Post-Game Content & New Game+

Congratulations, Colt! You've broken the loop (or embraced it, depending on your final choice). But the fun on Blackreef is far from over. Deathloop offers a compelling suite of post-game content, including a robust New Game+ mode, that encourages further exploration, experimentation, and mastery of its intricate systems. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to squeeze every last drop of enjoyment out of your time on the island.

New Game+ (The "Golden Loop")

Upon completing the main story and witnessing one of the endings, you'll be prompted to start a New Game+. This isn't just a simple restart; it's the "Golden Loop," a refined experience designed for players who understand Blackreef's rhythm. Here's what carries over and what to expect:

Retained Arsenal: All weapons, Trinkets (both character and weapon), and Slabs you've infused will carry over into your New Game+ playthrough. This means you start with a significant advantage, allowing you to tackle earlier areas with powerful gear.
Infused Residuum: Any Residuum you had infused at the end of your previous run will also be available from the start. This is crucial for quickly infusing new gear you discover or upgrading existing items.
Knowledge is Power: While you'll replay the story objectives, your understanding of the Visionaries' routines, secret passages, and optimal kill orders remains. This allows for much faster and more efficient runs.
Increased Difficulty (Subtle): While not explicitly stated as a "hard mode," New Game+ often feels slightly more challenging due to the game's dynamic difficulty adjustments. Enemies may be more alert, and Visionaries might employ slightly different tactics.
Unlocking Remaining Trophies/Achievements: Many players use New Game+ to mop up any remaining trophies or achievements, such as completing the game without dying, killing all Visionaries in a single day, or finding all hidden secrets.

New Game+ Walkthrough Steps:

Prioritize Slab Upgrades: With your infused Slabs carrying over, your first priority in New Game+ should be to acquire and infuse all Slab upgrades. Each Visionary drops a specific upgrade for their Slab upon defeat. For example, defeating Charlie Montague will grant you an upgrade for the Shift Slab, often adding a new utility like extended range or a second charge. Focus on eliminating Visionaries quickly to get these upgrades infused.
Experiment with Loadouts: Since you have a full arsenal, New Game+ is the perfect time to experiment with weapon combinations and Trinket synergies you might have overlooked. Try a stealth-focused build with the Sepulchra Breaker and Ghostly Trinket, or go all-out aggressive with dual Strelak 50-50s and the Sprinter Trinket.
Seek Out Unique Weapons: While your infused weapons carry over, there are still unique, named weapons with special properties to discover. For instance, the Heritage Gun (found in Karl's Bay during the "Chaos Theory" mission) offers multiple firing modes and is a blast to use. The Fourpounder "Constancy" (dropped by Fia Zborowska) provides increased damage and reload speed.
Complete Remaining Side Missions & Discoveries: Many optional objectives and hidden lore bits are easily missed on a first playthrough. Use your New Game+ run to delve deeper. For example, track down all of Julianna's messages scattered across Blackreef, or uncover the full story behind the AEON Program.
Master the "Perfect Loop": The ultimate goal for many in New Game+ is to achieve the "perfect loop" – eliminating all eight Visionaries in a single day, often with specific challenges in mind (e.g., no alerts, using only specific weapons). This requires intimate knowledge of the map layouts and Visionary schedules.

Post-Game Exploration & Secrets

Even if you choose not to immediately jump into New Game+, there's still plenty to do on Blackreef. The game world remains open, allowing you to revisit any district at any time of day to uncover hidden secrets and complete unfinished business.

Key Areas for Post-Game Exploration:

Updaam - The Archives: If you haven't fully explored the Archives beneath Updaam, now's the time. This area holds significant lore about the AEON Program and the true nature of the loop. Look for hidden terminals and documents.
Karl's Bay - Fia's Bunker: Fia's bunker is a treasure trove of environmental storytelling. Even after defeating her, you can revisit to piece together more of her tragic backstory. Pay attention to the art installations and hidden messages.
Frisad - The Power Station: The power station offers several puzzles and challenges, including the elusive "The Moxie" weapon. If you missed it during the main story, head back to Frisad in the afternoon to attempt the laser grid challenge.
The Complex - Wenjie's Labs: Wenjie's various labs are full of experimental weapons and Trinkets. Revisit them to find any you might have overlooked, or to simply enjoy the chaotic scientific atmosphere.

Finding Collectibles & Lore:

Deathloop is rich with environmental storytelling and hidden lore. Post-game is the ideal time to systematically hunt down these elements:

Julianna's Messages: These audio logs provide crucial insights into Julianna's perspective and the history of the loop. They are often found in secluded areas or near Visionary hideouts.
AEON Documents: Scattered throughout the districts are documents detailing the AEON Program's origins, experiments, and the personal stories of its members. These add significant depth to the narrative.
Unique Weapon Blueprints: While most weapons are found, some unique variants or upgrades are tied to specific challenges or hidden locations. For example, the "Strelak Verso", a powerful submachine gun/shotgun hybrid, requires solving a puzzle in Updaam.

By leveraging your New Game+ progress and dedicating time to post-game exploration, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for Deathloop's intricate design and uncover every secret Blackreef has to offer.