New Game+ in Final Fantasy XIV
The Unending Journey in Final Fantasy XIV doesn't necessarily end with the credits. For those who wish to relive the epic narrative or experience it with a different job, New Game+ offers a unique way to replay the game's main story quests and expansions. This feature allows you to retain your character's level, gear, and progress, making subsequent playthroughs a breeze while focusing on the story and optional content.
New Game+ (NG+) is an optional mode that allows players to restart the Main Scenario Quest (MSQ) from the beginning, or from the start of any unlocked expansion, while keeping their current character's level, gear, and inventory. This is ideal for players who want to:
- Re-experience the Story: If you missed dialogue or want to appreciate the narrative again, NG+ is perfect.
- Play with a Different Job: Try out a new job or role without having to level a new character from scratch.
- Complete Missed Content: Catch up on side quests, FATEs, or other activities you might have skipped on your first playthrough.
- Earn Achievements: Certain NG+ playthroughs offer unique achievements.
Accessing New Game+
To access New Game+, you must have completed the Main Scenario Quest up to the end of the current expansion (currently Endwalker). Once unlocked, you can find the New Game+ option in the main menu under 'Game Settings' -> 'New Game+'.
When you start a New Game+ playthrough, you'll be presented with a list of available story arcs. You can choose to:
- Start from the Beginning: Replay the entire A Realm Reborn story.
- Start from an Expansion: Begin with Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, or Endwalker.
- Start from Specific Arcs: Within each expansion, you can often choose to replay specific questlines or chapters.
How New Game+ Works
During a New Game+ playthrough:
- Your Level and Gear are Retained: You will be sificantly over-leveled for most content, making combat much faster.
- MSQ Progress is Reset: You will follow the MSQ as if you were playing it for the first time, with all cutscenes and dialogue available.
- Side Quests are Not Available: You cannot undertake side quests or other non-MSQ content during an NG+ run.
- Dungeons and Trials: You will be able to queue for dungeons and trials associated with the MSQ you are replaying.
- Unsynced Content: Dungeons and trials will be played unsynced, meaning you will not be level-synced down to the content's level.
New Game+ Options and Modifiers
When starting a New Game+ journey, you can also select specific modifiers:
- Show Cutscenes: Choose whether to display all cutscenes or skip those you've seen.
- Show Dialogue: Similar to cutscenes, you can choose to see all dialogue or skip it.
- Show Quests: Control whether quest markers and objectives are displayed.
New Game+ is a fantastic feature for players who want to deepen their appreciation for Final Fantasy XIV's rich narrative or simply enjoy the game at their own pace with their established character. It offers a flexible way to revisit beloved stories and characters without the grind of starting anew.