More and more game-developing companies include the Game Plus (or Game+) mode in their games. That’s one of the best ways to make players spend even more time playing the game, usually with some extra rewards included.
Each company may provide its own unique gameplay after starting the Game+ mode, which may end up worth your while.
What is the Game+ Mode?
In short, the Game+ mode (also seen in many games as NG+) is a feature that makes players replay the whole campaign/story after completing the main storyline. Depending on the game you’re playing, you may lose your items and gear, or even other stats too, but they usually let you keep your skills.
Why replay the whole game, you may ask? There may be many reasons for the existence of a Game+ mode in a game, and some of them may include:
- The developers want to increase the total time that players spend playing the game by replaying the whole campaign once again.
- As an extra challenge, in some games, after enabling the Game+ mode, you play in a more realistic environment with harder and smarter enemies.
- Some games may “force” players to start the Game+ mode if they want to maximize all of their character’s stats or unlock all their skills.
- In some Game+ modes, the players will find many bonuses or extra items, such as unique skins, boxes, and whatever else the game may offer to its players.
- Some games may unlock specific achievements on Steam once you start or complete the Game+ mode.
Almost every game will let you know exactly how its Game+ mode works and what you’re going to lose and/or gain as an alternative.
The Game+ mode is anything but new
The Game+ mode is either rare or something new, many games have used it in the past, and some may even alter its name.
For example, if you played Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, then you probably remember the “Prestige” option, which you could select once you hit level 70 (which was the maximum point), losing every weapon and its upgrades and becoming level 1 once again.
The game was asking you to complete the prestige 10 times if you wanted to get the ultimate and last icon – that basically showed your experience in the game. Along the way, the players also got rewarded with extra titles and emblems that they could use to customize their character’s profile.
Newest games such as The Last of Us: Part I also include a Game+ mode to replay the story and upgrade all of your weapons to their maximum stats. And let’s face it, the game is so good, that it makes you want to replay it not once, not twice, but multiple times over the years – and especially the remastered version.
Another great example is Dying Light 2, which offers a different approach where you can replay the whole story but with all of the skills and weapons you’ve uncooked – but at a higher difficulty level. Skills and abilities that were unlocked in the main game carry over, AI for both enemies and NPCs is more advanced, and there are better rewards, including unique items and resources that are not available in the standard mode.
Should you start the Game+ mode?
If you’ve enjoyed the game and you’ll be interested in replaying the whole story, but this time a bit differently and depending on the developers’ choices, then you should absolutely go with it.
Especially for players who can maximize their skills and stats and keep the one that they already have unlocked, the game will be surely more enjoyable.
If you don’t see any reason to start the game from the very beginning, then you don’t have to start the Game+ mode – except in some cases where a game is basically forcing you to do so. But in most cases, it’s optional, and you can skip it entirely.
Do you currently play a game that has the Game+ mode included? Are you going to replay the whole game or skip the mode entirely? What does the game change or offer if you start the mode? Let me know in the comments down below.
