Does Starting a New Game Overwrite Your Progress in God of War?
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Yes, starting a new game in God of War will overwrite your current autosave progress. The game utilizes an autosave system, continuously recording your journey as you play. This means that when you initiate a new playthrough from the main menu, the game will begin overwriting the existing autosaves with the progress of the new game. Consequently, you will effectively lose access to your previous campaign’s progress unless you have created manual saves. Understanding how the save system operates is essential to avoid losing valuable gameplay hours. This also raises a number of frequently asked questions regarding New Game Plus, what carries over, and the nuances of saving.
Understanding the God of War Save System
God of War’s reliance on an autosave system, while convenient, also carries the risk of accidental overwriting if the player is unaware. The game does not automatically create multiple save slots for every playthrough, nor does it ask for a confirmation when starting a new game. This system works well for a single playthrough, ensuring the player never loses too much progress, but it also means that the game constantly saves progress in the background and there are not multiple auto-save options to go back to if you need to go back to a previous chapter. The only option for a player to have multiple saves is to use the Manual Save function. This means that if you begin a new game, you’re starting from scratch, replacing previous autosaves. This is different from the New Game Plus mode which preserves a large part of your progress.
Manual Saves: Your Backup Plan
To avoid losing your current campaign, players should regularly create manual saves. This is particularly useful if you wish to experiment with a new game or New Game Plus without jeopardizing your original save. Manual saves provide the essential backup necessary, allowing you to return to earlier states of your game. However, they do take up space, so be mindful of the number of manual saves you create.
New Game Plus: A Fresh Start with Your Gear
Fortunately, God of War provides a “New Game+” mode which is very different than simply starting a new game. Unlike starting a brand new game, New Game Plus (NG+) is designed to allow players to replay the game with a majority of their progress intact. This is a very useful feature that allows players to enjoy the story again, with all the upgrades and equipment they’ve already collected. When you start a NG+ game, you will begin a new story with your old gear.
What Carries Over in New Game Plus?
When beginning New Game+, you’ll keep a large amount of your progress, including:
- All armor and accessories: Everything Kratos wore or had in his inventory transfers to the new game.
- All skills: You’ll retain all of the skills Kratos learned in the previous playthrough.
- Hacksilver: Your accumulated currency carries over.
- Runic Attacks: All acquired runic attacks will be available.
- Weapons: You’ll keep access to the Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos, and Draupnir Spear.
- Equipment Upgrades: All weapon upgrades carry over.
However, note that there are some exceptions. You will lose story-related items and upgrades that must be reacquired through the story, such as:
- Light Arrows and Shock Arrows: These arrows need to be re-unlocked as the game progresses.
- Blades of Chaos Winds of Helm ability: This particular ability will need to be unlocked again.
- Some Gear: Some gear will be missable if you don’t grab it on the first playthrough.
What Doesn’t Carry Over?
While much is preserved in New Game Plus, certain elements are reset:
- Collectibles: Items such as ravens and artifacts are not carried over and must be collected again.
- Labors and Lore: These progression elements are reset.
- Story Progression: Main story progress is reset, although New Game Plus allows you to skip the main story missions.
- Side Quests: Side quests and favors are also reset, meaning you can complete them again.
Why Play New Game Plus?
New Game Plus offers several compelling reasons to revisit God of War:
- Increased Difficulty: Enemies are more powerful, offering a greater challenge.
- New Equipment: Equipment can be upgraded beyond the original level cap. Level 9 gear can be converted into new ‘Plus’ versions which provides additional progression and increases the level cap to 10.
- Refreshed Experience: Replaying the game with your fully upgraded Kratos provides a very different experience.
- Alternate Endings Exploration: New Game Plus can enable players to explore different outcomes in games with multiple endings.
God of War Ragnarök: New Game Plus Specifics
The New Game Plus system for God of War Ragnarök builds on the existing foundations set by the 2018 game. This system offers an even more enriched experience for returning players. Like the previous title, Ragnarök’s New Game Plus allows players to experience the full story again with their previously acquired gear.
What’s New in Ragnarök’s New Game Plus?
- All Abilities and Armor: You’ll start with all your abilities, armor, and weapons, including the Draupnir spear.
- Level Cap Increase: The level cap increases allowing for additional character progression.
- Story-Locked Items: Some key story items won’t be available right from the start and will be obtained through the new playthrough.
How to Start New Game Plus in Ragnarök?
To initiate New Game Plus in God of War Ragnarök, you must first complete the main story quest, “The Realms at War.” Once this quest is complete, the “New Game+” option will be available on the main menu.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I have multiple game saves in God of War?
Yes, you can have multiple saves in God of War by using Manual Saves. However, starting a new game will overwrite your autosaves. To be safe, use manual saves before starting a new game to maintain access to previous playthroughs.
2. Does starting a New Game Plus overwrite my main save?
No, New Game Plus does not overwrite your main save. It creates a new save game file based on your chosen completed game. Your original save remains intact, allowing you to revert back to it anytime you wish.
3. Do I lose the Blades of Chaos in New Game Plus?
No, you do not lose the Blades of Chaos in New Game Plus. You will retain all of your weapons, however some specific story abilities, such as the Blades of Chaos Winds of Helm ability, will need to be re-acquired.
4. Do I need to play the previous God of War games to understand the newest one?
It’s not necessary to play the previous God of War games to enjoy the new ones, as the 2018 God of War and Ragnarök are a fresh start for Kratos. However, playing the previous installments will provide additional context and background on Kratos’ story.
5. What is the point of New Game Plus mode?
The point of New Game Plus is to replay the game with all your collected gear, providing new challenges with increased difficulty, additional upgrades, and a chance to fully explore the game world again. It’s a good way for players to try different builds and explore different game play strategies.
6. What happens if I start a New Game accidentally?
If you accidentally start a new game, you will lose all of your previous autosave progress, which will be overwritten by the new game. That is why you should create manual saves before starting a new game.
7. Is Zeus armor the best in God of War New Game Plus?
The Zeus armor is considered one of the best for damage output but has high risk due to increased incoming damage. It’s best used by highly skilled players. It is a high-risk, high-reward armor set that focuses on dealing significant amounts of damage.
8. Do all my resources carry over in New Game Plus?
Yes, most resources, such as Hacksilver, carry over in New Game Plus. However, certain story-related items or collectibles do not.
9. How many times can I play New Game Plus?
You can technically play New Game Plus as many times as you like as long as you keep your save from before starting the New Game Plus.
10. Is there a level cap in New Game Plus?
Yes, the level cap in New Game Plus is increased to Level 10, allowing for further character progression through upgraded equipment.
11. What do the Primordial Flames do?
Primordial Flames are used to upgrade Kratos’ weapons in New Game Plus. These flames are rare and primarily obtained from major bosses.
12. How do I get to level 10?
To get to level 10 in New Game Plus, you need to upgrade your equipment to Level 9, then convert them at a Dwarven Shop, going through additional levels of 9.1, 9.2, and 9.3.
13. What is the reward for killing all the Ravens in God of War?
By wiping out all of Odin’s Ravens, players will unlock the Hilt of Forsbranr. This unique piece of equipment pushes enemies back with force and provides a protective aura for Kratos in the process.
14. Do all story-locked items carry over?
No. Certain story locked items, such as Atreus’ arrows, will need to be unlocked again. Other story locked items will carry over.
15. Can you skip main story missions in New Game Plus?
Yes, New Game Plus allows players the option to skip main story missions. All side quests will be available again.