New Game Plus (NG+) in Crimson Desert is a mode that becomes available after you complete the main story campaign. It allows you to start a new playthrough while retaining many of your progressions from your first run, including your level, gear, skills, and certain collectibles. NG+ is designed for players who want to experience the story again with the power of a fully built character, or for those seeking additional challenges and exclusive rewards.
To access New Game Plus, simply complete the main story. After the credits roll, you will be given the option to start NG+ from the main menu. Your original save file is preserved, so you can continue exploring the post-game world or start NG+ at your leisure. NG+ creates a separate save, meaning your original playthrough remains intact.
New Game Plus is not just a replay with overpowered gear. Pearl Abyss has implemented meaningful changes that make NG+ a distinct experience, including scaled enemy difficulty, new enemy placements, exclusive items, and additional story content that was not available in the first playthrough.
What is New Game Plus in Crimson Desert?
New Game Plus (NG+) in Crimson Desert is a mode that becomes available after you complete the main story campaign. It allows you to start a new playthrough while retaining many of your progressions from your first run, including your level, gear, skills, and certain collectibles. NG+ is designed for players who want to experience the story again with the power of a fully built character, or for those seeking additional challenges and exclusive rewards.
To access New Game Plus, simply complete the main story. After the credits roll, you will be given the option to start NG+ from the main menu. Your original save file is preserved, so you can continue exploring the post-game world or start NG+ at your leisure. NG+ creates a separate save, meaning your original playthrough remains intact.
New Game Plus is not just a replay with overpowered gear. Pearl Abyss has implemented meaningful changes that make NG+ a distinct experience, including scaled enemy difficulty, new enemy placements, exclusive items, and additional story content that was not available in the first playthrough.
What Carries Over and What Does Not
Understanding what transfers to New Game Plus and what resets is important for planning your second playthrough. Here is a complete breakdown:
| Element | Carries Over? |
|---|---|
| Character level | Yes |
| Skill points and build | Yes |
| Weapons and armor | Yes |
| Consumable items | Yes |
| In-game currency | Yes |
| Unlocked fast travel points | No |
| Quest progress | No (reset) |
| Map exploration | Partially (fog returns) |
| Companion affinity | No (reset) |
| Collectibles | Varies by type |
As you can see, your character's power carries over completely, but world progression resets. This means you will need to re-clear camps, re-unlock fast travel points, and rebuild companion affinity. However, because you retain your level and gear, these tasks are significantly faster and more enjoyable -- you can tear through early game content that was challenging the first time.
The reset of companion affinity is worth noting. If you want to experience different companion dialogue paths or make different story choices, NG+ gives you a fresh start with these systems while keeping your character powerful.
New Game Plus Exclusive Rewards and Changes
New Game Plus introduces several exclusive rewards and gameplay changes that are not available in the first playthrough. These incentives make NG+ worth playing for completionists and challenge seekers alike.
1. Scaled enemy difficulty. All enemies in NG+ are scaled to higher levels, with increased damage, health, and aggression. This ensures the game remains challenging even though you start with an overpowered character. The scaling is designed to keep encounters engaging without becoming frustratingly difficult.
2. New enemy placements. Some enemy encounters in NG+ feature different placements, new enemy types, or altered attack patterns. This keeps exploration fresh and prevents NG+ from feeling like a simple replay. You will encounter surprises even in areas you thought you knew well.
3. Exclusive gear and weapons. NG+ introduces unique weapons, armor sets, and accessories that cannot be obtained in the first playthrough. These items often have distinctive appearances and powerful stats, making them desirable for both collectors and min-maxers.
4. Additional story content. NG+ may include additional dialogue, cutscenes, or story beats that were not present in the first playthrough. These additions provide new context and depth to the narrative, rewarding players who choose to experience the story again.
5. New achievements. Several achievements are exclusive to NG+, including completing the game on NG+ difficulty and collecting all NG+ exclusive items. These provide additional goals for achievement hunters.
6. Higher-tier crafting materials. NG+ enemies drop improved crafting materials, allowing you to upgrade your gear beyond what was possible in the first playthrough. This opens up new build possibilities and lets you push your character's power even further.