For those hesitant about picking up Elden Ring again, don’t be. It is absolutely worth further exploration for those who may have only skimmed the surface on their first playthrough, and for those who have, there is always new game plus to check out. With hype ramping up for Elden Ring’s rumored Badlands DLC, now is one of the best times to dive back into the game and experience what may have been missed the first time around.
Elden Ring boasts a massive open world, and it takes hundreds of hours to explore it to the fullest extent. Changing character builds is one of the best ways to re-engage with the game. Elden Ring is challenging, so when something works, it can be easy for players to get locked into one playstyle for the entirety of the game. However, there is a great variety of builds that completely change the player’s approach. Those who spent most of their skill points in Strength and Dexterity on the first run will experience a totally different game when they decide to buff Intelligence or Faith, which Elden Ring patches improved, in the next playthrough.
Another benefit of replaying Elden Ring is experiencing a deeper understanding of the game’s narrative. The story is rich and highly complex and isn’t presented in the most straightforward manner. After completing the game and seeing most of the Lands Between, players embarking on another playthrough will notice things they may have missed before. Going through Stormveil Castle again, for example, experienced players may recognize that the face of the Prince of Death, otherwise seen in the Deeproot Depths later in the game, is growing from its lower levels. Elden Ring is chock-full of moments like this, and it's a great feeling linking obscure pieces of the narrative puzzle.
New Game Plus Is Perfect For Returning Elden Ring Players
New Game Plus in Elden Ring is an excellent option for those who don’t want to struggle as much as they may have the first time playing it. All the upgrade materials, weapons, spells, and armor are carried over into New Game Plus, so the earlier stages of the game will be much more manageable. The game compensates for the player’s advantage by increasing the health and damage dealt by enemies. This effect can be stacked up to NG+7, the most challenging version of Elden Ring.
New Game Plus also opens the opportunity to try out all the best weapons in the base game before the Elden Ring’s new DLC gear is added. There is so much to explore in the game and many ways to experience it. When the DLC launches, it will provide even more ways to enhance the game’s replay value. Players should do themselves a favor and play Elden Ring again.