When to Embark on Your New Game Plus Adventure in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

So, you’ve conquered ancient Greece, navigated the political intrigue, and maybe even romanced a god or two. You’re standing at the precipice: New Game Plus (NG+) in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. The burning question now is: when’s the right time to dive back in?

The short answer is: it depends on your goals. There’s no objectively “best” time, but here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

Immediately After Completing the Main Story: This is the most straightforward approach. You’ve seen the credits roll, resolved the family drama (hopefully to your liking!), and feel ready to experience the story again with your hard-earned skills and gear. Starting immediately lets you relive the narrative with a fresh perspective, making different choices and exploring missed opportunities, all while feeling like a total badass from the get-go.

After Achieving 100% Completion (or Close To It): If you’re a completionist, aiming for every location, side quest, and collectible before starting NG+ might be your style. This ensures you’ve squeezed every last drop of content out of your first playthrough and can then use NG+ to further refine your character, max out abilities, and perhaps even tackle the game on a higher difficulty. This is a great choice for those who enjoy the journey of absolute mastery.

When You Feel “Burned Out” But Still Want to Play: Let’s be honest, Odyssey is a massive game. Reaching the ending can sometimes feel like a marathon. If you’re starting to feel fatigued by clearing every question mark on the map but still crave more, NG+ can inject new life into the experience. Knowing what’s coming allows you to focus on the narrative, make different choices, and avoid the tedious grinds you might have encountered initially.

When You Want to Experiment with a Different Playstyle: Perhaps you focused on a warrior build in your first playthrough. NG+ offers the perfect opportunity to respec your abilities and experiment with a hunter or assassin-focused build. The familiarity of the world allows you to concentrate on mastering new combat techniques and tactical approaches.

Ultimately, the decision is yours. Consider what you enjoyed most about your first playthrough and what you hope to achieve in NG+. It’s about tailoring the experience to your preferences and ensuring you continue to have a blast in ancient Greece.

Understanding the Benefits of New Game Plus

Starting NG+ isn’t just about playing the same game again. It offers several compelling advantages:

• Keep Your Progress: Retain all your acquired gear, weapons, abilities, ship upgrades, and XP.
• Increased Difficulty (Optional): Crank up the difficulty to face a greater challenge, knowing you have the tools to succeed.
• Revisit Story Choices: Make different decisions in dialogue and quests, leading to alternate outcomes.
• Discover Missed Content: Explore areas you overlooked or side quests you skipped in your first playthrough.
• Master New Builds: Experiment with different skill trees and combat styles, utilizing your existing knowledge to optimize your character.
• Farm Resources More Efficiently: Leverage your advanced gear and skills to gather resources more quickly.
• Enjoy the Story with Context: Having already experienced the story, you can appreciate the nuances and foreshadowing even more.

New Game Plus: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding New Game Plus in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to further guide your decision:

What exactly carries over to New Game Plus?

Your level, experience, abilities, inventory (weapons, armor, resources, etc.), ship upgrades, and map progress (excluding location discovery) will all carry over to New Game Plus. Your quest progress and cultist progress will be reset.

What doesn’t carry over to New Game Plus?

Quest progress, map location discovery (you’ll need to re-explore the map), Cult of Kosmos progress, and any story-specific items or progress.

Can I change the difficulty level in New Game Plus?

Yes, you can adjust the difficulty level at any time, just like in your original playthrough. This allows you to tailor the challenge to your liking.

Can I change my character (Alexios/Kassandra) in New Game Plus?

Yes, you can choose to play as the opposite character in New Game Plus.

Does the world scale to my level in New Game Plus?

Yes, enemies and areas will scale to your current level, ensuring a consistent challenge regardless of how powerful you become.

Can I start another New Game Plus after completing the first one?

Yes, you can start multiple New Game Plus playthroughs, further increasing the scaling and challenge. You can create a truly epic character across multiple runs.

Are there any new items or content in New Game Plus?

While there aren’t brand-new areas or quests exclusive to NG+, you’ll have the opportunity to acquire any legendary items or complete any quests you missed in your original playthrough. Plus, you’ll have the chance to complete the game at a higher difficulty level which can make the gameplay new!

What happens if I overwrite my original save file?

New Game Plus does not overwrite your manual save files from your previous adventure. You’ll always have the option to return to your original playthrough.

Is it worth doing all the side quests before starting New Game Plus?

This depends on your preference. If you enjoyed the side quests, doing them before NG+ can provide valuable XP and gear. However, you can also tackle them in NG+ with your enhanced abilities.

How do I access New Game Plus?

After completing the main story, simply head to the main menu and select “New Game Plus.”

Is there a level cap in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

Yes, the level cap in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is 99.

How long does it take to beat Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

The main story can take around 45 hours, while 100% completion can take upwards of 143 hours.

What’s the best way to level up quickly in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

Completing main story quests, side quests, and bounties are effective ways to level up. Also, engaging in conquest battles and exploring new locations grants valuable experience.

Where can I find more resources about game design and learning?

For more information about game design and its impact on learning, be sure to visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website to learn how games can benefit players and help grow their minds. Games like AC Odyssey are perfect for players to learn from and grow to be better learners.

Does gear level carry over into New Game Plus?

Yes, your gear levels carry over into New Game Plus. This means that the same gear you had in your first playthrough will still be at the same level when you start a new game. However, you will need to continue upgrading your gear as you level up in New Game Plus to ensure that it remains effective against enemies.

Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Odyssey

Ultimately, the “when” of starting New Game Plus in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a deeply personal decision. Weigh your goals, consider your playstyle, and choose the option that will maximize your enjoyment of this incredible game. Whether you’re a seasoned mercenary looking for a greater challenge or a curious explorer eager to uncover every secret, NG+ offers a fantastic opportunity to relive the Odyssey experience in a fresh and exciting way. Now go forth, Misthios, and forge your own legend!