Code Vein is still a soulsborne masterpiece in the sense that it delivers in the way that only Bandai Namco can. In typical fashion, this game, like many others, features New Game Plus mode, which brings with it some interesting changes and challenges. Not only will players have the option to platinum the game with multiple playthroughs featuring their custom-built protag, but they also face some unsavory resets that could potentially ruin all hope of a platinum trophy.
With that being said, it's worth knowing what players are getting into when they select that 'new game' load screen option. So turn up the VAMPS soundtrack, get those Blood Codes and Veils ready, and let's navigate this New Game Plus miasma.
10 Options Open Up In Terms Of Difficulty Levels
When selecting New Game Plus, players are faced with a choice. They can continue the game as usual on Easy mode, which will help to temper some of that NG+ difficulty that comes naturally with each playthrough (more on that later) or choose the second option.
By choosing to play on Enhanced Difficulty, players are making the choice to face enemies and bosses that are harder but are also more likely to drop valuable items than they would otherwise.
9 Companions Can Be Changed At Mistle Save Points
Don't worry - every companion that's met during the story does carry over to NG+, along with companion trade points. Therefore, nothing is lost when starting a new game in terms of item trading.
Additionally, the map clearances remain the same with rotten mistles that have been purified. At the mistles, players now have the chance to swap out companions, which is an option that wasn't available without going back to home base in the first playthrough.
8 Chests And Items Do Reappear In Map Areas
The chests and items that were found in the first playthrough do reappear in the second, meaning that anything can be sold or used the second time and found in the exact same place or close to it.
This is good news for players who change their Blood Codes or weapons often and are on a mission to collect them all (which there is a trophy for); you'll have a chance to collect anything that was initially missed during the second playthrough.
7 The Vestiges Get Left Behind
The tricky thing about Code Vein happens if players are trying to complete each companion's full backstory and obtain the trophy for collecting all vestiges. Since these are not items that help the player, save for giving them background on each companion, they do not carry over to NG+.
So, if players plan to collect them all, it's best to do this during the first playthrough so that they won't need to double back to find - and watch - the same vestiges all over again in order to restore the Successors and get the 'true' ending.
6 Every NPC Quest Is Reset
This shouldn't be too much of an issue if players a) don't care much about NPCs and their backstories and b) don't care much about the rewards that come from each backstory.
However, it might be worth it to follow a guide in order to pick and choose which NPCs to help, because - no spoilers - certain maps of the underground are obtained this way.
5 Any Blood Or Chemical Markers Are No Longer Active
It's highly likely that some players probably still don't know what Blood or Chemical Markers are or how to use them. For those who are completionists and enjoy filling out maps or marking enemies and items, these markers are very useful.
However, players will notice as they start NG+ that the markers they left in certain areas and no longer there - they only last one playthrough and disappear once the game is over.
4 The Mistles Once Discovered Will Not Reappear Until Being Rediscovered
The exception to this is rotten mistle that has been purified. Therefore, mistles that serve as save and fast-travel points will not reappear on the map until they've been discovered.
For those who cursed the Cathedral and all that comes with it, this could be a frustrating journey (again). While the maps retain their clearance, all (regular) mistles must be manually rediscovered.
3 Underground Maps Are Automatically Reset And The Keys Are Lost
The Depths areas of the game are, for the most part, optional. While these areas are excellent for grinding and are home to NPCs that drop late-game maps and items, it's not entirely necessary to complete them in full. And, when playing on NG+, there's really no reason to dive back down unless a player is keen on grinding all over again.
It's worth bearing in mind that while enemies do get stronger during each playthrough, the early Depths enemies will be easy to cheese and won't give nearly enough experience to boost levels significantly.
2 Enemy Strength Increases But Enhanced Enemies Will Drop More
The catch-22 here is that playing on Easy mode won't permit enemies and bosses to drop anything worth any significant value (unless a player gets lucky); however, playing on Enhanced Mode will be a tough challenge, but does include rare item drops. The choice is ultimately up to the player.
If a player plans on going through the Trials in order to platinum the game, though, it's worth it to play the game on Enhanced mode just to stock up on items prior to taking on such a challenge.
1 Gift Experience Will Be Capped With Each Playthrough
As a player advances through the level ranks in NG+, there is a capping system in place in regard to Gift experience. This cap is per area, which is something to note if the goal is to boost experience earned when using a Gift.
Therefore, it's important to maintain a balance and keep track of player level in regard to the Gifts that are used the most.