So, you finished the story. You saw the murals, felt the weight of that final goodbye, and watched the credits roll on Kratos and Atreus. Most people just put the controller down there. They think they're done. But honestly, God of War Ragnarok New Game Plus changes the entire rhythm of the game in a way that makes the first playthrough feel like a tutorial.
It's massive.
Santa Monica Studio didn't just give us a "start over with your gear" button; they basically re-tuned the entire combat loop. If you’re sitting there wondering if it’s worth sinking another 40 hours into Fimbulwinter, the answer depends on whether you actually enjoy the mechanics or just wanted the plot.
What Actually Changes When You Hit Square
Most games give you a power trip in NG+. This does too, but it bites back. The level cap isn’t just a number anymore. You start at Level 9, but you can push Kratos way further with Primal Flames and Sovereign Coals. It sounds like standard RPG progression, but the math changes how you approach bosses like Hrolf or Gna.
The enemies are smarter.
They don't just have more health; they have new Runic armor layers. You can't just spam the Draupnir Spear and hope for the best. You’ve got to actually think about your build. I spent my first run just wearing whatever had the highest Strength stat. In NG+, that’s a death sentence. You start looking at things like the Armor of Black Bear—that sleek cape Kratos wears in the opening sequence—which actually rewards last-second evades with a volley of Bifrost shards. It’s flashy, sure, but it’s also functional.
The Gear Nobody Talks About
There’s a weird obsession with the Zeus Armor. Yeah, it’s the glass cannon build. It makes you hit like a freight train but you’ll die if a Draugr sneezes on you. It’s high-risk, high-reward, and frankly, it’s the only way to play if you want to feel that old-school Greek Saga adrenaline.
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But have you seen the Spartan Armor?
It’s literally a joke. Well, a challenge. It gives you zero stats. No perks. No power. It’s just Kratos in a loincloth. If you’re one of those "Give Me God of War" masochists, this is your ultimate test. You’re basically telling the game that you don't need the stats because your parry timing is perfect. Most of us aren't that good. I’m certainly not. I prefer the Spartan Aspis, a shield that has a tighter parry window but hits significantly harder when you pull it off. It’s a subtle nod to the combat of the earlier games, and it feels incredible when you find that flow.
Those New Enchantments are Key
You can now buy "Burden" enchantments from the Huldra brothers. Why would you want a debuff? Because the community asked for it. These are for the players who found the base game too easy even on the hardest settings. You can give Kratos constant Frost damage or make him take extra damage when rolling. It’s weirdly satisfying to handicap yourself after becoming an unkillable Norse god.
On the flip side, the Gilded Coins you get from upgrading NG+ gear let you buy "Engravings." These allow you to take a perk from one chest armor and slot it into your amulet. Imagine having the perk of the Lunda armor—poisoning enemies on bare-handed hits—while wearing the heavy defensive stats of the Steinbjorn set. It breaks the game in the best way possible. You become a custom-built machine of war.
Don't Skip the Cutscenes (Again)
It’s easy to mash the skip button. Don't. Knowing how the story ends—knowing who Týr really is and what Odin is actually planning—makes the early dialogue hit differently. You see the flickers of hesitation in certain characters. You notice the foreshadowing in the Nornir’s words.
The relationship between Kratos and Freya feels more earned when you’re playing through the Vanaheim arc for the second time. You realize that Kratos isn't just being stoic; he’s terrified of losing his son. Every grunt and nod has more weight when you aren't distracted by wondering "What happens next?" You’re focused on "Why is this happening?"
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The Niflheim Training Arena
In God of War Ragnarok New Game Plus, the training arena in Niflheim actually lets you pick your companions. You want to fight alongside Thor? You want to see how Kratos and Ingrid (the sword) work together? You can do that here. It’s a sandbox mode that people often overlook because it’s tucked away in a corner of the map. It’s where you go to test those insane Berserker builds before you take them into the wild.
Mastering the Late-Game Loop
The progression feels faster but more meaningful. You’re collecting Primal Flames to get your weapons to Level 10 and beyond. This isn't just about damage numbers. It’s about the feeling of the combat. At the higher levels, the elemental status effects—Burn, Frost, Sonic, Hex—become your primary tools.
You’ll find yourself switching weapons mid-combo not just because it looks cool, but because you need to prime an enemy with Frost from the Leviathan Axe before shattering them with the Blades of Chaos. The "Switch Stance" moves that many players ignored in their first run become essential. You start to play the game the way the designers intended: like a choreographed dance of violence.
The Real Challenge: The Berserker King and Gna
If you thought they were hard on your first run, NG+ Gna is a nightmare. She has new patterns. She’s faster. She punishes greed. To beat her here, you need a cohesive build.
- The Relic Build: Using the Hilt of Hofud to slow down time, paired with enchantments that increase damage during Realm Shifts.
- The Runic Build: Focus on Cooldown and Elemental Tech to keep her staggered.
- The Survivalist: High Vitality and Defense, relying on the Berserker Resurrection Stone to get back in the fight.
Most players fail because they try to do a bit of everything. In NG+, you have to commit. Pick a lane and optimize it until you're a specialist.
Actionable Steps for Your New Journey
Don't just jump into the portal blindly. If you want the most out of your replay, follow this logic.
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First, go to the Huldra Shop immediately. You’ll have a bunch of materials from your previous save. Use them to buy the new level-cap upgrades for your favorite gear. Don't hoard your Hacksilver; you’ll get plenty more.
Second, seek out the Berserker Soulstones. These are a new currency in NG+ that allow you to upgrade your amulets further. You’ll want every slot available to fit those new Engravings.
Third, change your playstyle. If you were an Axe-main, force yourself to use the Spear. The Draupnir Spear has some of the most complex combos in the game, specifically the "Hoplite" style attacks that involve planting multiple spears before detonating them all at once. It changes the "feel" of the encounters.
Lastly, pay attention to the Labors. There are new tiers of Labors in NG+ that give you massive amounts of XP. This XP can be spent on "Mod Tokens" for your skills. You can add extra damage, stun, or protection to your favorite moves. It’s the final layer of customization that lets you truly "own" your version of Kratos.
The game is different now. You aren't a survivor trying to navigate a prophecy. You are the God of War, fully realized, facing a world that is finally strong enough to fight back.