Can You NG+ Again in The Witcher 3? A Deep Dive into Recursive Geralt

Yes, you absolutely can play New Game Plus (NG+) again in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, effectively creating a NG++ experience, and even beyond! However, there are important considerations and nuances to understand before embarking on this recursive journey. Let’s delve into the mechanics, benefits, and potential drawbacks of repeatedly playing through The Witcher 3 in NG+.

The Allure of Endless Witcher

The Witcher 3, already a sprawling and deeply engaging RPG, offers substantial replay value through its branching storylines, challenging combat, and captivating world. New Game Plus takes this a step further, allowing players to carry over their character progression and hard-earned gear into a fresh playthrough, facing tougher enemies and potentially unlocking even higher-level items. The prospect of layering NG+ upon NG+, creating an increasingly powerful and experienced Geralt, is understandably appealing to many fans.

How Recursive NG+ Works

The core principle is straightforward: after completing an NG+ run, you can start another NG+ using that completed save file. This process can theoretically be repeated indefinitely. Here’s what generally carries over with each iteration:

• Character Level: Your Geralt’s level carries over, although enemy levels will scale accordingly, ensuring the challenge remains.
• Skills and Abilities: All acquired skills and mutagens are retained.
• Gear: Weapons, armor, potions, oils, decoctions, and crafting materials are transferred (with some exceptions, discussed later).
• Money: Crowns carry over, which is crucial for purchasing diagrams and crafting materials in later NG+ cycles.
• Recipes and Diagrams: Recipes for alchemy and crafting blueprints are retained, allowing you to immediately start creating powerful items.
• Horse Equipment: Saddlebags, blinders, and saddles also carry over.

Why You Might Want to NG+ Multiple Times

• Experience the Story Differently: Knowing the plot allows for different dialogue choices and a more strategic approach to quests. Perhaps you’ll side with different characters, explore alternative quest paths, or focus on completing side content you missed previously.
• Challenge Yourself: Enemy levels scale higher with each NG+ cycle, providing a constantly evolving level of difficulty. This is especially appealing for players seeking a truly demanding experience.
• Gather More Resources: Completing quests and defeating enemies in NG+ yields greater rewards, enabling you to amass wealth and powerful gear more quickly. This wealth can be used to acquire Grandmaster gear for the other Witcher schools.
• Reach Maximum Potential: While character level eventually caps, optimizing your build and maximizing your equipment potential provides long-term character progression. Some gear also scales upwards with each new NG+.
• Complete Everything: Multiple playthroughs allow for a deeper exploration of the world, ensuring that no stone is left unturned and no contract remains unfinished.

The Drawbacks and Limitations of Recursive NG+

While endlessly playing NG+ sounds enticing, there are some drawbacks to consider:

• Potential for Tedium: Repeating the same content repeatedly can become monotonous for some players.
• Item Scaling Issues: Some items don’t scale properly with each NG+ cycle, potentially becoming obsolete. You’ll eventually outlevel certain gear, making its utility diminish.
• The Grind: Leveling up and obtaining the best gear in the game still requires considerable time and effort. Multiple NG+ cycles can exacerbate the grind.
• Story Fatigue: The Witcher 3’s narrative is excellent, but repeated playthroughs can diminish the emotional impact of certain scenes.
• Save File Bloat: Repeatedly creating new NG+ save files can lead to a cluttered save game menu. Consider manually managing your saves to avoid confusion.

Tips for a Successful Recursive NG+ Experience

• Plan Your Build: Decide on your preferred playstyle and allocate skill points accordingly. Consider using a character build planner to optimize your character.
• Prioritize Key Items: Focus on acquiring essential diagrams and crafting materials early on to create powerful gear.
• Manage Your Inventory: With all your gear carrying over, inventory management becomes even more crucial. Regularly sell or dismantle unwanted items to avoid becoming over-encumbered.
• Adjust Difficulty: Don’t be afraid to adjust the difficulty settings if the game becomes too easy or too difficult.
• Take Breaks: If you start feeling burnt out, take a break from the game and come back to it later.

Essential Considerations for Repeated NG+ Runs

Before embarking on a seemingly endless journey in the world of The Witcher 3, make sure you consider these points:

• Enemy Scaling: Keep in mind that enemy scaling has its limits. While they do get stronger with each NG+ cycle, there will be a point where their stats don’t increase significantly anymore.
• Alchemy Matters: With alchemy recipes being retained, it is essential to use decoctions and potions strategically. This allows for a diverse approach to combat.
• Mods: If you’re playing on PC, consider using mods to enhance your experience. Mods can add new quests, items, and gameplay mechanics.
• Level Caps: The game does have level caps, so at some point you may reach the maximum. It does however take some dedicated playthroughs to get to that level.

Ultimately, the decision to play New Game Plus repeatedly in The Witcher 3 comes down to personal preference. If you enjoy the gameplay loop, the challenge, and the opportunity to explore the world in new ways, then go for it! Just be mindful of the potential drawbacks and take steps to mitigate them.

Now, let’s address some frequently asked questions about playing NG+ in The Witcher 3:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What level should I be before starting NG+?

Ideally, you should be around level 50-55 before starting NG+. This ensures you have access to most skills and have a decent set of gear.

2. Do Gwent cards carry over into NG+?

No, Gwent cards do not carry over into New Game Plus. You’ll need to collect them all again.

3. Does my romance choice carry over?

No, your romance choice is reset when you start NG+. You have the opportunity to pursue a different romance in each playthrough.

4. What happens to quest items in NG+?

Most quest items are removed from your inventory when starting NG+. Key items related to the main storyline will need to be reacquired.

5. How does enemy scaling work in NG+?

Enemies scale to your level in NG+, ensuring that they remain challenging. In subsequent NG+ cycles, the enemy levels increase further, presenting an even greater challenge.

6. Are there any new quests in NG+?

No, there are no new quests added in New Game Plus. The quest content remains the same.

7. Can I change the difficulty in NG+?

Yes, you can change the difficulty at any time during a New Game Plus playthrough.

8. Does my horse Roach also carry over?

Yes, your horse, Roach, carries over, along with any horse equipment you have equipped.

9. What happens to skill points if I reach the level cap?

Once you reach the level cap, you will no longer earn skill points. Plan your build carefully before reaching the cap.

10. Are there any special rewards for completing NG+ multiple times?

There are no specific rewards for completing NG+ multiple times beyond the satisfaction of increased character power and challenge.

11. Can I skip cutscenes in NG+?

Yes, you can skip most cutscenes in New Game Plus, which can speed up subsequent playthroughs.

12. Does completing the DLC before starting NG+ affect anything?

Yes, completing the DLC (Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine) before starting NG+ allows you to carry over any mutations and gear acquired in those expansions.

13. What’s the best build for NG+?

There’s no single “best” build, but a balanced build focusing on both combat and signs is generally effective in NG+. Adrenaline generation builds are also very popular.

14. Will my choices in the main game affect the DLCs in NG+?

Yes, choices made in the main game can have an impact on the DLC storylines in NG+.

15. Where can I learn more about game design and learning?

The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) is a great resource for learning more about the intersection of game design and education. Check out their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for valuable insights.

By understanding the mechanics, benefits, and potential drawbacks of repeatedly playing New Game Plus in The Witcher 3, you can decide whether this recursive journey is right for you. Happy hunting!