As a seasoned gamer who has traversed the digital realms for decades, I must say that New Game+ modes have always been a delightful addition to my gaming journey. They offer a unique blend of familiarity and novelty, providing an opportunity to delve deeper into the game’s lore while testing one’s skills against tougher challenges.
In many Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), the New Game+ feature can sometimes appear as an easy solution to recycle old material, making the game feel repetitive, and unnecessarily extending titles that could stand on their own merit without it.
On the other hand, certain game titles have creatively employed the concept of New Game+ to enhance the initial gaming experience significantly.
To enjoy New Game+, gamers typically need to finish the game initially. Once done, they’ll get an opportunity to play the game again, retaining certain aspects from the earlier session, like levels or gear.
Instead of merely providing pleasure through defeating familiar foes using updated equipment, a New Game+ offers various intriguing storytelling possibilities. In some games, this feature is integrated with the plot, while others restrict access to the toughest challenges for players who’ve demonstrated their abilities in the New Game+ mode.
I’m sharing some exceptional games that incorporate the New Game+ feature, but please keep in mind that the narrative details to follow may contain significant spoilers. Enjoy!
10 Final Fantasy 16
A True Challenge for Clive
As a hardcore action game enthusiast, I’ve found myself expressing some frustration with Final Fantasy 16, as its difficulty level seems tailored more towards casual gamers rather than us seasoned warriors who have battled our way through the challenging realms of FromSoftware’s games. It feels like a breeze compared to the tough tests those games present.
In simpler terms, some tools are available right away to help newcomers find success in Soulslike games, but there’s no way to increase difficulty levels for those seeking a greater challenge.
After finishing Final Fantasy 16 for the first time, you’ll gain access to the Final Fantasy Mode, which ramps up the difficulty by making the enemies significantly tougher and introducing new creatures in previously known locations. To help you cope with this challenge, Clive’s level limit has been raised.
In simpler terms, you’ll only find the “Final Fantasy Mode” when you start a new game after you’ve completed it once (New Game+). This means players who have already grasped the different mechanics of the game can enjoy Final Fantasy 16 as intended from their prior experience.
9 Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
Needing the D-Ratio
As a devoted admirer, I’d say that Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter is a game that invites you, the player, to revisit certain parts multiple times. This unorthodox narrative style might have been a stumbling block for many fans, who were accustomed to more traditional fantasy games.
Initially, when the player embarks on their journey, they begin with a D-Ratio of 1/8192, which places them in a humble or lower class, as it significantly reduces their likelihood of forging a bond with a dragon.
By repeatedly playing the game, performing tasks, and enhancing skills, players can boost their D-Ratio over time. This progress will grant access to additional game content and fortify their party for future play sessions.
Too bad Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter didn’t do well, since the concept it introduced was quite innovative for its era. With some improvements in a follow-up game, it had the potential to be truly outstanding.
Speaking as an avid fan, I must say that the strategic use of D-Ratio and the New Game Plus feature in Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter truly elevated my experience. As my character’s power grew, so did the unraveling of the story, making each level a rewarding journey to deeper understanding.
8 Bravely Default: Where The Fairy Flies
Airy Lies in Every Playthrough
In a daring twist, the video game “Bravely Default” employs the New Game+ feature to turn its narrative upside down, leaving players to ponder and reassess everything they’ve previously encountered in the game.
In the game Bravely Default, the player receives guidance from a fairy named Airy, who suggests activating crystal elements at various points.
Once the game is played through for the first time, its title gradually disappears, letter by letter, revealing the phrase “Airy Lies.
Afterward, the player experiences a repeat of the game, during which they uncover Airy’s real identity as a world-consuming beast. This revelation initiates a fresh narrative with results significantly contrasting those from the initial playthrough.
7 Chrono Cross
Time to Recruit Everyone
In Chrono Cross, there are an impressive variety of playable characters, as you can recruit up to 45 different individuals for your party!
Regrettably, not every member can be encountered during a single playthrough due to some party members being tied to specific decisions made by the player, thereby excluding others.
In the enhanced version of the game, called New Game+, players have the opportunity to obtain characters they previously recruited by utilizing the Chrono Cross artifact. This is the sole method available for players to interact with all characters in the game.
Similar to its precursor, Chrono Cross allows players to encounter and battle the final boss at various stages throughout the game, thereby unlocking different conclusions.
In addition to the standard gameplay, New Game+ offers a challenge with epic battles against iconic adversaries from Chrono Trigger: Ozzie, Slash, and Flea. These formidable foes are among the toughest bosses encountered in Chrono Cross. Players who recall triumphing over them in Chrono Trigger have an added bonus – they can unlock exclusive items associated with these characters in that game.
6 Final Fantasy X
Subtitles Needed for Enjoyment
In Final Fantasy X, there isn’t a built-in New Game Plus option as such. Yet, the game allows players to transfer one particular aspect of their advancement from one playthrough to another: Al Bhed Primer knowledge.
In Final Fantasy X, the Al Bhed are a group of people who rely on technology rather than magic for their power. They communicate using a language that appears to be an altered version of English.
In Final Fantasy X, players uncover Al Bhed Primer books, gradually deciphering one letter at a time.
In my gaming experience, if I manage to gather all the hints or clues, I can utilize that knowledge in future playthroughs. What’s handy is that during cutscenes, the Al Bhed dialogue is translated into English subtitles, making it easier for me to understand their conversations without needing to learn their language first.
In addition, Final Fantasy X-2 offers a New Game Plus option that allows players to carry over certain aspects from their previous game such as character levels, equipment, and advancements. Particularly noteworthy is that this mode also lets them keep the Al Bhed Primers they discovered during their initial playthrough.
5 NieR: Automata
2B or Not 2B
Playing “New Game +” significantly enhances the NieR: Automata adventure. Even if players are acquainted with the character 2B, they may not be aware that she’s not the sole playable figure in the game.
After finishing NieR: Automata, players will have an opportunity to experience the game from 9S’s perspective instead. Although the purchase process remains the same, the gameplay dynamics for 9S are significantly distinct compared to those of 2B. Despite this difference, both characters share a common history as they were present during many of the same events.
In the third round, the character switches to A2, whereupon players experience the game’s climax and uncover hidden truths that remain undiscovered when playing as 2B or 9S.
4 Parasite Eve
Time to Unlock the Chrysler Building
In the EX Mode, starting Parasite Eve’s New Game + provides players with additional equipment and power right from the beginning, allowing them to quickly defeat enemies from the get-go.
Delightfully, I’ve found myself exploring an extraordinary addition to Ex Mode – the towering Chrysler Building! Standing at an impressive 75 floors high, this structure doubles as a formidable dungeon teeming with the game’s mightiest adversaries.
Significantly, individuals ascending to the peak of the Chrysler Building encounter the game’s ultimate antagonist – Eve. Overcoming Eve offers a fresh conclusion and unveils previously hidden story details exclusive to EX Mode.
3 Vagrant Story
It’s Time for Ashley’s Riot
Vagrant Story, a remarkable PlayStation 1 role-playing game, is tragically overlooked and deserves a long-awaited remake. Its unique blend of real-time and turn-based combat is scarcely found in the gaming world.
For players yearning for more of Vagrant Story, delving deeper is made possible through the New Game Plus mode. In this continuation, players carry over their hard-earned key from the previous game, as well as their character’s level and equipment.
Equipped with a key, players now have the ability to explore regions previously sealed off during the initial game. This expansion opens up areas for visitation throughout the gameplay, featuring formidable bosses that can be confronted at the player’s own pace and preparedness.
2 Pokemon Black 2 & White 2
The Hard Mode Pokemon Fans Want
For quite some time now, enthusiasts of the Pokémon series have been yearning for main series games with a higher level of difficulty. The current Pokémon titles are brimming with quality-of-life (QoL) enhancements to such an extent that the only real challenge can be found in post-game content or competitive battles.
In the course of their work on the series, Game Freak has seldom dabbled with a challenging mode option; one instance being the inclusion of a New Game+ feature in Pokemon Black 2 and White 2.
Once you finish playing Pokemon Black 2, you’ll gain access to Challenge Mode, but only on a fresh gameplay session. Yet, there’s an option to share Challenge Mode with another player using the infrared (IR) sensor found on the Nintendo DS system.
In Challenge Mode, the enemy artificial intelligence becomes more skilled, causing opponents such as Gym Leaders to deploy a greater number of Pokémon during battles.
Man, I’ve got to admit it’s a bummer having to go through all these steps just to get into the Challenge Mode in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. But hey, at least they offered this feature at some point within the franchise, right?
1 Chrono Trigger
Let’s Do the Time Warp Again
Frequently recognized as the initial title to incorporate the New Game+ feature, Chrono Trigger is renowned for its exceptional execution of this mechanic.
Since our game revolves around time travel, it makes perfect sense to utilize the New Game + feature to fully explore the implications of the concept.
After finishing Chrono Trigger and starting a new game with the “New Game+” option, players can confront the final boss at will by visiting the Millennial Fair. Luckily, they keep their level progression and equipment from the earlier playthrough.
Through vanquishing the final adversary across different timelines, players get to explore the multiple conclusions of Chrono Trigger, witnessing how the narrative might have unfolded uniquely in each instance.
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2024-11-27 16:42