Streaming Personality Dedicates 37 Hours Attempting to Conquer <em>The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom</em> With Only a One Stick

One could think that two years post-launch since Tears of the Kingdom debuted, enthusiasts would have run out of creative self-imposed challenges that apply unique restrictions on a playthrough. Yet, although numerous players have attempted to complete the game using just a stick, streamer PointCrow holds the record as the individual who endeavored to clear the game with a single stick—specifically, the very same stick throughout.

The streamer is famous for such difficult playthroughs, like the instance he went through the game solely with explosives or the effort where he aimed to defeat the game with zero energy. A one-branch playthrough, however, seems unfeasible at first glance. There's the opening sequence, which requires Link to wield the Master Sword. Additionally, there's the entire weapon wear mechanic, which is particularly relevant when dealing with the most fragile tool in the whole world. But if the stick breaks, that's it. Game over.

So, How?

So, how? The simple answer is glitches. The complete answer, I kid you not, is alternate dimensions. Apparently, you can manipulate the game's save file system to have distinct game sessions that affect one another. So the creator does a “preparation” save where he progresses normally, and the real file, where he's restricted. The setup file has him completing the intro and first starting area, and this character acquires full endurance and hearts. From this point, he triggers a cutscene and halts partway through to instruct the game to open an automatic save from the stick file. The system gets confused and generates a third game file that combines the conditions of the original two.

That creates fresh issues, though. The merged save file has a Link that never obtain the ability to access sacred places. Fortunately, this is something that the file exploit addresses easily, but executing it means relying on an buggy version of the title that refuses to open some areas. As with everything else, he has a clever workaround for it: He starts Tears of the Kingdom on its pre-release version 1.0, and then updates the software midway through to ensure it starts functioning correctly.

Bypassing Weapon Wear and Other Hurdles

Interestingly, the prologue form of the hero is programmed so that he cannot break any weapons he wields, presumably to avoid a scenario where the player gets trapped at the beginning of the adventure. But that's additionally how the streamer bypasses the durability issue, as the Link he pulls between dimensions is the version from the beginning of the story. It's a clever trick, but not one that eradicates all potential friction. The stick is still a ineffective item that makes battles onerous. But at that point, it's entirely a matter of determination and perseverance. It further aids that there's a duplication glitch that grants him an plentiful supply of consumables to improve his attack, or stock up on healing spirits. He also makes use of a glitch that enables him to clip through the world. Some would consider these means grounds to discredit the legitimacy of the attempt, but in my mind, he's a inventive gamer who is ready to do whatever it takes to engage his audience. He also uses a penalty of sorts stating that, for each fairy he uses, he'll remove one fan from his Twitch chat, establishing an motivation to avoid depend too much on them.

Major Battles and the Final Showdown

The streamer manages to get through many of the game's bosses, but the fights look painful. The YouTube version of his quest spares the audience sit through the entire conflicts, which is a blessing when a few of them last several hours. A particular enemy encounter, Queen Gibdo, takes an astonishing 23 straight. The final villain showdown, which erases Link's hearts as it progresses, is a memorable tense moment. The unbreakable stick is still just a piece of wood. He is unable to necessarily duplicate items during the battle.

So, is it possible? Technically, he does defeat the beast form of the antagonist. But the software compels the player to use the legendary weapon as the final attack, so technically, it's not completely a stick-only playthrough. But what fun is that?

When everything is said and done, the streamer removed more than 1,000 people in his live stream. Rest in peace.