Cyberpunk 2077: New Game Plus Explained

Nov 3, 2025 by Admin 40 views

Hey there, gamers! Ready to dive back into the neon-drenched streets of Night City? Well, if you're anything like me, you've probably sunk a ton of hours into Cyberpunk 2077, experiencing the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Maybe you've finished the main story, explored every nook and cranny, and are now wondering, "What's next?" Well, New Game Plus (NG+) is the answer, and in this article, we're going to break down everything you need to know about it in Cyberpunk 2077. We'll cover what it is, what you keep, what you lose, and whether it's worth your time. So, buckle up, choombas, because we're about to jack into the world of NG+ and see if it's the right choice for you.

What is New Game Plus in Cyberpunk 2077?

Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. New Game Plus (NG+) is a game mode that lets you replay the main story of Cyberpunk 2077 with some of your progress carried over from your previous playthrough. Think of it as a fresh start with a little extra oomph. Instead of starting from scratch and grinding to get back to where you were, NG+ allows you to keep some of the stuff you've earned, making your second (or third, or fourth...) journey through Night City a bit easier, and way more fun. This mode is designed to give you a fresh experience while letting you enjoy the fruits of your labor from your previous time in Night City, allowing you to try out different builds, make different choices, and maybe even discover things you missed the first time around. In essence, it's a way to keep the experience fresh, which is crucial for a game as massive as Cyberpunk 2077. NG+ provides an opportunity to test out different character builds, try out divergent decision paths that affect the narrative, or search for missed content, which makes for a compelling way to revisit the game's immersive world. The key aspect of NG+ is to allow players to revisit the game with a sense of retained progression, which enhances the overall longevity and replayability of the game.

But wait, there's more! The beauty of NG+ lies in its ability to cater to different types of players. For those who love the story and characters, it's a chance to experience the narrative with new perspectives. Maybe you want to romance a different character, or see how your choices affect different outcomes. For the completionists, it's an opportunity to find those collectibles you missed, finish side quests, or achieve every achievement/trophy. And for the min-maxers, it's a chance to refine your character build, experiment with different weapons and cyberware, and become the ultimate legend of Night City. The versatility of NG+ is one of its biggest strengths, and it's a feature that makes Cyberpunk 2077 even more compelling and enjoyable. By letting players carry over progress, NG+ encourages them to engage with the game at their own pace and in a way that feels rewarding. This adaptability is what turns a game into a lasting experience, and NG+ offers this possibility to a significant extent.

Now, let's talk about what's involved. When you start a New Game Plus, you'll generally find that the game resets your progress to the beginning of the story. However, instead of being completely fresh, you'll begin with some of your precious belongings and progression intact. The specifics of what carries over can differ from game to game, but it's typically things that enhance your gameplay, like your character's level, skills, and sometimes even your inventory. This means you can get a head start on your next journey. This makes it easier to experience the full breadth of the game. Now, you can take a different path and make choices that may have been difficult to make during your first playthrough. Having a stronger character from the start offers a level of freedom to the player. The core of NG+ is about improving the replayability of the game by allowing players to continue playing their favorite character or trying different strategies without the grind of starting from zero.

What Carries Over in Cyberpunk 2077's New Game Plus?

So, what juicy stuff do you actually get to keep in Cyberpunk 2077 when you dive into NG+? This is the million-eddies question, right? Well, let's break it down, choom.

Character Level and XP: This is a big one. Your character's level and experience points carry over, meaning you can jump right back into the action with all the skills and perks you've unlocked. This makes the early game significantly less grindy and allows you to experiment with different builds from the get-go. Imagine starting your new game with access to high-level abilities and powerful weapons early in the game; this is one of the main appeals of NG+. This ensures that you can take the character you put so much work into and use them to shape a whole new story for yourself. This is a crucial element for anyone who wants to revisit the game, as it significantly reduces the need to re-level. It offers players a chance to enjoy the game's content using their already-established character, saving them time and effort.
Skills and Perks: Along with your level, all the skills and perks you've earned are retained. This means you can keep your character's specialized abilities, like hacking prowess, combat skills, or crafting expertise. This allows you to explore different build combinations and playstyles from the start. This allows players to immediately take advantage of the build they are most interested in pursuing, rather than having to spend hours reacquiring their core abilities. This also allows the player to quickly try out different strategies in combat and other situations that require unique skill sets.
Inventory (Mostly): Your inventory is where things get a bit nuanced. Most of your weapons, clothing, and consumables will carry over. However, quest-specific items or items tied to the main story might be reset. This means you'll have access to your favorite gear from the start, letting you customize your playstyle and dominate the streets of Night City. It saves you from having to grind to find your favorite gear again. It also saves you from the tedium of having to reacquire weapons and armor. This allows players to more quickly settle into their preferred play style and spend more time focusing on the core experience of the game. For players looking to take a more specialized approach, NG+ enables them to start with the specific items and gear that suit their play style best, rather than having to spend hours searching and finding them again.
Crafting Components and Resources: All of your crafting components and resources are retained, so you can continue to build and upgrade your equipment from the start. This includes crafting materials, components, and money. This helps to accelerate the gameplay, making it easier to acquire and upgrade weapons and equipment to enhance your gaming experience. These resources are incredibly useful for players who enjoy crafting their own gear or upgrading their favorite weapons. Having these resources ready from the start of your NG+ playthrough lets you get straight into the action of crafting and upgrading your gear.
Vehicles and Apartments: If you've spent your hard-earned eddies on cool vehicles and swanky apartments, you'll be happy to know that they'll stick around. This is a great perk, as it enhances the gameplay experience, giving you access to useful resources right from the start. Imagine starting with a cool ride and a safe place to relax after a long day of missions; this really adds to the game's overall experience. It's a convenient feature that keeps your progress and provides a sense of continuity from your previous game.

What Doesn't Carry Over in Cyberpunk 2077's New Game Plus?

Alright, it's not all sunshine and cyberware enhancements, though. Some things in Cyberpunk 2077 don't make the jump to NG+. Knowing what you'll lose can help you prepare and make the most of your first playthrough.

Story-Related Items: Certain items directly tied to the main story or specific quests will be reset. This makes sense since the game needs to re-trigger these events in your new playthrough. These items typically include unique quest rewards and key items needed to advance the story. Keep in mind that some items obtained through side quests might not carry over. So, before you start NG+, make sure you've enjoyed your journey and have acquired all the items you want.
Quest Progress: All your quest progress is reset. This is the whole point of NG+ – to replay the story. This resets your choices and allows you to make new ones. This means you get to experience the story from a new perspective, making different choices and exploring different outcomes. You'll get the chance to replay any missions you enjoyed, explore different storylines, and create a whole new experience. So, while you get to keep your skills and gear, your story progress returns to zero. This allows players to replay the game with fresh eyes and discover new facets of the game's storyline. This encourages players to revisit and fully immerse themselves in the world of Cyberpunk 2077.
Certain Relationships: Some relationships with characters may be reset, especially those that are directly tied to the main story or specific questlines. This might mean starting from scratch with some of your favorite characters. Relationships and bonds are important in the story, but the option to create a whole new path is important as well. Starting over allows you to revisit the game's plot, make new friends, and explore new narrative directions. This also gives you the chance to replay interactions with your favorite characters and forge a different path for your relationships.
Collected Shards: In many games, collectibles and shards are reset, as they're often tied to specific locations or questlines. This means you'll have the fun of rediscovering these hidden items as you explore Night City once again. So, while you may have to track them down, it adds to the exploration aspect. You will get to go through the adventure of discovering the shards you might have missed in your first playthrough.

Is Cyberpunk 2077's New Game Plus Worth It?

Okay, so the big question: Is New Game Plus worth it in Cyberpunk 2077? The answer is a resounding yes, especially for players who:

Love the Story: If you're fascinated by the narrative and characters, NG+ is a fantastic way to experience the story with different choices and outcomes. It allows you to revisit the characters you love, explore new narrative arcs, and discover endings that you may not have seen. NG+ allows you to fully engage with the story and explore all its facets. This makes the game more rewarding, as you can see the different impacts your choices have and discover new aspects of the characters and their relationships. The immersive narrative combined with the freedom of choice makes it worth it.
Want to Try Different Builds: NG+ is perfect for those who want to experiment with different character builds without starting completely from scratch. You can test out different playstyles and see which one you like best. This allows you to fully experience the game, as you can experience different aspects of the gameplay by choosing the class that suits you. From hacking to gun-slinging, NG+ provides a playground for testing new skills and character builds.
Are Completionists: If you're the type who wants to find everything, NG+ gives you another chance to find those hidden collectibles, complete side quests you missed, and get every achievement. It allows completionists to fully immerse themselves in the game. This will let you find any hidden content you may have missed during your first playthrough and collect the achievements you may have missed. If you love discovering every detail in the game, NG+ is an excellent option for you.
Want a Fresh Experience: Sometimes you just want to revisit a game, but don't want to go through the initial grind. NG+ gives you that fresh start while keeping your favorite gear and abilities. This reduces the amount of time needed to reach a point where you feel powerful and lets you focus on the aspects of the game you enjoy. This allows you to enjoy the game's core content without having to start from scratch. A fresh start will help you get back into Night City with a boost.

However, it might not be for everyone. If you:

Only Care About the Main Story: If you're solely focused on the main story and don't care about side quests or exploring Night City, NG+ might not offer enough value for you. While the replay value for the main storyline is there, it might not be worth it if you're not interested in exploring all the other content the game has to offer.
Dislike Repetition: If you dislike the idea of replaying the same content, NG+ might feel repetitive. Although you have the option to make different choices and try out new builds, some players may not find this appealing. It's important to consider whether you're willing to engage with the story for a second, third, or fourth time. If you dislike replaying games, it may not be worth it.

Tips for Playing Cyberpunk 2077 New Game Plus

Alright, you're ready to jack into NG+? Here are a few tips to make your journey smoother:

Plan Your Build: Before you start, think about what kind of character build you want to try. This will help you optimize your choices and perks from the beginning. Knowing what skills you want to prioritize will help you make the most out of your new playthrough.
Explore Different Choices: Make different choices than you did in your first playthrough. This will allow you to see the consequences and impact of your decisions on the story. This adds depth to the narrative and gives you new experiences.
Focus on What You Missed: Use this playthrough to find collectibles, complete side quests, and explore areas you didn't see before. Use this opportunity to experience the things you might have overlooked previously.
Experiment with Weapons and Cyberware: Try out different weapons, cyberware, and playstyles to find what works best for you. This makes the gameplay more entertaining and adds depth to your character.
Don't Rush: Take your time, enjoy the journey, and immerse yourself in the world of Night City. Enjoy the experience; don't rush through it to get the game over with.

Conclusion: Is New Game Plus in Cyberpunk 2077 Right for You?

So, is New Game Plus in Cyberpunk 2077 worth your time? For most players, absolutely! It offers a great way to revisit the game, experiment with new builds, make different choices, and dive back into the neon-soaked world of Night City with a fresh perspective and all your favorite gear. Whether you're a story enthusiast, a completionist, or just someone looking for a fun new gaming experience, NG+ provides a compelling way to extend the life of your favorite game. However, if you are not interested in replaying the main story or the side quests, then this may not be the option for you.

In the end, the decision is yours, choomba. But if you're looking for a way to extend your time in Night City and experience everything the game has to offer, give New Game Plus a try. You might just find yourself falling in love with Cyberpunk 2077 all over again. Now go out there and make some legends! And remember, stay safe, stay stylish, and always remember to check your cyberware for bugs!