God of War Ragnarok’s New Game Plus update is out now

It’s time for a new game (plus)

The New Game Plus update for God of War Ragnarok is live today, giving players a good reason to hop back in if they didn’t get enough the first time around. It adds a pretty decent amount of content for a new run too, from new armor to enchantments and more.

Today’s PlayStation blog runs down the specifics, including the basics: this is NG+, so all your equipment, weapons, and skills will carry over from a previous save. This includes the Draupnir Spear, though it comes with a caveat. Sonic and Hex arrows will still require players to reach the point in the story where they become available. Also, areas requiring either the arrows or the Spear to reach will not unlock until you’ve reached the main questline’s point where they become available. Sorry, still some backtracking.

Kratos’ new duds

There’s plenty of new things to unlock in a New Game Plus run of God of War Ragnarok, though. The cloak from the opening scene has been added as part of the Armor of the Black Bear set, which comes pre-equipped in NG+ runs.

Or if you want some challenge, you can strip down Kratos with the Spartan Armor, which confers no Perks, Stats, and is locked at Power Level 1. Or you can just transmog the look onto some good armor, to have the best of both worlds. The Ares and Zeus armor return from God of War (2018)’s New Game Plus as well, with new perks. Ares gives chances for Health Stones to drop on hit, while the Zeus armor turns Kratos into a glass cannon. The Spartan and Ares armor can be bought at the Huldra Brothers’ Shop for Hacksilver, while Zeus Armor will require defeating Gná the Valkyrie Queen and finishing “certain” Remnants of Asgard in New Game Plus.

Additionally, 13 existing armors are getting new color combinations and styles. A new shield, the Spartan Aspis shield, will also be at the brothers’ shop.

A new cap

In New Game Plus, enemies will become more powerful. But hey, so will everyone’s favorite video game father. All Level 9 equipment can be converted into Plus versions for more progression. Additionally, converting equipment will provide a Gilded Coin, with which you can pick up one of the new Enchantments.

The Enchantments will let you mix and match even more, customizing your playstyle and perks for the perfect loadout. Additionally, Burdens offer new challenges, for those who really want to feel the hurt.

Some new Progression Paths also open up, for more stats and rewards.

The expanding arena

The arena in Niflheim is also growing, allowing you to pick either Kratos or Atreus to play as, and free selection of a bunch of companions. (I’ve omitted them because of spoilers, but you can check the PS Blog for the details.)

New arena fights are in, and even the endgame optional bosses are getting some new moves. Add on a new Black and White render mode, and there’s a lot to find here in a second run of Kratos and Atreus’ wacky, world-ending journey.

The New Game Plus update is out now for God of War Ragnarok.