TL;DR
- Northwest path is the game’s subtly suggested optimal starting route
- Early stable access provides horses and Pony Points reward system
- Wind Temple offers balanced challenge and essential navigation ability
- Cold-resistant gear is mandatory for Wind Temple progression
- Alternative paths remain viable with proper preparation and knowledge
After completing the Great Sky Island tutorial zone, players gain unprecedented freedom to explore nearly any location across Hyrule’s vast landscape. This open-world design philosophy shares similarities with games like Elden Ring, where exploration and discovery form the core gameplay loop. However, this freedom can initially feel overwhelming without proper direction.
The transition from structured tutorial to complete freedom marks a critical turning point. During your time on Great Sky Island, you’ll master four essential abilities: Ultrahand for object manipulation, Fuse for weapon enhancement, Ascend for vertical traversal, and Recall for temporal manipulation. Once these fundamental skills are acquired, the game removes all training wheels, presenting you with a massive world where direction becomes your responsibility.
For players seeking the most natural progression path, northwest direction offers the smoothest introduction to Hyrule’s challenges. Early NPC dialogue subtly hints at this route, though these clues can be easily overlooked amidst the excitement of newfound freedom. Following the main road northwest leads to strategic advantages that significantly enhance early-game experience.
One of the earliest accessible stables lies along this route, providing immediate access to horse taming and riding mechanics. The Pony Points system introduced here offers tangible rewards for continued stable usage, making transportation increasingly efficient. Additionally, this stable area serves as a hub for initiating crucial story quests that establish narrative momentum.
Common Mistake Alert: Many players bypass the stable system initially, missing out on early transportation benefits and reward opportunities that streamline later exploration.
The northwestern route ultimately leads to the Wind Temple, widely considered the ideal first major dungeon due to its balanced difficulty curve. This temple doesn’t demand extensively upgraded weapons or advanced gear, making it accessible relatively early. Completing it grants a navigation ability that fundamentally transforms how you traverse Hyrule’s landscape.
Critical Preparation: Cold-resistant equipment is absolutely essential for Wind Temple survival. The nearby Rito Village sells appropriate gear, though accumulating sufficient rupees may require targeted material farming. Monitor your temperature gauge in the HUD – the game provides clear warnings when your current equipment offers inadequate protection.
Pro Tip: If you lack cold-resistant armor, craft warming elixirs using Sunshrooms or Spicy Peppers combined with monster parts. These provide temporary thermal protection, though permanent gear remains the superior long-term solution.
Attempting to navigate frigid areas without proper protection results in continuous health depletion, potentially stranding you in dangerous situations. Plan your gear acquisition before venturing too far along the cold mountain paths.
While the northwest path represents the developer’s intended progression route, Tears of the Kingdom truly embraces player agency. The four major dungeons strategically occupy each map quadrant, meaning any directional choice eventually leads to significant story advancement. This design ensures no path is fundamentally incorrect.
The game’s philosophy champions personal discovery and unconventional approaches. If you prefer forging your own path rather than following suggested routes, the game fully supports this playstyle. However, alternative directions often present steeper difficulty curves and require more sophisticated problem-solving approaches.
Time Investment: Exploring off-path areas typically adds 2-3 hours to reach comparable progression milestones compared to the optimized northwest route.
Regardless of your chosen path, comprehensive knowledge enhances the experience. Our extensive Battlefield 6 Complete Guide offers parallel strategic thinking that applies to open-world navigation challenges. Understanding class synergies from our BF6 Class Selection Guide can inform your approach to combat encounters throughout Hyrule.
Action Checklist
- Complete Great Sky Island tutorial and master all four core abilities
- Follow northwest path from starting area toward first stable
- Acquire cold-resistant gear from Rito Village or craft warming elixirs
- Tame horses at stable and begin accumulating Pony Points
- Tackle Wind Temple as first major dungeon
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Where To Go First Strategic guide to optimal starting path, essential gear preparation, and progression tips for Tears of the Kingdom