New Game Plus modes that completely change the story

Traditionally, players would go through a game once and enjoy the journey. They can choose to replay the game, but rarely would things carry over. That changed with the SNES gem Chrono Trigger 1995, which is one of the first games to have a legitimate New Game Plus mode. Levels and items would carry over to the next playthrough, and with multiple endings, this made it a worthwhile RPG to keep.

Now New Game Plus is available in many games, including non-RPGs. Very few of them affect the story on the second playthrough, but these games, released in 2025, are a little different. Some examples may be more extreme than others, but either way, fans reading on needn't worry about spoilers.

Silent Hill b

Subtle changes affect reality

Silent Hill b is the best example of a game from 2025 that features a dynamic, story-changing New Game Plus mode. After the first playthrough, players will get a normal ending, and when restarting a new game, players can carry over normal things like stat progression that players unlocked throughout their previous adventure.

Soon, players will see subtle changes to the story like different camera angles, different line readings, and more. Since there are different endings, players can only start unlocking them by choosing different paths or playing the game differently in subsequent playthroughs. For example, choosing not to take down Red Pills to heal will change the story, and this should be something Silent Hill fans are familiar with.

The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy

100 endings to see

The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is a rather obscure tactical RPG set in 2025, from the minds behind the bizarre visual novel series, Danganronpa. In the game, seemingly ordinary high school student Takumi witnesses a disaster in his town. He then finds himself in a fight to save the world along with other teenagers.

At the end of the game, players will be able to restart from different points in the story to resume gameplay in a non-traditional New Game Plus-like manner. Stats and various other things will carry over, and the game has a hundred different endings, which is huge for a video game. This means that players can take their newly acquired knowledge to various walkthroughs to discover better endings.

Triangle strategy

The balance of power

Triangle strategy is a tactical RPG originally released as a Switch exclusive in 2022, coming to PC later, and now it's here for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players. The game puts players in charge of House Wolffort, a neutral citadel that has helped other nations throughout time.

The game is about a war for salt, where players will be presented with the scales of justice at crucial moments in the story, and then they will have to vote on how to proceed. Once the game is complete, players can restart with their data transferred to go down different paths. Replaying the game by siding with other nations is the only way to get every party member, which in turn will affect the story.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Choosing sides

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is not a complete reboot of Dynasty Warriors series, but it does change some aspects of the game. Firstly, players will primarily control a playable character, The Wanderer, who can be upgraded in various ways, from leveling him up traditionally to gear progression.

There is a point in the story where players must choose a family to follow in their conquest of China. By completing the game, players can then go through chapter to page with different armies to influence the story. There is a special path that cannot be reached until players have beaten the game once, so just replaying is enough Dynasty Warriors: Origins at least once.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Experience The Game Post-Twist

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a long classic turn-based Western RPG in the vein of JRPG classics such as Final Fantasy 8 and Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. There aren't many story choices presented throughout the campaign, except at the campfire, where players can bond romantically with select characters.

At the end, players must make a bold choice, which will affect the ending. New Game Plus allows players to transfer most data, and the story remains virtually the same, although players will see it through a different lens now that the secrets are out of the bag, like rewatching a movie that The sixth sense. Still, it might be worth replaying to make different binding choices and to get a different ending.

Ninja Gaiden 4

How it was meant to be played

It was a good year for Ninja Gaiden series, but only one of the three games released in 2025 featured the original character, Ryu, who was in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. Both Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and Ninja Gaiden 4 features different protagonists, with Ryu appearing in a few chapters as a playable character in the later game.

Dedicated fans who make it through the game will unlock a way to replay chapters to search for secrets and continue to level up Yakumo, the new hero. However, players can also replay the entire game as Ryu if they want to experience the game in a new light. It won't change the story in any major ways, but it will play differently since Ryu's and Yakumo's playstyles are different.

Assassin's Creed Shadows

Continues after the end

Assassin's Creed Shadows is set in Japan and features dual protagonists, Naoe, who is a ninja, and Yasuke, who is a samurai. Players can approach most missions as both characters, which will affect playstyle, as Naoe prefers stealth, while players can destroy enemies with Yasuke's brute strength. There aren't many reasons to replay the game for story purposes, as there are very few choices in the game.

However, once the game is complete, the story can now continue with new DLC content, called Claws of Awajiwhich technically can only be accessed after beating the game. Also, if players restart from the beginning with New Game Plus, they can skip the first two hours or so, which are dedicated to tutorial missions.