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New Game Plus
March 21, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Accuracy fix: Fix 100% completion time estimate to upwards of 150 hours
New Game Plus (commonly abbreviated as NG+) is a feature in Crimson Desert that allows players to start a fresh playthrough after completing the main story while retaining character stats, skills, and some equipment from the previous run. The mode is available at launch. Pearl Abyss
Crimson Desert does not feature selectable difficulty settings. The game uses a single, fixed difficulty curve where challenge is determined by player skill, equipment upgrades, and skill tree progression. New Game Plus serves as the primary way to experience heightened difficulty in subsequent playthroughs, with enemies and bosses becoming significantly stronger.
How to Unlock: Complete the main story campaign to unlock New Game Plus. After the final story mission, the option to begin a New Game Plus playthrough becomes available from the main menu.Photo Mode.
Based on the Fextralife community wiki and player reports, the following mechanics apply in New Game Plus:
Players need to complete the main story campaign to unlock New Game Plus. The campaign follows Kliff and the Greymane mercenaries across the continent of Pywel and spans upwards of 150 hours of content. After the final story mission, the option to begin a New Game Plus playthrough becomes available from the main menu.
The following progression elements transfer between playthroughs:
Category | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Carries over | Confirmed by developer commentary | |
Carries over | Unlocked skills and skill tree progress are expected to transfer | |
Partially carries over | Some equipment transfers between playthroughs | |
Story progress | Resets | Main story and side quests restart from the beginning |
Map exploration | To be confirmed | Fog of war and discovered locations may reset |
To be confirmed | The 2,921 collectible knowledge entries may persist | |
To be confirmed | Whether Damiane and Oongka are available from the start is unknown |
Enemies and bosses encountered in New Game Plus are significantly stronger and tougher to defeat. Since Crimson Desert has no difficulty settings, this scaling is the primary mechanism for increasing the challenge. Players rely on their carried-over skills and upgraded weapons and armor to keep pace with the heightened enemy power.
Before starting New Game Plus, players should maximize their progression in their current playthrough:
Finish all Hernand Commission quests and other side objectives to collect materials, silver, and extra inventory space
Clear every Challenge across the map to earn unique rewards
Fill out the Knowledge System by interacting with NPCs, examining objects, and exploring all regions
Collect Abyss Artifacts scattered throughout Pywel to unlock every node in the skill tree
Refine your weapons and armor to their highest levels using Bloodstone and other max-tier materials
Experiment with all three playable characters (Kliff, Damiane, Oongka) to master their combat styles before facing tougher NG+ enemies
Gather cooking ingredients and prepare meals that provide stat buffs
Accumulate silver from merchant runs, quest rewards, and looting to have a comfortable currency reserve
Upgrade the Greymane Camp facilities to their maximum levels for the best crafting and rest bonuses
New Game Plus is one of several features Pearl Abyss is considering for post-launch updates. Other confirmed or discussed additions include:
Feature | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
New Game Plus | Available at launch | Replay the story with carried-over progression and harder enemies |
Under consideration | Capture screenshots with camera controls and filters | |
DLC / Expansions | Planned | Post-launch downloadable content has been confirmed as part of the roadmap |
Multiplayer | Under consideration | Network functionality may be explored depending on market demand |
Mod support | Under consideration | Community modding tools are being looked into for the future |
For players starting a New Game Plus run, keep these tips in mind: Keep these tips in mind for a second run:
Try different skill paths early on. Since skills are learned by observing NPCs and enemies in the world, knowing where to look lets you build a different playstyle faster.
Focus on horse acquisition and mounted combat earlier. Obtaining your mount in Deepfog Basin opens up traversal and combat options significantly.
Prioritize stamina upgrades for exploration. Climbing, swimming, and gliding all consume stamina, and having more of it early makes the open world much more accessible.
Visit the blacksmith in Hernand Town early to purchase or refine a strong starting weapon before heading into dangerous areas.
