How To Start New Game Plus (NG+) In Lies of P
So, you've finally conquered Krat, defeated the Nameless Puppet, and witnessed one of the multiple endings of Lies of P. Congratulations! You've proven yourself a worthy puppet, capable of navigating the twisted streets and battling the terrifying automatons that plague the city. But what now? The adventure doesn't have to end there. Lies of P offers a robust New Game Plus (NG+) mode, allowing you to experience the story again with enhanced difficulty and the opportunity to unlock even more secrets.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about starting New Game Plus in Lies of P, including what carries over, what changes, and why you should consider diving back into the puppet-filled world. Get ready to face even greater challenges and uncover more of Krat's dark history!
What is New Game Plus (NG+) in Lies of P?
New Game Plus, often abbreviated as NG+, is a feature in many games that allows you to replay the game from the beginning with certain advantages and increased difficulty after completing the main story. In Lies of P, NG+ provides a fresh experience while retaining much of your progress from your initial playthrough. It's a chance to refine your build, explore different choices, and tackle tougher enemies. Think of it as a victory lap, but one where the track is covered in oil and broken glass.
How to Initiate New Game Plus
Starting New Game Plus in Lies of P is a straightforward process:
Complete the Game: Obviously, you need to finish the main story first. This means defeating the final boss and watching the ending cutscene. Make sure you're satisfied with your initial ending, as it will influence your future playthroughs.
Load Your Completed Save: Once the credits roll, you'll be returned to the main menu. Select "Load Game" and choose the save file you used to beat the game. This save file will now be marked as "Completed."
The Choice is Yours: After loading your completed save, you'll be back at the Hotel Krat. There's no immediate prompt to start NG+. This allows you to explore the Hotel, talk to NPCs, and generally prepare for the next journey. You can even use the Saintess of Mercy Statue to respec your character if you want to try a different build for NG+.
Speak to Geppetto: When you're ready to begin NG+, talk to Geppetto in his usual spot. He will offer you the option to start a new journey. Accept his offer, and you'll be transported back to the beginning of the game, ready to relive the adventure with your accumulated power.
What Carries Over to New Game Plus?
One of the biggest draws of NG+ is the ability to retain much of your progress. Here's a breakdown of what carries over from your first playthrough:
Character Level and Stats: All your hard-earned levels and attribute points remain intact. This gives you a significant advantage in the early stages of the game.
Weapons and Amulets: You keep all your weapons, weapon upgrades, amulets, and Legion Arms. This allows you to experiment with different weapon combinations and strategies from the start.
Quartz: All the Quartz you've collected, and the upgrades you've unlocked through the P-Organ system, carry over. This is a huge benefit, as you can continue to enhance your abilities and unlock new perks.
Consumables and Items: You retain most of your consumables, including healing items, throwables, and special items.
Costumes and Accessories: Your fashion sense doesn't disappear! All costumes and accessories you've unlocked will be available from the beginning.
Records: All records collected in your previous playthrough will carry over.
What Doesn't Carry Over?
While you retain a significant amount of progress, some things are reset in New Game Plus:
Story Progression: You start the game from the beginning, revisiting all the areas and re-experiencing the story.
Key Items: Key items required for story progression, such as the Trinity Keys, are reset. You'll need to find them again to unlock new areas and secrets.
Stargazer Fast Travel Points: You'll need to reactivate all the Stargazers to unlock fast travel in each area.
NPC Interactions: While your overall knowledge of the story remains, you'll need to re-establish relationships with NPCs and make choices that impact the narrative.
What Changes in New Game Plus?
Beyond retaining your progress, NG+ introduces several changes that make the experience more challenging and rewarding:
Increased Enemy Difficulty: Enemies are significantly tougher in NG+, with higher health, damage output, and more aggressive AI. Be prepared for a real challenge, even with your upgraded character.
New Items and Secrets: NG+ introduces new items, weapons, and secrets that weren't available in your initial playthrough. This includes new Quartz to further enhance your P-Organ and new boss weapons to acquire.
New Game Plus Exclusive Content: Some content is locked behind NG+ playthroughs. This can include new dialogue, story elements, and even entirely new areas to explore.
Higher Ergo Rewards: To compensate for the increased difficulty, you'll earn more Ergo from defeating enemies in NG+. This allows you to level up faster and further enhance your character.
Tips for Surviving New Game Plus
Here are a few tips to help you thrive in Lies of P's New Game Plus:
Optimize Your Build: Take advantage of the Saintess of Mercy Statue to respec your character and experiment with different builds. Consider focusing on a specific damage type or playstyle to maximize your effectiveness.
Upgrade Your Weapons: Continue to upgrade your favorite weapons to their maximum potential. The increased enemy health in NG+ makes weapon upgrades even more crucial.
Master Perfect Guard: Perfect Guarding is essential for survival in Lies of P, and it becomes even more important in NG+. Practice your timing and learn the attack patterns of your enemies.
Explore Every Nook and Cranny: Don't rush through the game. Take your time to explore every area thoroughly, as you might discover new items, secrets, and side quests.
Experiment with Legion Arms: Your Legion Arm can be a powerful tool in combat. Experiment with different Legion Arms and find the ones that best suit your playstyle.
Don't Be Afraid to Use Specters: If you're struggling with a particular boss, don't hesitate to summon a Specter for assistance. They can provide valuable support and help you overcome challenging encounters.
Why Play New Game Plus?
Lies of P's New Game Plus offers several compelling reasons to jump back into the game:
Increased Challenge: If you found the initial playthrough too easy, NG+ provides a significant difficulty spike that will test your skills and strategies.
New Content and Secrets: Discover new items, weapons, and story elements that weren't available in your first playthrough.
Build Optimization: Experiment with different builds and optimize your character for maximum effectiveness.
Achievement Hunting: NG+ is often required to unlock certain achievements or trophies.
Story Completion: Experience different endings and uncover more of the game's lore.
Ultimately, New Game Plus in Lies of P is a fantastic way to extend your enjoyment of the game and delve deeper into its rich world. So, grab your weapon, sharpen your skills, and prepare to face the challenges that await you in Krat! Good luck, and may your lies lead you to victory!