Final Fantasy XVI, developed and published by Square Enix, is officially here, and fans are finally experiencing what many critics deem to be the best Final Fantasy game in years. While the main story will take around 35 hours to complete, completing everything the game has to offer will take upwards of 100 hours and multiple playthroughs, so dedicated players will be thrilled to know that the developers have included a New Game + option with the latest installment to the Final Fantasy franchise.
One of the primary purposes almost any New Game + serves is to allow players the opportunity to continue to develop their character beyond where they ended their initial playthrough. This typically involves a character's level and abilities carrying over to subsequent playthroughs, which happens to be one of the many features of Final Fantasy XVI's New Game +. Here is everything that does and doesn't carry over to New Game + in Final Fantasy XVi, as well as all the title's Final Fantasy Mode entails.
What Does and Doesn't Carry Over to a New Game Plus
Final Fantasy XVI's New Game + allows players to carry over almost everything from their first playthrough, and it is highly necessary, as it takes a considerable amount of time to unlock everything the game has to offer. While there are a couple of things that don't carry over into a New Game +, players will likely be more than satisfied with what is. The three most helpful things that carry over to a New Game + in FFXVI are a player's EXP and level, any previously unlocked abilities, and the gear and most of the items in their inventory.
The carryover of a player's EXP and level is essential to efficient progression in a New Game +, especially if players are still struggling to reach the level cap of 50 by the end of their first playthrough. Any previously unlocked abilities carried over is also a welcome feature, as it takes a considerable amount of time for players to acquire enough Ability Points to unlock, upgrade, and master every ability that is made available by the end of their initial playthrough. Players will also be pleased to know that any gear they had in their inventory before starting a New Game + will be transferred over, as well as most of their items. There are some items and features, however, that do not transfer.
Unfortunately, any curiosities acquired for the Wall of Memories in a player's first playthrough will have to be earned again in a New Game +. This essentially means it will still be beneficial in a New Game + for players to complete every side quest and optional activity made available to them. Orchestrion Rolls are among the curiosities that do transfer, however, so players will get to enjoy their hard-earned music pieces from their first visit to the Hideaway in every subsequent playthrough. Another unfortunate non-transferrable feature is the Chocobo mount, Ambrosia. That being said, the Chocobo mount can be acquired fairly early on in the game's second act, which only takes a few hours to reach if players skip the introduction and every cinematic thereafter.
Final Fantasy Mode Offers New Gear and an Increased Challenge
The most notable feature of Final Fantasy XVI's New Game + is without a doubt Final Fantasy Mode. In this mode, not only do possessions, abilities, and level progression carry over from a previous playthrough, but the level cap is increased to 100 and players can acquire and craft new gear like the Ultima Sword. However, with an increased level cap and the availability of new gear comes far more powerful enemies. During a Final Fantasy Mode playthrough, players will encounter enemies in different locations than they were initially, including much earlier encounters with challenging enemies that they didn't face until late in the game during their first playthrough.
Final Fantasy Mode allows players to find and craft "Reinforced" equipment items, which are essentially upgraded versions of gear found during a normal playthrough. It is not only worth it to explore every nook and cranny during a New Game + run but also to check Blackthorne's available crafting recipes after every major plot point. While "Reinforced" gear is certainly a major benefit to playing Final Fantasy Mode, the Ultima Sword is by far the highlight. This legendary blade is nearly twice as powerful as a normal playthrough's most powerful weapon, the Gotterdammerung, so players will want to get their hands on it as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, crafting it will not be possible until players are nearing the end of their Final Fantasy Mode playthrough.