Diving Deep: What Carries Over to New Game Plus in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
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So, you’ve conquered Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, deflecting, mikiri countering, and grappling your way to one of the game’s challenging endings. Congratulations, Wolf! Now, the question arises: Should you embark on another journey through Ashina? And, more importantly, what exactly will you bring with you? Let’s delve into the specifics of what transfers over to New Game Plus (NG+) in Sekiro, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the challenges that await.
In essence, quite a bit carries over, making your second (and subsequent) playthroughs a vastly different experience. You retain most of your hard-earned character progression and resources. Specifically, the following items and attributes transfer:
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Consumables: All your healing gourds, pellets, divine grass, and other consumables will be available from the start. Stock up before finishing your playthrough!
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Skills: All unlocked combat arts, shinobi arts, prosthetic arts, and latent skills are yours to keep.
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Experience Points (XP): While you won’t retain your current XP level, you’ll keep all skills purchased.
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Money (Sen): Your accumulated sen carries over. Spend wisely!
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Prosthetic Tools & Upgrades: All your Shinobi Prosthetics and their associated upgrades will be available from the start.
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Special Items (Mostly): Most special items that aren’t directly tied to specific endings or story progression carry over. This includes items like the shop expansion key and shop discount items.
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Prayer Beads & Vitality: All the Prayer Beads you’ve collected to increase your vitality and posture carry over.
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Spent Memories & Attack Power (AP): Your increased Attack Power from using Memories at Sculptor’s Idols is retained.
Essentially, you’re starting a new game with a vastly more powerful Wolf than you did the first time around. This allows for new strategies, faster progression through familiar areas, and a deeper understanding of the combat system. It also prepares you for the increased difficulty! However, some things, like key items crucial to story progression, won’t carry over, so be prepared to collect them again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about New Game Plus in Sekiro
Here are some frequently asked questions about NG+ in Sekiro, addressing the nuances and intricacies of what to expect when you begin a new playthrough.
Increased Difficulty and Rewards
Will enemies be tougher in NG+?
Yes, enemies in NG+ have increased Vitality and Posture, and they deal more Vitality and Posture damage. The difficulty scales with each subsequent NG+ cycle, up to NG+7, after which it plateaus.
Do I get more XP in New Game Plus?
Absolutely! It’s much faster to gain XP in NG+. Endgame enemies will drop significantly more XP, often around twice as much as in your initial playthrough. Early-game enemies might not drop as much initially, but the overall XP gain is substantially improved.
How much harder does Sekiro get with each playthrough?
The difficulty increase is noticeable and makes each subsequent playthrough a different experience. Enemies deal more damage, and it is easier for them to break your posture. However, your experience and accumulated power make you better equipped to handle the challenges. Difficulty stops increasing after NG+7.
Endings and Completion
Can I get all endings in one playthrough of NG+?
No. To earn 100% of the Achievements in Sekiro, you’ll need to complete a minimum of 2.5 playthroughs, or rather, start a third playthrough. There are four separate Endings that need to be acquired to 100% Sekiro. Each ending requires specific actions and decisions throughout the game.
What is the best ending to aim for in NG+?
This is subjective, but many players consider the “Return” ending to be the most narratively satisfying and often refer to it as the “true” ending. However, all endings offer unique insights into the story and characters.
Preparation and Optimization
What should I do before starting New Game Plus?
Before starting NG+, ensure you:
- Stock up on Quick Items from merchants.
- Obtain all 6 Lapis Lazuli from the first playthrough for Prosthetic Upgrades.
- Find previously missed Prayer Beads and Gourd Seeds to maximize your Vitality and Healing.
- Finish any quests left and retrieve its reward.
- Repair the Dancing Dragon Mask by obtaining all three of its pieces. This allows you to exchange skill points for attack power.
What are the best early game strategies for NG+?
Leverage your existing skills and prosthetic tools to quickly dispatch early enemies. Focus on areas where you can efficiently farm XP and Sen. Also, consider exploring areas you might have missed in your first playthrough.
Enemy and Combat Dynamics
What enemy gives the most XP in Sekiro?
The assassins and samurai in Ashina Castle are excellent sources of XP, especially in later NG+ cycles. Look for opportunities to stealth-kill enemies to maximize your gains.
Does the combat change in NG+?
The core combat mechanics remain the same, but your improved skills and increased enemy difficulty will force you to refine your techniques. Expect to rely more on precise parrying, Mikiri Counters, and skillful use of your prosthetic tools.
Choices and Consequences
Do my choices matter in NG+?
Yes, your choices still matter, especially those that determine which ending you receive. Be mindful of your dialogue options with key characters like Kuro and Emma, as they can influence the story’s outcome.
What happens if I beat Sekiro without dying?
While a fun challenge, beating Sekiro without dying doesn’t unlock any special ending or reward beyond the personal satisfaction of such a feat. The game doesn’t track deaths in that specific way to award anything special.
General Gameplay and Lore
How many times can you do New Game Plus in Sekiro?
You can start as many playthroughs with the same character as you want, but the enemies won’t become more difficult from NG+7 onwards.
Is Sekiro one of the hardest games ever?
Many players consider Sekiro to be one of the most challenging action games ever made, due to its demanding combat system that rewards precision and timing. Its high difficulty has contributed to its appeal and critical acclaim.
Are there any DLCs for Sekiro?
While there haven’t been any paid DLC expansions for Sekiro, a significant free update added features like a boss rush mode, new skins, and the ability for players to leave messages around the map.
What is the max vitality in Sekiro?
The maximum Vitality you can achieve in Sekiro is 20, obtained by collecting Prayer Beads.
Embarking on a New Game Plus run in Sekiro offers a fresh and exciting experience. With your skills, prosthetics, and memories intact, you’re better equipped to tackle the increased difficulty and uncover the secrets of Ashina. Understanding what transfers over empowers you to optimize your strategy and fully immerse yourself in this challenging and rewarding game. Good luck, Wolf, and may your deflections be ever precise! Remember to engage with the community, share your experiences, and explore the deeper meanings of gaming at places like the Games Learning Society and their website GamesLearningSociety.org.