Does Progress Carry Over in Gotham Knights? A Deep Dive
Yes, the preservation of progress in Gotham Knights is nuanced. While certain elements like character progression, gear, and collectibles seamlessly transfer over in modes like New Game Plus, others, such as Fast Travel, Main Case, and Side Case progress, get reset. Let’s dissect the intricacies of what carries over and what doesn’t in this action-packed open-world RPG.
Understanding Progress Persistence in Gotham Knights
The essence of any worthwhile action RPG lies in the sense of progression. Hours are invested in leveling up, acquiring rare gear, and uncovering hidden secrets. The thought of losing all that hard work is a gamer’s worst nightmare. Thankfully, Gotham Knights handles progress in a way that rewards dedicated players, especially when embarking on a New Game Plus adventure.
Character Progression: A Solid Foundation
One of the most significant aspects that carries over is character progression. All the experience points earned, the levels gained, and the skills unlocked remain intact. This means you won’t have to grind for skill points to regain abilities like Knighthood or any other move sets. Your chosen Knight starts the new playthrough as the seasoned crime fighter you molded them to be.
Gear and Customization: Retaining Your Arsenal
Say goodbye to the early game grind for basic equipment. Your hard-earned gear, including suits, weapons, crafting blueprints, and crafted items, will all accompany you into New Game Plus. This allows you to immediately dive into the action with your preferred combat style and optimized build. It’s a massive time-saver and lets you focus on experiencing the story from a fresh perspective.
Collectibles: The Spoils of Your Exploration
All those hidden Batarangs, historical artifacts, and other collectibles you diligently sought out during your first playthrough remain unlocked in New Game Plus. This ensures that the hours spent scouring Gotham City are not in vain. Completing the collection challenges will remain completed.
What Gets Reset? Story Progress and Fast Travel
Here’s where things get interesting. While your character is essentially a leveled-up superhero from the get-go, the storyline doesn’t follow suit. Main Case and Side Case progress are entirely reset. This means you’ll have to retrace your steps through the story and re-investigate every crime to reach the end. The Fast Travel points you unlocked will also be inaccessible, which can be seen as both a positive and a negative, as you’ll be encouraged to engage with the open-world setting on your way through the cases.
The New Game Plus Experience
New Game Plus in Gotham Knights essentially allows you to experience the game again with all your character’s advancements. The narrative begins anew, but with a powerful advantage. This mode also introduces fresh challenges and enemies, scaling the difficulty to match your enhanced abilities. It’s designed to keep you engaged and provide a reason to explore the story with a different character, discover new dialogue, and encounter unique scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to address any lingering questions about progress in Gotham Knights:
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What exactly carries over to New Game Plus in Gotham Knights? Character progression (level, skills, Knighthood), gear (suits, weapons, blueprints, crafted items), and collectibles carry over.
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What does not carry over to New Game Plus? Main Case, Side Case, and Fast Travel progress are reset in New Game Plus.
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Will I have to unlock Knighthood again in New Game Plus? No, Knighthood skills remain unlocked, meaning you won’t have to complete those specific challenges again.
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Does the game get harder in New Game Plus? Yes, the enemies are scaled to your level, providing a tougher challenge that complements your upgraded abilities.
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Can I switch characters freely in New Game Plus? Yes, just like your initial playthrough, you can switch between Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood at any time after the initial tutorial night.
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What happens to challenges in New Game Plus? Many challenges are tied to story progression, so you’ll need to advance through the story to unlock them again.
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Is there a level cap in Gotham Knights, and does it change in New Game Plus? The initial level cap is 30, but it increases to 40 in New Game Plus.
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Do I keep my momentum abilities in New Game Plus? Yes, all momentum abilities that you unlocked in the first playthrough will be available from the beginning.
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Are there new collectibles in New Game Plus? No new collectibles are added in New Game Plus, but it gives you another chance to find the ones you missed.
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If I join a friend’s game, does their progress affect my game? Yes, if you join a friend’s game, you will begin the story at whatever point they are in their progression. However, this doesn’t overwrite your personal story progression.
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Can I still play after beating the game without starting New Game Plus? Absolutely! You can continue to patrol Gotham City, complete any remaining side quests, and hunt down collectibles.
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Are there different endings for each character? Yes, each of the four Knights has their own individual ending cutscene that features them.
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How often should I switch between characters? You can switch at any time. Experiment to find out which play style fits you best.
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Is Gotham Knights worth replaying? The main draw of New Game+ is to replay the story using different Knights than the previous run. The choice is yours!
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Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of video games?
The Games Learning Society provides a wealth of research and resources on the educational potential of gaming. You can explore their website at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Cycle of Justice
Gotham Knights presents a balanced approach to progress, rewarding players for their dedication while also encouraging them to re-experience the narrative with a fresh perspective. The decision to reset story progress ensures that each playthrough offers a unique journey through Gotham’s crime-ridden streets.