Does New Game Plus Make Enemies Stronger? A Deep Dive

Yes, absolutely! One of the defining features of New Game Plus (NG+) in many games, particularly those of the Souls-like genre, is that it significantly increases the strength of enemies. They boast higher health pools and deal more damage, presenting a tougher challenge for players who’ve already conquered the game once. This isn’t just a simple stat bump; the scaling is often designed to keep things interesting and force players to adapt their strategies. Let’s explore this in more detail.

Understanding Enemy Scaling in NG+

The specific implementation of enemy strength increases varies from game to game, but some general principles apply:

• Increased Health and Damage: The most common change is a straightforward increase to enemy health and damage output. This means battles will take longer, and players will be more vulnerable to enemy attacks.
• Scaling Difficulty: Some games, like Elden Ring, implement a dynamic scaling system where the difficulty increase is more pronounced in earlier areas. This is because players typically carry over their endgame gear and levels, making the early game trivial if enemies weren’t significantly buffed.
• Multiple NG+ Cycles: Many games allow players to continue into NG+2, NG+3, and beyond. In some cases, the difficulty continues to increase with each cycle, up to a certain cap (for instance, NG+7 in Elden Ring). After that cap is reached, the difficulty remains static.
• Enemy AI and Behavior: While less common, some games may also tweak enemy AI or behavior patterns in NG+, making them more aggressive, cunning, or using new attack combinations.

Why Increase Enemy Strength in NG+?

The primary purpose of increasing enemy strength in NG+ is to provide a renewed challenge for experienced players. Without this adjustment, NG+ would simply be a victory lap, lacking the sense of progression and accomplishment that comes from overcoming difficult encounters.

The increased difficulty also encourages players to:

• Experiment with different builds: Players might find that their favorite build from the first playthrough is no longer optimal in NG+, prompting them to try new weapons, skills, or stat allocations.
• Master the game’s mechanics: NG+ demands a deeper understanding of combat mechanics, enemy attack patterns, and effective strategies.
• Seek out new challenges: The added difficulty can motivate players to tackle optional bosses, explore hidden areas, and complete challenging side quests.
• Feel a sense of progression: Even though players are starting with a powerful character, the increased difficulty allows them to continue to feel a sense of progression and accomplishment as they overcome new challenges.

The Benefits of New Game Plus

Beyond the challenge, NG+ offers several other benefits:

• Carryover Progress: Players typically retain their character level, equipment, skills, and items, allowing them to start the new playthrough with a significant advantage.
• New Content: Some games include NG+-exclusive content, such as new items, weapons, quests, or even altered storylines.
• Achievement Hunting: NG+ can be a convenient way to complete achievements or trophies that were missed during the initial playthrough.
• Story Insights: Playing through the story again with a deeper understanding of the lore and characters can reveal new nuances and interpretations.

Is New Game Plus Worth Playing?

Whether NG+ is “worth it” depends on the player’s individual preferences. If you enjoy a challenge, want to experiment with new builds, or simply want to experience the game again with a fresh perspective, NG+ can be highly rewarding. However, if you found the initial playthrough overly difficult or simply aren’t interested in replaying the game, NG+ may not be for you.

It’s also worth considering the specific NG+ implementation in the game you’re playing. Some games offer more substantial changes and rewards than others, so it’s a good idea to research what to expect before diving in.

New Game Plus and Education

Games, especially those with replayable modes like NG+, are excellent tools for understanding learning principles. The iterative nature of NG+, where players learn from previous mistakes and apply new strategies, mirrors the learning process in real-world situations. To learn more about the intersection of games and learning, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What exactly carries over to New Game Plus?

Typically, players retain their character level, stats, equipment (weapons, armor, accessories), spells, skills, and items. However, key items related to story progression, such as those used to unlock new areas or complete specific quests, are often reset.

2. Do I lose my levels in New Game Plus?

No, you keep your levels in NG+. You will start the new game with your current stats.

3. Do weapons get stronger in New Game Plus?

No, NG+ generally doesn’t add higher-level weapons. You will keep your current weapons and armor, but their stats will remain the same. The challenge comes from using those items against significantly stronger enemies.

4. How much harder is New Game Plus in Elden Ring?

In Elden Ring, the early game is initially easier due to your endgame character, but the difficulty rapidly catches up as you progress. Enemies and bosses have increased health and damage, and the scaling is more aggressive in early areas.

5. What items do I lose in New Game Plus in Elden Ring?

In Elden Ring, you typically lose key items like the Dectus Medallion Halves, Great Runes, Mending Runes, Sorcery Scrolls, Incantation Prayerbooks, and Bell Bearings.

6. Does New Game Plus delete my original progress?

No, starting NG+ creates a new save file and doesn’t overwrite your original save. You can switch back to your normal save at any time, as long as you’ve created a manual save and aren’t solely relying on quick saves.

7. Can I respec my character in New Game Plus?

Yes, in games like Elden Ring, you can still respec your character in NG+ using items like Larval Tears. This allows you to experiment with different builds and adapt to the increased difficulty.

8. Do Stonesword Keys carry over to New Game Plus?

Yes, Stonesword Keys typically carry over to NG+, allowing you to unlock Imp Statue seals from the beginning of the new playthrough.

9. Are old games harder than new games?

Older games often feel harder due to limited save points and a lack of readily available guides. Modern games, even with NG+ modes, often have more forgiving mechanics and accessibility features. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that old games are better or worse, just different.

10. Does canceling rebirth use a Larval Tear?

No, if you change your mind, you can cancel the Rebirth process without losing a Larval Tear.

11. Can you farm unlimited Larval Tears in Elden Ring?

No, it is impossible to farm unlimited Larval Tears. Each type of enemy that drops them only does so once per playthrough.

12. Do +1 weapons add to damage in D&D?

Yes, a +1 weapon adds an extra +1 modifier to the weapons attack and damage rolls.

13. What is the max level in Elden Ring?

The maximum level achievable in Elden Ring is 713, requiring a vast amount of Rune farming.

14. What happens if I refuse Melina in Elden Ring?

You must accept Melina’s accord to level up and obtain your spectral steed, Torrent. Refusing her prevents you from progressing in the game.

15. How does New Game Plus affect the game’s story?

In most games, the story remains largely the same. However, your character’s existing knowledge and power can change the context of certain events, and some games may add new dialogue or cutscenes to reflect your character’s veteran status.