I still remember the moment I finally defeated the last boss in Black Myth: Wukong last year—my hands trembling on the controller as the credits rolled. That bittersweet feeling washed over me: triumph mixed with the sadness of an epic journey ending. But then, like a bolt from the blue, the main menu reappeared with that glorious new option—"Enter a New Cycle." Man, my heart did a little flip! I didn't hesitate for a second before diving back in. After all, who could resist reliving Sun Wukong's saga while keeping all those hard-earned powers?
Keeping My Hard-Won Treasures
Let me tell you—starting NG+ felt like coming home with battle scars instead of empty pockets. Almost everything carried over, which was an absolute game-changer. No more grinding for basic abilities! Here’s what stayed with me:
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Level and progression systems: My character level, talent tree unlocks, and spirit skills remained intact
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Combat toolkit: All weapons, spells, armor sets (including upgrades!), and transformations
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Collectibles: Every relic I'd found and all invested Sparks for transformations
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Special items: Obtained vessels stayed in my inventory
Having my full arsenal from the get-go completely transformed early-game encounters. Those pesky minibosses that gave me headaches during my first playthrough? I mopped the floor with 'em using endgame combos! 🎮⚡️
Fresh Challenges and Upgrades
Don’t think this was just a victory lap though—NG+ kicked things up several notches. Game Science wasn’t kidding about ramping up the difficulty. Enemies hit harder, moved faster, and bosses had new attack patterns that made me relearn fights I thought I'd mastered. At one point, I actually yelled at my screen when a supposedly "easy" early boss combo-killed me! 😅
But the trade-offs made it worthwhile. For starters:
| Feature | Base Game | New Game Plus |
|---|---|---|
| XP Gains | Standard | Increased by ~40% |
| Will Rewards | Normal | Significantly higher |
| Armor Upgrades | Only in Painted Realm | Available at any shrine |
| Weapon Options | Standard trees | New NG+-exclusive branches |
Oh, and those new weapons? Chef's kiss! To craft them, I needed to own their prerequisite versions first. Took me back to those tree-branching upgrade paths—only now with shiny legendary-tier options. The grind felt purposeful instead of repetitive.
Secret Hunting and Second Chances
Here’s the real kicker: NG+ let me finally explore properly. During my first playthrough, I’d missed so much optional content rushing through the story. This time? I hunted down every hidden area and secret boss like a possessed treasure hunter. And let me tell you—those optional fights? They’re no joke. One particular dragon boss in a forgotten temple had mechanics that made my first-playthrough finale look like child’s play!
For completionists like me, this mode is pure gold. But fair warning—if the base game already pushed you to your limits, NG+ might break you. The difficulty spike is real, and even with all your gear, some refights will have you questioning your life choices. Still, overcoming those challenges with your fully-powered Wukong? Unbeatable satisfaction.
Was It Worth the Journey?
You bet your golden cudgel it was! While not a total overhaul, the changes created a beautifully fresh experience:
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Revisiting story moments with max powers gave new perspective
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Hunting secrets without pressure made exploration joyful
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The heightened stakes kept combat exhilarating
If you loved the base game even a little, do yourself a favor—start that new cycle. But if you barely scraped through the first time? Maybe enjoy your victory awhile longer. Either way, this feature proves Game Science truly understands replay value.
So what are you waiting for, fellow monkey warriors? That "New Cycle" button isn't gonna press itself! Dust off your armor, reforge your cudgel, and let's rediscover this masterpiece together. Your greatest adventure awaits—again. 🔥🐒