Begin in Ordon Village, herd the goats and obtain the Fishing Rod, Slingshot and Wooden Sword. After the attack at Ordona Spring, escape Hyrule Castle as Wolf Link and return to Ordon for the Ordon Sword and Shield.
Game version: The route and screenshots follow the GameCube version. The normal mode of Twilight Princess HD has the same orientation; on Wii and in HD Hero Mode, left/right and east/west are swapped. HD deviations are at the affected step.
The first goats on the Ordon pasture
After the introductory scene, one of the villagers calls you and asks Link for help in the pasture. Before you can set off there, you first need your horse. Leave the area at Link’s house via the northern path and turn towards the spring on the way. Ilia is already waiting for you there with your horse.
Mount and ride back past Link’s house. Then take the southern path to Ordon pasture. There you should drive the scattered goats into the stable. The principle is simple: the animals always run away from Epona. Therefore, ride behind a goat and approach it so that it flees towards the large stable entrance. You can use the shout to encourage several animals at the same time, but you should be careful not to chase them past the side of the gate.
As soon as all the goats are in the stable, a small obstacle course is set up in the pasture. Ride towards the fences and accelerate just before the obstacle. Epona automatically jumps over it. After a few successful jumps you can leave the pasture.
Back in Ordon: The Slingshot and the Fishing Rod
The next morning the children are already waiting in front of Link’s house. They enthusiastically say that the store in Ordon has a Slingshot in its range. However, we can’t buy them right away because the shop owner has a completely different problem: her cat has disappeared and isn’t thinking about returning home at the moment.
At the same time there is a second task in the village. Colin has made a fishing rod intended for Link. The pregnant woman by the river owns it, but is first waiting to get her lost wicker basket back. We therefore complete both tasks one after the other.
Bringing down the bees’ nest with the falcon
From the shop, head towards the pumpkin patch and the large mill wheel. A villager sits on a raised rock and calls Link to him. Climb up and jump onto the adjacent ledge. Special grass grows there that Link can whistle on.
Use the grass. A Falcon lands on Link’s arm. Aim it at the clearly visible bee nest and send it on its way. The bird knocks down the nest and at the same time makes a ruby find accessible later.
Retrieve the wicker basket
Then jump onto the roof of the adjacent building and work your way up over the rocks. Hawkgrass is growing again on the last ledge. Whistle and then look towards the river.
In the distance a monkey holds the missing wicker basket in its hands. Send the hawk at the monkey. The bird snatches the basket from him and brings it back to Link.
Carry the wicker basket to the pregnant woman by the river. Then follow her a bit to her house. As a thank you, Link receives the Fishing Rod.
New item: Fishing Rod
With the fishing rod you can catch fish in many waters Hyrule’s. Later there are significantly more extensive fishing opportunities and different baits. You can find an overview on our page Fish & Bait in Twilight Princess.
Luring the cat home
With the fishing rod we can now solve the shopkeeper’s problem. Go to the small jetty or the place on the river where the tomcat is and cast the fishing rod. Wait until the float is pulled well underwater and reel in the fish.
On GameCube and Wii you cast the fishing rod again and catch a second fish. The cat grabs this catch and runs back to the shop. In Twilight Princess HD, just one fish caught is enough; There you can then go directly to Sera.
Obtain the First Bottle
Also return to the store. The owner is so relieved about her cat’s return that she gives Link a bottle of milk. The milk can be drunk twice and restores health each time. The bottle will then remain permanently in your inventory.
New equipment: Bottle 1
This is the first of four bottles in Twilight Princess. Milk, healing potions, fairies, oil and other liquids can later be transported in it. You can find all Locations on our page All bottles in Twilight Princess.
Buy the slingshot
Then talk to the shopkeeper again and buy it Slingshot for 30 Rupees. You should still Rupees If you are missing, you will find several quick ways to top up your credit in the village. Where the bees’ nest previously hung, you can climb up and find a yellow and a blue one Rupee collect. In addition, the numerous pumpkins in the village can be picked up and smashed, making smaller ones again and again Rupees appear.
New item: Slingshot
The slingshot shoots Deku cores and is particularly suitable against distant opponents and targets. It will be needed several times in the coming sections.
Slingshot and sword training
Leave the shop and return to Link’s house. The children are already waiting for you and really want to try out the new slingshot. Talk to them and complete the short shooting training. First aim at the targets set up and then at the spider on the ladder of Link’s house.
Afterwards, climb up and enter the house. Another surprise awaits inside: On the sofa or in the chest provided for it lies Link’s first sword, the Wooden Sword.
Take it outside. The kids immediately want to see how Link handles it. In the short tutorial you will learn the basic sword techniques: normal blows, stabbing attacks, jumping attacks and other basic actions. These movements form the basis for almost all of the game’s fights.
As soon as the training is over, a monkey runs past the village. Talo and the other children immediately begin the pursuit, clearly overestimating their abilities. Get on Epona and follow them towards the forest.
New weapon: Wooden sword
The wooden sword is Link’s first melee weapon. However, it doesn’t last long – it will soon be replaced by a much better blade.
Faron Woods: The lamp
Ride further and further into the forest until Epona stops in front of an obstacle and can no longer follow. Dismount and go to the nearby campfire. There you will meet a man who will give Link a Lantern. You can use it to illuminate dark caves, light torches and burn spider webs.
New item: Lamp
The lamp requires oil. Therefore, always switch it off as soon as you no longer need it. Oil is sold at several locations throughout the game and can also be transported in a bottle.
Then return to the main path and continue following the route. Defeat the Deku Baba in front of the cave entrance and enter the dark tunnel.
Through the dark cave
Light the first torch at the entrance and slowly go through the cave. Bats, rats and Deku Babas attack from the darkness. Use the wooden sword and at the same time be careful not to use a lot of lamp oil unnecessarily.
Several large spider webs block the path. Pull out the lamp and hold the flame against it briefly. The net begins to burn and disappears completely.
At a junction you can take a short side path. Some enemies and a small Treasure Chest with 10 Rupees are waiting there. Then return to the main path and leave the cave.
The Small Key and the first Piece of Heart
After the cave you will reach a larger section of the forest. First take the northwest or left side path to the small cave area. Eliminate the enemies and open the Treasure Chest. Inside is a Small Key.
Don’t leave the cave right away. In the same area there are two extinguished torches. Light them both with the lamp.
Another Treasure Chest then appears or opens.
Therein lies the first Piece of Heart of our adventure.
Piece of Heart 1
Twilight Princess has a total of 45 Pieces of Heart. Unlike many older Zelda games, here you need five Pieces of Heart for an additional Heart Container. You can find all Locations on our page All Pieces of Heart in Twilight Princess.
Open the locked gate
Return to the main area with the Small Key and go to the locked gate on the opposite side. Open it and follow the path to the northern Faron Woods.
Several Bokoblins are waiting on the way. Directly in front of the bridge you will also find a small Treasure Chest with another Rupees. This area is also home to an unusual little shop run by a bird. Here you can fill lamp oil or red healing potion into an Empty Bottle and then put the corresponding amount into the cash register.
Follow the path further north. At the end you find Talo and the monkey in a wooden cage. First eliminate the Bokoblins and then smash the wooden sticks with the sword.
Talo is rescued and Link returns with him to Ordon.
Back in Ordon
The next day there is more work to do on the Ordon pasture. This time you have to drive significantly more goats into the stable than in the first attempt. The principle remains unchanged: ride behind the animals, use the call and steer them as straight as possible towards the stable.
After successful work, Link should finally set off on his journey to Hyrule. But shortly before departure there is an argument about Epona. Ilia takes the horse to the spring so that Link can first take care of the injury Epona sustained.
Go back to Ordon Spring. The normal gate is locked. So look for a small crawlspace in the wall next to the path. Link is able to squeeze through and reaches the source from the other side.
After the discussion, the situation initially seems to calm down. But suddenly Bulblins attack the source. Link is knocked out, Ilia and Colin are kidnapped, and events take a completely new direction.
Link becomes the wolf
After Link comes to, he follows the kidnappers towards the forest. A huge black wall suddenly blocks the way. When Link touches her, he is drawn into the Twilight Realm.
His body is changing. Link takes the form of a wolf and is shortly afterwards overwhelmed and captured by Shadow Beasts.
When he awakens, he finds himself chained in a prison cell. A strange little creature appears and frees him. It wants to help Link, but requires his cooperation in order to do so.
Prison cell escape
First, destroy the wooden crates in a corner of the cell. Behind it there is a place with loose earth. As a wolf, Link can dig there and slip under the grate.
Go into the adjacent cell and pull the large handle. This opens the way into the sewer system.
Follow the corridor and use Left Sense for the first time. With this perception, Wolf-Link can see things hidden to normal eyes – including the spirits of people trapped in the Twilight.
Change water level in the sewer
Follow the corridors to another handle and pull it. The water level rises, allowing Link to swim over the previously insurmountable obstacles.
On the other side, follow the corridor and reach a second mechanism. Pull the handle there too. The water sinks again.
Return to the locked grate. To the right there is now a low passage through which Wolf-Link can crawl.
With Midna through the tower
Behind the tunnel you come to a huge round room with a destroyed spiral staircase. The normal path to the top no longer exists. The mysterious creature on Link’s back now shows for the first time how useful his abilities can be.
Stand in the designated positions and call your companion. With their help, Wolf-Link can then perform several large jumps in a row. Work your way up the destroyed stairs and ledges.
At higher levels, several Shadow Flutters attack. They are easily defeated with a few quick bites. Then continue climbing over the rubble and boxes until you reach the roof or the upper tower area.
The next important cutscene awaits there. Link finally learns the name of his mysterious companion: Midna.
Return to Ordon as Wolf Link
After the events in the tower, Midna takes Link back near Ordon. She wants him to get her a sword and shield. This is also the opportunity for Link to move through the familiar village in his wolf form for the first time.
Go back to Ordon and cross the bridge. Since the residents would immediately see a wolf as a threat, you should avoid showing yourself openly if possible. Approach the two villagers carefully and listen to their conversation. This will tell you where a suitable sign is located.
Bring the falcon back to the left side
If you go back towards the shop, the Falke Wolf-Link will attack first. Run behind the building. Midna can help you get to the roof and then to the higher rocks.
Approach the man there from behind. Once you reach his position, you can try out the wolf’s special howl. Adjust the tone to the given lines.
The falcon recognizes Link, apologizes to a certain extent for his attacks and can now also be used in wolf form.
Steal the Ordon Shield
From the high rock you can get to the house where the shield is with Midna’s help. Look for the opening and jump in.
Inside, the Ordon Shield lies on a raised platform. First climb onto the table and then use Midna’s jump aid to get up.
The sign hangs on the wall. Run against it several times as a wolf. After a few clashes, the shield will fall down and can be picked up.
New equipment: Ordon Shield
The Ordon Shield protects Link from many frontal attacks and projectiles. Currently, Midna is carrying it for Link since he cannot use human equipment in wolf form.
Then leave the house through the window.
The Ordon Sword
After the shield, a suitable sword is still missing. Listen to the villagers again or follow Midna’s clue to find out the location of the weapon.
Stay away from the open village center if possible and follow the river instead. There is a pile of wood behind the corresponding house. Activate Links Sense. A place becomes visible in the ground where Wolf-Link can dig.
Dig under the wall of the house.
Inside lies the Ordon Sword. Pick it up and leave the house the same way.
New weapon: Ordon Sword
The Ordon Sword replaces the wooden sword and becomes Link’s first real blade. Once he regains his human form, he can use it in battle.
The Light Spirit Ordona
With sword and shield, Midna’s job in Ordon is completed. Make your way back towards the forest.
Before you can finally leave Ordon, a mysterious voice calls to Link and tells him to return to the source.
There appears a figure of darkness. Attack them as a wolf with bites and jumping attacks. The opponent is significantly more dangerous than the previous Shadow Beasts, but can be quickly defeated with consistent attacks.
After the fight, the Light Spirit Ordona appears. He explains to Link more about the twilight that has consumed Hyrule and hints at the role Link must take in the coming battle against the darkness.
This ends the long prologue in Ordon. In the next section we return to the Faron Woods, collect the first Tears of Light tears as a wolf and restore the light to the region. Link can then regain his human form and make his way to the first major dungeon.
Continue to Forest Temple
Link now has the Ordon Sword and the Ordon Shield, has met Midna and knows for the first time that a strange darkness has devoured large parts of Hyrule’s. The next path leads back to the Faron Woods, which is now completely in twilight.
In the next chapter of our Twilight Princess Walkthrough we collect the Tears of Light tears of the light spirit Faron, restore the light in the forest and then reach the Forest Temple. The first large dungeon of the game awaits there with several monkeys, the Gale Boomerang, more Pieces of Heart and the first Fused Shadow.