera Work" and "A Call From the Depths," players can go on a mission to defeat the Yiga Clan.
Usually, the Yiga Clan missions in the game can feel more intimidating, yet they also give some great rewards. So, when facing Master Khoga in one of the eight locations of the game, players get proportional rewards, like Diamonds and Charges, making this adventure worth an occasional visit to the Depths.
2 Lanayru - Secret Treasure Under The Great Fish
Classic Zelda Hidden Passageway To A Treasure
- Location: Zora's Domain
- Trigger: Speak to Sidon
-
Reward:
Vah Ruta Divine Helm
- Honorable Mention: The Goddess Statue of Wisdom, The Never-Ending Lecture
Finding secret passageways is one of the hallmarks of the Zelda franchise, making the "Secret Under The Great Fish" quest a true classic. Not only that, it has a connection to its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, as it is a treasure hunt to find Vah Rutas Divine Helm.
This side quest hits all the benchmarks, being fun, simple, and rewarding. Yet, the Lanayru area also has some other side quests for Link to follow, like overhearing conversations to unlock "The Never-Ending Lecture" or searching for a dragon for "The Goddess Statue of Wisdom."
3 Great Hyrule Forest - Walton's Treasure Hunt
A Game For The Forest Dweller's Armaments
- Location: Korok Forest
- Trigger: Play with Walton
-
Reward:
Forest Dweller's Bow
and other armaments
- Honorable Mention: Whirly Swirly Things
Who doesn't like a treasure hunt with some great rewards along the way? By choosing to play with Walton, Link embarks on a mission to find the Forest Dweller's armament hidden by the Korok.
"Walton's Treasure Hunt" not only gives Link a good reward but also allows him to collect some great weapons. This quest is also ideal for franchise fans, as there are many familiar locations and faces, like the Deku Tree, Hestu, and Walton, of course.
4 Faron - Bring Peace To Faron!
Link Saves Faron In An Epic Pirate Ship Fight
- Location: South of Lake Hylia
- Trigger: Speak to Flaxel
- Reward: 100 rupees
- Honorable Mention: An Eerie Voice
As the hardest game to complete in the Zelda franchise, Tears of the Kingdom has a bit of everything, including a mission on a pirate ship. In this side quest, Link has to fix a bridge to get to the pirate ship, where he needs to fight a range of Bokoblins and Moblins.
Although the reward is nothing big, players can enjoy themselves fighting monsters in a cool setting and, of course, bringing peace to Faron. An overall easy mission with a cool background in an emptier region.
5 Gerudo - Treasure Of The Gerudo Desert
Follow The Statues To Find The Treasure Hidden In The Sand
- Location: Gerudo Town
- Trigger: Talk to Riju after completing the Sage of Lightning quest
-
Reward:
Vah Naboris Divine Helm
- Honorable Mention: Infiltrating the Yiga Clan, The South Lomei Prophecy
The name itself already hints at how this mission represents the Gerudo region with an epic treasure hunt through the dunes of the desert. By following the "swordsman in the sand," the player must go to where the statues are pointing their swords to find secret underground ruins.
This is just one of the treasures and adventures awaiting Link in the sandy Dunes of Gerudo, with unique mazes and secretive infiltrations hidden in the sand.
6 Eldin - Amber Dealer
A Good Business Deal Trading Rocks For Rupees
- Location: Goron City
- Trigger: Speak to Bayge and Heehl to sell to Ramella
- Reward: 200 rupees
- Honorable Mention: The Hidden Treasure at Lizard Lakes, Misko's Treasure: The Fierce Deity
Even though the "Miskoi's Treasure: The Fierce Deity" mission is worth doing, especially for hardcore fans, the "Amber Dealer" quest is an easily missable campaign. Yet it gives players a way to make easy money by selling some of their amber to Ramella for a much better price than in any store.
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Not only seeking to buy amber, Ramella also seeks to buy other minerals, giving players a much higher profit, and it is definitely a must-do mission in terms of usefulness.
7 Necluda - Lurelin Village Restoration Project
It Does Not Take A Village To Rebuild A Town
- Location: Lurelin Village
- Trigger: After the Ruffian-Infested Village quest, talk to Bolson
- Reward: Different rewards for each repair made
- Honorable Mention: Teach Me A Lesson I & II, Gloom Born Illness
Necluda is the region with some of the best quests, having unique missions like "The Mayoral Election" and "Teach Me A Lesson." However, Link's adventure to restore the village is one of the most time-consuming ones, but also by far the most rewarding.
Not only can players see their progress through the development of the village, which goes from an uninhabitable place in Ruffian-Infested Village to a prosperous center filled with buildings and people. To make it happen, Link has to bring equipment to Bolson, who rebuilds the town slowly. At the end of the mission, not only does Link get numerous rewards, but he also gets free access to all the facilities.
8 Hebra - Zelda's Golden Horse
A Golden And Gentle Stallion Worthy Of Its Rewards
- Location: North of Snowfield Stable
- Trigger: Speak to Penn
- Reward: The horse, rupees, royal bridle and royal saddle
- Honorable Mention: The Dutchess Who Disappeared, Legacy of Rito
While horses have always been a big part of the Zelda franchise, Tears of the Kingdom has some unique stallions that can be tamed. One of them is a literal Golden horse, known also as Zelda's horse, and it can be found as a part of a side quest.
The beautiful and precious horse is one of the few horses with a Gentle Temperament, and it has some great stats that make it a strong and loyal companion. Players can also engage in some other great side quests of the region, yet this horse is too special and shiny to ignore.
9 Central Hyrule - The Hunt For Bubbul Gems
Trade Bubbul Gems With Kilton And Koltin To Get A Bokoblin Mask
- Location: Near Woodland Stable
- Trigger: Talk to Kilton
-
Reward:
Bokoblin Mask
- Honorable Mention: Hestu's Concerns, The Incomplete Stable
Central Hyrule has quite a few great side missions, including "The Incomplete Stable," which is one of the easiest in the game. However, players can also engage in something a bit more unique as they interact with the monster aficionado, Kilton and his brother Koltin, who can be found in multiple locations throughout the game.
Players have the chance to collect Bubbul Gems by hitting a Bubbulfrog in caves. This quest offers a chance to exchange the Bubbul Gems for a good cause, trying to transform Koltin into a Satori, while also getting a very useful Bokoblin mask.
10 Akkala - Mattison's Independence
Reconcile Father And Daughter To Trigger More Quests In Tarrey Town
- Location: Tarrey Town
- Trigger: Talk to Hudson
- Reward: 200 rupees and other side quests
- Honorable Mention: The Tarrey Town Race is On and Home on Arrange
There are so many connections between Tears of The Kingdom and its predecessor, including Tarrey Town. In Breath of the Wild, players could embark on a rewarding side quest of building Tarrey Town together with fan-favorite Hudson.
In Tears of the Kingdom, Tarrey Town is still standing, though Link is responsible for helping Hudson's daughter, Mattison, in an unmissable mission. Reconciling the two will not only warrant a nice rupee reward but also open other side quests around Tarrey Town, even Link's own house side quest.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
