How do I complete the shrine quest involving the ancient ruins in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The shrine quest involving the ancient ruins in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is called "The Three Giant Brothers" and is located in the Eldin region. This quest requires you to solve a puzzle involving three large stone statues and a hidden shrine. Here is a detailed guide to help you complete this quest.

First, you need to travel to the Eldin region, specifically to the area near the Eldin Tower. The quest begins at the Goronbi River, where you will find three large stone statues of Goron brothers. These statues are positioned in a way that they are looking towards a specific point. Your goal is to align their gazes so that they all look at the same spot, which will reveal the hidden shrine.

To start, you need to interact with the NPC named Kabetta, who is located near the statues. He will explain the legend of the three Goron brothers and how they were turned into stone. He will also give you a hint about aligning their gazes. This is your clue to solving the puzzle.

The first step is to examine the statues and determine where they are currently looking. Each statue has a distinct gaze direction. You will notice that one statue is looking towards the north, another towards the east, and the third towards the south. Your task is to adjust their gazes so that they all look towards the same point.

To adjust the statues, you need to use a combination of weapons and the environment. The statues can be rotated by hitting them with a weapon. Each hit will cause the statue to turn slightly. You need to hit the statues until their gazes align. This requires careful observation and patience.

Start with the northern statue. Hit it until it is looking towards the east. Next, move to the eastern statue and hit it until it is also looking towards the east. Finally, adjust the southern statue so that it is looking towards the east as well. Once all three statues are looking in the same direction, a cutscene will trigger, and the hidden shrine will be revealed.

There are a few important tips to keep in mind while solving this puzzle. First, make sure to save your game before starting the puzzle. This way, if you make a mistake, you can reload your save and try again without losing progress. Second, use a weapon with a long reach, such as a spear, to make it easier to hit the statues. Third, take your time and observe the statues carefully after each hit to ensure they are turning in the correct direction.

Common mistakes to avoid include hitting the statues too many times, which can cause them to overshoot the desired direction. It is also important to avoid using bombs or other explosive weapons, as they can cause the statues to turn too quickly and make it difficult to align their gazes accurately.

Advanced techniques include using the environment to your advantage. For example, you can use the nearby rocks and cliffs to position yourself in a way that makes it easier to hit the statues. Additionally, you can use the camera to zoom in and get a better view of the statues' gazes, which can help you align them more precisely.

Required items for this quest include a weapon to hit the statues and possibly some healing items in case you encounter any enemies in the area. Preparation is minimal, but it is always a good idea to have a few extra weapons and some food or elixirs to restore health.

Alternative approaches to solving this puzzle include using the Magnesis rune to move metal objects near the statues, which can help you align their gazes more easily. However, this method requires more precision and may not be as straightforward as simply hitting the statues with a weapon.

In conclusion, the "The Three Giant Brothers" shrine quest is a fun and challenging puzzle that requires careful observation and patience. By following the steps outlined above and keeping the tips and considerations in mind, you should be able to solve the puzzle and reveal the hidden shrine. Good luck, and enjoy your adventure in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.