How to Start a New Game in Dragon’s Dogma 2: A Complete Guide

Dragon’s Dogma 2 has captured the hearts of many gamers with its immersive world and intricate gameplay mechanics. If you’re seeking a fresh start or wish to experience the game with a different character build, understanding how to start a new game is essential. While the game offers robust options for continuing your adventure, the process of starting anew can be a bit confusing for some players. This guide will walk you through the steps necessary to start a new game in Dragon’s Dogma 2.

Understanding the Game Structure

Before diving into the mechanics of starting a new game, it’s crucial to understand that Dragon’s Dogma 2 is designed with a focus on continuity. The game encourages players to keep progressing, even after achieving significant milestones. This can make the idea of starting over somewhat daunting, but fear not; there are options available for those who want to reset their experience.

What is New Game Plus?

After finishing the main storyline—defeating the final boss, The Dragon—you unlock the New Game Plus (NG+) mode. In this mode, you have the opportunity to restart the game while carrying over your character’s level, equipment, and some of the progress you’ve made. This option is ideal for players who want to experience the game’s content again without starting from scratch. You can access the NG+ mode by choosing the “Restart game with current level and equipment” option from the main menu after completing the game.

Starting from Scratch: Deleting Save Files

If you want to experience Dragon’s Dogma 2 from the very beginning with a fresh character and no carryover, there is a method to do this. However, it’s essential to proceed with caution, as this method involves deleting your existing save files. Here’s how you can start a new game by manually deleting your save data:

Turn Off Cloud Syncing:
Before making any changes to your save files, ensure that your cloud syncing is turned off in Steam. This step is critical, as it prevents your deleted save files from being restored once you delete them. You can find this option under Steam settings.
Locate Your Save Files:
Your save files for Dragon’s Dogma 2 are typically stored in a specific folder on your computer. To find the location, navigate to the directory where the game is installed. Look for a folder named “Saves” or similar.
Delete the Save Files:
Once you’ve located the save files, delete them. Be careful not to delete the wrong files, as this action is irreversible. After deletion, you can close the folder.
Restart the Game:
Launch Dragon’s Dogma 2 again. Upon starting, the game should recognize that there are no existing save files, prompting you to create a new game.
Create Your New Character:
Follow the in-game prompts to create and customize your new character. You’ll be back in the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2, ready to embark on a new adventure.

Alternative Method: Using Restart Game Option

If you prefer to keep your original save but still want to start a new game, you can use the in-game “Restart Game” option after beating the game. Here’s how:

Complete the Game:
Make sure you have finished the main storyline.
Select Restart Option:
From the main menu, choose the “Restart game with current level and equipment” option. This allows you to replay the game without losing your current progress.
Confirm Your Choice:
Confirm that you wish to restart the game, and you’ll then be taken back to the beginning while retaining your level and equipment.

Conclusion

Starting a new game in Dragon’s Dogma 2 can enhance your gaming experience as you can explore different character builds and story paths. Whether you opt for the New Game Plus feature to keep your progress or choose to delete your save files for a complete reset, both methods will allow you to dive back into this rich and challenging world. Just remember to back up your saves if you want to retain your original progress before making any significant changes. Happy gaming!