Tingle’s Maps: Korok Forest (Breath of the Wild)

The unearthly and disturbing Lost Woods beckon to nearly everyone who plays Breath of the Wild with the strength of a Siren. Something about it is just so alluring. Perhaps it’s because it doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the world. Engulfed in a mysterious fog that makes the whole place feel haunted, it captivates the curious adventurer inside us all. I remember dying to uncover its secrets when I first came across it. And if you’re brave enough to trek past the demented trees and clever enough to solve the tricky torch puzzle, you’ll come to a special place that encapsulates the beauty of the land the goddesses created.

You get to the end of the maze. The fog begins to fade away, and everything suddenly brightens up. In front of you is a tunnel made of a hollowed-out log, which is far more inviting than anything else the forest has had to offer at this point. When you emerge from the log, a world of pure wonder awaits. It’s a stunning, lush green forest absolutely teeming with wildlife — butterflies, frogs, birds, you name it! Beams of sunlight break through the makeshift roof formed from the overhead canopy. Most notably, this forest is absolutely jam-packed with Koroks. The inner adventurer is surely satisfied now! 

With dozens of Koroks wandering and flying around, the place feels incredibly lively and joyous. To make things even better, every single Korok seems positively ecstatic to see you! They all use the adorable nickname “Mr. Hero” when addressing Link. The shopkeepers are eager to sell their goods to him, while the regular townsfolk, who have heard many stories about him, are stunned by his arrival. Being treated like a celebrity is a delightful contrast to the usual lonesome journeys of Breath of the Wild. 

But the splendor of the Korok Forest is not limited to its inhabitants, as the flora found in this place is also incredibly gobsmacking. This little grove is blanketed in gorgeous grass and terrific trees, with rocks and stones haphazardly scattered about. Lamp posts made out of leaves and some sort of luminescent bulbs are prominent additions, just in case it gets a little too dark. The forest feels like a place where nature can properly flourish. The fallout from the Calamity, the complications of Sheikah technology, the violent wars between clans — Korok Forest is removed from all of that. It is Hyrule at its purest.

Of course, when talking about the flora, it is impossible not to mention the Great Deku Tree. How can I begin to describe the emotions that overtook me when I beheld this breathtaking behemoth for the first time? The Great Deku Tree is such a historic creature, such an iconic part of the Zelda franchise, that one can’t really help but gaze in awe every time they see him. The form he takes in Breath of the Wild is particularly mesmerizing. In this game, he’s a massive entity with gorgeous pink leaves that seem imbued with divinity, and an ancient face that practically bursts with wisdom. Not only does the presence of this peaceful forest guardian make me feel safe in the game, but there’s this subtle sense of comfort that transfers over to the real world as well.

Inside the Great Deku Tree, even more wonders await. Here you will find a cozy little Korok town, complete with an Inn, a couple of shops, a cooking pot, and a Goddess Statue. The Calamity may be raging throughout the world, but as long as I’m with my Korok friends inside this big ol’ tree, I know I’m safe. It’s rather endearing how excited the shop owners are to see you; it’s like they consider themselves lucky to have had “Mr. Hero” visit their shop. Each shopkeeper has a lovely personality, and while they’re all somewhat similar character-wise, they feel like they have their own distinct places in the community. Every Korok plays a part in the safe haven that is Korok Forest.

Of course, when it comes to the main story of Breath of the Wild, Hestu is the single most important Korok you’ll interact with. This beloved, silly character will expand your inventory in exchange for Korok Seeds. Usually Hestu resides in Korok Forest, but when you first meet him, you find out that he’s lost. He needs to get back home, but at this point in the game, it’s unclear where that home is. Hestu appears at various stables all across the map, and frankly, I’m always delighted to run into him. He’s having an adventure just like Link, albeit a less consequential one. And to my surprise, when I entered Korok Forest for the first time, he was there to greet me! I took great comfort in knowing that he made it back safely. 

There’s one more crucial part of Korok Forest I have yet to mention: the Master Sword. Link’s signature weapon sleeps in the heart of the forest, guarded by the Great Deku Tree. The triangular pedestal that holds the sword is surrounded by seven stone figures, which represent the Seven Sages. It’s quite fitting that the most beautiful location in Hyrule would serve as the resting place for the sword that seals the darkness, a blade blessed by the Goddess Hylia. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the series or have been playing since 1986 — when you stand on the sacred grounds where the Master Sword slumbers, you can’t help but feel like you’re a part of something bigger than us all. 

I have barely scratched the surface of what you can find in the Korok Forest. There are countless smaller details within this beautiful hotspot that I haven’t touched upon — the top of the Great Deku Tree, the Keo Ruug Shrine, and the silly Korok quests, just to name a few. There are so many tiny things that make this forest great, and I implore you to discover them for yourself. I won’t write about everything that makes this place special, as it would take far too long. The Korok Forest is a crucial stop on Link’s journey to defeating Calamity Ganon, a place that inspires courage and reminds us what we’re fighting for. There are a thousand positive adjectives I could use to describe it, but I think the most accurate one would be wonderful. It really does embody everything that makes The Legend of Zelda great.

At the time of this article’s publication, we’re only six days away from the release of Tears of the Kingdom. Everything we’ve seen so far suggests that this could be one of Link’s toughest battles yet. Whether the Korok Forest plays a big role in this story or not, the lessons we’ve learned from it over the years will surely prove invaluable in the fight against Ganondorf. And quite frankly, I think we can apply these lessons to our everyday lives as well. Korok Forest is a reminder of all that is good and beautiful in this world, and that this goodness and beauty is always worth fighting for.