In Cadence of Hyrule, players have the ability to unlock new characters as they progress through the game. While you’ll start with either Link or Zelda, you’ll eventually be able to switch between four characters in total, with hints of a fifth character to be announced in the future. For completionists, or people who want to try out every playstyle, it’s worth taking the time to unlock all characters.
Having a hard time? Read on for our complete guide on how to unlock all playable characters in Cadence of Hyrule!
How to Unlock All Characters in Cadence of Hyrule
© Brace Yourself Games, Nintendo
In Cadence of Hyrule, you’ll automatically unlock one character at the start of the game. However, you’re expected to choose between to beloved characters, Link and Zelda. To unlock Link or Zelda at the beginning of the game, all you need to do is walk up to the one you wish to unlock and interact with them to wake them up.
There are minor differences between each character to keep in mind before you do this. First, Zelda will begin the game from her castle, while Link starts his journey from his house. The weapons loadout and abilities are different between the two as well, though you won’t have to wait too long before you’re able to unlock the one you didn’t wake (Link or Zelda).
How to Unlock Link or Zelda
© Brace Yourself Games, Nintendo
After choosing between Link or Zelda at the beginning of Cadence of Hyrule, you’ll have the opportunity to go back and unlock the character you skipped in order to switch between them. To unlock them, you’ll need to visit Kakariko Village. There, you’ll find the other character sleeping. To unlock them, you’ll need to wake them by acquiring Hibiscus Potion and giving it to the Gravekeeper.
To get the Hibiscus Potion, visit the village cemetery and interact with the gravestones. In doing so, you’ll uncover stairs leading to an underground dungeon. Explore this dungeon, defeat your shadow self, and you’ll be rewarded with Hibiscus Potion. Visit the sleeping character and give them the Hibiscus Potion to wake them up, unlocking them as a playable character that you can switch between in Cadence of Hyrule.
How to Switch Between Characters
© Brace Yourself Games, Nintendo
Once you have multiple characters unlocked in Cadence of Hyrule, you’ll be able to switch between the two. To switch between characters, all you need to do is visit a nearby Sheikah Stone. Not only do Sheikah Stones help preserve your progress and serve as fast-travel points, you can also switch between characters. There are plenty of Sheikah Stones located throughout the world, allowing you to switch characters as often as you like in Cadence of Hyrule.
How to Unlock Cadence
© Brace Yourself Games, Nintendo
While the game’s intro shows Cadence, you won’t be able to play her until you find and unlock her. To unlock Cadence in Cadence of Hyrule, you’ll need to find her in four different locations throughout the world. When you find her, speak with her and break the pots nearby to collect a few small rewards.
After you’ve spoken with Cadence at all four of her locations, you’ll unlock her as a playable character. Keep in mind that the game is randomized, meaning the locations we found Cadence at may not be the same for you. That said, we found her in the Lost Woods, at Lake Hylia, near the Gerudo Mines, and right outside Death Mountain. Again, you can switch between characters you’ve unlocked at Sheikah Stones.
How to Unlock Yves, the Deku Scrub
© Brace Yourself Games, Nintendo
Unlike Link/Zelda and Cadence, unlocking Yves, the Deku Scrub in Cadence of Hyrule is a process that’s a bit more involved. To unlock Yves, you’ll need to find him inside of a tree stump in the Lost Woods area. Note that he’s right next to the music puzzle you need to solve in order to wake the sleeping Tingle.
As a reward for completing the puzzle, you receive Tingle’s Dowser which will help you find your way through the Lost Woods. Before you leave, speak with Yves to learn of his ambitions of becoming a hero. After that, you’ll need to collect 20 total Deku Seeds in order to unlock Yves. Note that 10 of these Deku Seeds go towards upgrading your Stamina, while the other 10 are given to Yves. Once you’ve given Yves the Deku Seeds, you’ll officially unlock him as a playable character in Cadence of Hyrule.
How to Unlock Other Characters
© Brace Yourself Games, Nintendo
As you explore Cadence of Hyrule, there are subtle hints that a fifth unlockable character may be present. No one has been able to find and unlock this character as of the time of this writing, though we have no doubt that Brace Yourself Games has plans to introduce them sometime soon.
Be sure to check back, as we’ll be updating this guide as new unlockable characters are added to Cadence of Hyrule. Until then, we recommend playing as either Link or Zelda, though Cadence can be useful in certain scenarios, and Yves can be fun despite how fragile he is. You can switch between characters at Sheikah Stones, meaning you don’t have to commit to one character for long if you decide you’d rather go back to playing as your main.
Now that you know how to unlock all playable characters in Cadence of Hyrule, be sure to read through some of our other guides including how to get the Power Glove in Cadence of Hyrule, how to turn off rhythm mechanics in Cadence of Hyrule, and how to get Diamonds in Cadence of Hyrule.
