Let's Talk: New Game Plus

[pg1314]

Why hello there, how are you? I'm doing fine, thanks for asking. (That is if you did ask) It has been quite some time since I did one of these, which is a shame since I feel that these allow us to get to know each other.

Anyway, today's topic: New Game Plus

It's been around for awhile now, though I'm not sure what brought it into the mainstream. (I'd like to say Dark Souls, but I know for a fact I'm wrong) Anyway, if you don't know what "New Game Plus" is, it's basically a second play through of a game with but not limited to; harder enemies, changed world, new items & weapons & gear, new enemies/bosses, higher level cap, new game modes (online or offline), and (rarely) a new or changed story.

New Game Plus, in my opinion, makes a game twice as long if done right. By right, I mean that it adds just enough new content to keep it interesting, but not enough to where you're overwhelmed. A good example is Borderlands 2 and it's Seraph Guardians. Generally, the quests involved with the Guardians are associated with NG+. The bosses are unique and mysterious and act as a driving force to beat the normal game and NG+ just so you can have a go with them.

Now, in my opinion, a bad example of NG+ is Shovel Knight. Don't get me wrong, I adore Shovel Knight. It's a perfect game, but the NG+ is a let down. You fight and battle through 8+ stages to beat the game. Your reward? The exact same thing with two changes. A: Harder Enemies. B: You keep your gear, but that's it. No new gear, no new bosses or hidden levels. It basically playing the game again with hard mode turned on.

Now, if I read correctly, HFA is to have a NG+ where you keep your money and current level, but your gear doesn't carry over. One can only guess that better equipment will be obtained on the second run, which is cool, but concerns me. Is harder enemies and new gear all that will be added, or will something there be another, bigger, reason to play again?

I dunno, just some thoughts I had.

What game has your favorite New Game Plus? What new elements do you like to see in second play throughs of games? Do you think HFA will have something unique enough to play a second time?

[Majk]

Interesting read, I've not yet completed shovelknight but looking forward to the endgame, not so much for the second playthrough after this though.

I want new content. Like atleast new graphics for stages and bosses. Maybe that certain castle burned down and it's an entirely different stage? Maybe some dude died for real and was replaced?

That's what I would like to see atleast.

[James Closs]

Diablo 2 is a good game to point to for New Game+ in terms of carrying through your character and getting better loot.

Obviously the best example is the original:  Chrono Trigger.  New Game+ unlocked all manner of things in that game:  Secret endings, new items, etc. etc.  Chrono Cross followed closely in its footsteps when it came out on PSX.  HFA doesn't strike me as the kind of game that has a lot of time/space travel, which was one of the main justifications for the multiple endings in the Chrono games.

I know Alonso is planning on fun challenge mode stages.  What I would think would be cool in a NG+ in HFA is like....  A hidden "Perfect" ending?  Like, if you get 100% completion and beat a harder form of the final boss that unlocks when you hit 100% (Those fights are always pretty satisfying)  and then that's followed by something that sets up for a sequel or reveals some secret about the world, or resolves a subplot from the storyline that had been left vague before.  I always find those really satisfying and worthwhile.

If anyone's interested, this is a pretty solid top 10 list of NG+ games:  http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/top10/1429.html  I personally don't think Mass effects NG+ is anything to write home about.  Their cool thing was importing the character across different titles.