It’s hard to get out of a game at your peak
It’s a simple question, but your answer could be a bit more complicated – do you often run New Game+? What do you need from them? Anything more? Or are you often looking for an excuse to stay in this world for a while longer?
Last weekend, I was back Rogue Legacy 2, a game i finished. Except, well, I’m not done yet. Not yet! There are permanent character buffs to unlock and variant bosses that are ever harder to find and kill, so my job isn’t done.
I went back this weekend for a quick run when there was some downtime, but I got caught out. As former Destructoid writer Brett Makedonski half-jokingly told me on Steam, “you’ve finished the review, you don’t need to play anymore”.
But I have to! Actually, I’m actually playing New Game + in again parallel game with Rogue Legacy 2. I also have chipped in No one saves the worlda form-shifting action-adventure RPG that’s all about progressing – check out the list of combat challenges – to unlock new ways of character building and combos.
Like Chris, I would recommend it. It’s a lovely grinder. That said, close to the 20-hour mark, I’m ready to hit the finish line. However, I didn’t know there would be a New Game+!
It could just be a finishing trend
Part of the appeal, I admit, is the platinum trophy, and clearing the game I’ve finished afterwards has always left me satisfied. End No one saves the world again on New Game + will get me the trophy “The world is so good, I saved it twice”, that’s the only thing standing in my way. It was a great incentive to immediately return.
It’s also fun to start over with all of these character forms unlocked, S-rated, and equipped with quirky active and passive abilities. I’ve spent many hours just searching for a land, and even more time mulling over the challenges to rank up. I was confused at some point, for sure. Now, in New Game+, I’m back with all the hard-earned knowledge – it’s fun to be a rocket-shooting monk.
Of course, the ante was raised to keep things interesting for round two. In New Game+, No one saves the world Level up enemies and renovate all dungeons for mods that require well thought out character building. The screenshot above originates from a dungeon boss fight that, in New Game+, lasted a second. With the new rules, I’ll take – and remove – 9,999 damage. Everyone is a glass cannon!
Or the promise of exciting new content
Rogue Legacy 2Meanwhile, it’s still my favorite.
In New Game + you’ll go through various difficulty-enhancing “burdens” and have enough detailed transitions that you can actually set yourself up for success (or failure). If you are a pro at avoiding spikes and other obstacles, it is possible to increase their damage. If you don’t feel threatened by normal enemies, increase their numbers or increase the speed of the projectile.
I don’t care about making this game even harder than it is now, Hades Style, only to fail a bunch and eventually (hopefully!) come out on top after a lot of practice. I mean, if I could, sure, that would be great. The higher your new game + “theme” the better the gold grinding, but better yet: you can also unlock new “Defense” bosses instead. That means more complex boss attack patterns and even more lore, if you’re into these basic stories.
Not exaggerating, so far the Thu estuaries have had such fierce battles, I knew I had to watch them all. I’m only (“only”) on New Game + 3, so there’s a long way to go.
Oddly enough, in an out-of-character twist, I’ve mostly only mentioned a good New Game+ contender that many of you are probably learning right now or planning to soon: Elden Ring.
I always love New Game + in extension soul family as people who like to play games as much as possible before putting them away. That said, with Elden Ring, my first clear play took so much time and energy that when the NG+ option popped up, I knew I needed some space. If not for me, then at least for my fiancée, who is beginning to think this haunting game will never end. I did enjoy it.
To get the best of both worlds, I backed up my last game save file, started a New Game+, then steamed the required bosses and took it to a much later area to pick up a weapon that I have, like many other first-timers, completely missed. The deed was done, so I deleted that run. Now I can choose Elden Ring back up when the time is right – though I think a fresh run with a new Tracked might be more enjoyable? Thinking about that?
In recent years, New Game+ has become a staple for certain players, and I am without a doubt one of those people. How about you? Do you need a NieRin the style of continuous narrative carrots on a stick, or you all want to continue your adventure for raw profits, as in Nioh 2?
Also, do you ever feel guilty about not moving on? You should not! But do you?
Jordan Devore
Jordan is a founding member of Destructoid and the one who posts seemingly random pictures. They are anything but random.
