Should I Start a New Game Plus in God of War? A Deep Dive
So, you’ve conquered the realms, faced down gods, and watched Kratos rediscover his humanity in the breathtaking world of God of War. The credits have rolled, the Bifrost has settled, and you’re left with that familiar gamer’s dilemma: what now? The question of whether or not to embark on a New Game Plus (NG+) adventure looms large. The answer, in short, is a resounding YES.
If you enjoyed God of War, and want a richer, more challenging and customizable experience, diving into NG+ is absolutely the right choice. You get to experience the story from the start, with all the advantages of your previous playthrough, and none of the downsides.
Here’s a comprehensive look at why you should dive into NG+ in God of War, and what awaits you on the other side.
Why New Game Plus is a Must-Play Experience
Think of New Game Plus as the director’s cut of your God of War experience. It’s not just a simple replay; it’s a chance to refine your skills, experiment with different builds, and truly dominate the Norse landscape. Several compelling reasons make it a must-play.
Unleash Your True Potential From the Start
Imagine starting your journey with the Leviathan Axe fully upgraded, the Blades of Chaos blazing from the start, and a stockpile of powerful armor and enchantments at your disposal. NG+ delivers this fantasy, empowering you from the get-go. This allows you to tackle challenges and explore areas that were previously inaccessible or far too difficult during your first playthrough.
A New Level of Challenge
While the initial hours might feel a bit easier, don’t be fooled. Enemies are significantly tougher in NG+, forcing you to utilize your skills and gear to their fullest extent. This increased difficulty adds a new layer of depth to the combat, demanding strategic thinking and skillful execution. Think you mastered the parry timing? Think again.
Build Variety and Experimentation
With all your gear available from the start, you can truly experiment with different builds and playstyles. Want to focus on runic attacks and elemental damage? Go for it. Prefer a strength-based build that turns Kratos into an unstoppable juggernaut? The choice is yours. NG+ empowers you to customize your experience and discover new ways to approach combat. This is where the game goes from a good experience, to one that allows you to build to your style.
Unveiling Hidden Secrets and Collectibles
Having all your abilities from the start opens up new avenues for exploration. You can access areas that were previously blocked, discover hidden collectibles, and uncover secrets that you may have missed during your first playthrough. The world of God of War is vast and full of hidden depths, and NG+ allows you to truly explore every corner of it. You also have more opportunities to interact with certain locations at different times, yielding new discoveries.
Extending the Narrative Experience
While the core story remains the same, replaying the game with a deeper understanding of the characters and events can enhance your appreciation for the narrative. You’ll pick up on subtle nuances and foreshadowing that you might have missed the first time around, adding layers of meaning to the experience. It’s also just fun seeing the story play out with a completely different Kratos.
Mastering the Art of Combat
God of War, at its heart, is a combat-driven game. NG+ provides the perfect opportunity to truly master the combat system. Facing tougher enemies with a wider range of abilities, you’ll be forced to hone your skills, learn enemy attack patterns, and develop new strategies. This is where you transform from a competent warrior into a true god of war.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About God of War New Game Plus
Here are some commonly asked questions about New Game Plus in God of War to help you make an informed decision.
1. Does New Game Plus make God of War harder?
Yes, significantly. Enemies are tougher, hit harder, and often have new attack patterns. You’ll need to utilize your skills and gear strategically to survive.
2. Do you lose everything if you start a new game on God of War?
Yes. Starting a new game overwrites your autosaves. Always create a manual save before starting a new game to preserve your progress. However, NG+ creates a separate save file and won’t overwrite your original.
3. What is the point of New Game Plus?
NG+ allows you to replay the game with all your unlocked gear and abilities, increased difficulty, and new challenges. It’s a way to extend the experience, experiment with different builds, and truly master the game.
4. Does New Game Plus get harder each time?
Yes, the difficulty increases with each subsequent NG+ playthrough, although the jump isn’t as significant as the first time. Think of it as a steep bell curve, but the increase in difficulty is still welcome.
5. Does New Game Plus delete my old save?
No. Starting an NG+ creates a separate save file, leaving your original save untouched.
6. What resets in God of War New Game Plus?
You retain all your Armor, Talismans, Enchantments, Runic Attacks, Skills, and Weapons. However, Light Arrows and Shock Arrows are reset and must be reacquired during the story.
7. Should I keep playing God of War after beating the game?
Absolutely! There’s a wealth of post-game content, including challenging Valkyrie battles, hidden realms to explore, and powerful gear to acquire.
8. How many times can you do New Game Plus in God of War?
You can start a new NG+ run from any NG+ save file, allowing you to replay the game as many times as you like with your accumulated progress.
9. What is the best armor in God of War New Game Plus?
This depends on your playstyle. The Zeus Armor is a high-risk, high-reward option for aggressive players, while other sets offer different benefits, such as increased defense or elemental damage.
10. What is different in God of War New Game Plus?
Enemies are stronger, the level cap is increased, and weapons can be upgraded to ‘Plus’ versions with stronger effects. You can also earn Gilded Coins to purchase new enchantments.
11. Do weapons get stronger in New Game Plus?
NG+ allows you to upgrade your existing weapons to higher levels, making them more powerful.
12. How many endings does God of War have?
God of War technically has two endings. The initial ending after defeating Baldur and a secret ending revealed after returning home.
13. What to do after 100% God of War Ragnarok?
Consider exploring remaining optional content such as Muspelheim Crucible, Freeing the real Týr, Berserkers, Draugr Holes, Secret bosses, Bloom Flowers, Kvasir poems, and Dvalin’s Lost pages.
14. What is the reward for killing all the Ravens in God of War?
Killing enough of Odin’s ravens unlocks legendary chests at the Raven Tree in Niflheim, containing armor pieces or Runic attacks.
15. How do you get black bear armor in God of War Ragnarok?
You will get the Armor of the Black Bear immediately after beginning their New Game Plus playthrough.
The Educational Value of New Game Plus: A Perspective from Games Learning Society
Beyond the sheer entertainment value, NG+ modes like the one in God of War can offer valuable insights into learning and mastery. Replaying a game with pre-existing knowledge and abilities allows players to focus on higher-level strategies, refine their skills, and develop a deeper understanding of the game’s systems. This process mirrors real-world learning, where building upon a foundation of knowledge leads to expertise.
Exploring these concepts further, the Games Learning Society, at GamesLearningSociety.org, is a great resource for learning more about the intersection of gaming, education, and cognitive development. The website offers research, insights, and community engagement opportunities for educators, game developers, and anyone interested in harnessing the power of games for learning.
Final Verdict
Starting a New Game Plus run in God of War is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoyed the original experience and wants to delve deeper into its world, combat system, and narrative. It’s a chance to become a true god of war, wielding immense power, facing challenging foes, and uncovering hidden secrets. So, pick up your axe, sharpen your blades, and embark on a new adventure. Midgard awaits!