So, you've conquered the Mongol horde, mastered the way of the Ghost, and liberated Tsushima. You thought your journey was over? Think again, fam! In 2026, Ghost of Tsushima's New Game Plus (NG+) mode remains one of the most compelling reasons to dive back into Sucker Punch's masterpiece. This isn't just a simple replay; it's a whole new beast with fresh challenges, exclusive gear, and some serious quality-of-life upgrades. Let's break down everything you need to know before you hit that 'New Game Plus' button and become the legend all over again.

First things first: Unlocking NG+ is non-negotiable. You gotta finish the main campaign, including the epilogue. Side quests and collectibles? Not mandatory, but hey, completionists gonna complete. Once you do, a new option appears, letting you restart the story from right after the prologue's initial invasion. No more lengthy intro cutscene—you're thrown straight into the action. Let's get into the nitty-gritty of what carries over and what gets a hard reset.

What You Keep: The Good Stuff 🎮

Your hard-earned skills and tools? They're all yours, no cap.

• Combat Arsenal: All your unlocked Stances (Stone, Water, Wind, Moon) are ready from the get-go. No need to re-earn them by observing Mongol commanders. The Grappling Hook is also in your pocket from minute one, making exploration way smoother.

• Weapons & Armor: Your trusty Katana, Half Bow, and Longbow come with you, along with every single Armor Set you've collected—from the stealthy Ghost Armor to the archery-focused Tadayori's Armor.

• Charms: Don't panic if you boot up and see empty Charm slots! All your collected Charms are still in your inventory; they're just unequipped. This includes game-changers like the Charm of Inari (for extra supplies).

• Techniques: Every technique you purchased with Technique Points—like the Heavenly Strike or Dance of Wrath—remains unlocked. You start as a fully-fledged warrior.

• Artifacts: Breathe a sigh of relief! Your Artifact Collection, including those tricky-to-find Sashimono Banners and their saddles, is preserved. You only had to find that history once.

What Gets Reset: The Grind is Real 😅

Alright, here's the not-so-fun part. Some things go back to zero, so manage your expectations.

• Crafting Materials & Supplies: This is a big one. Your satchel will be EMPTY. All Supplies, Wood, Cloth, Metal, and Goods vanish. Pro Tip: Before starting NG+, spend EVERY last resource on upgrading your favorite gear. Gear upgrades stay, the materials don't. Your bow types stay, but you start with zero arrows.

• The Map & Fog of War: Yep, the beautiful, cleared map of Tsushima? Gone. The fog of war returns in full force, and all Fast Travel points are locked again. Time to explore every corner on foot or horseback once more. It's a journey, not a destination.

• Vanity & Collection Progress: All those Sword Kits, Hats, Masks, and other cosmetics you unlocked are still equippable. However, the game's progress tracker for collectibles resets to 0/59. You'll need to find Haiku, Bamboo Strikes, and Fox Dens again if you want that 100% completion. The silver lining? Finding them now rewards you with Ghost Flowers (more on that later).

Exclusive NG+ Features & New Content 🆕

This is where NG+ really shines. It's not just a replay; it's an enhanced experience with brand-new goodies.

1. Baku the Voiceless & Ghost Flowers 💀

Meet Baku the Voiceless, a mysterious new vendor who appears in Ariake (Act 1) and later at the Jogaku Temple (Act 3). He's your exclusive source for the coolest new gear, and he only accepts one currency: Ghost Flowers. You earn these by re-completing Tales, liberating settlements, and finding collectibles in your NG+ playthrough.

What can you buy from Baku?

• New Armor Dyes: Flashy new colors for your favorite armor sets.

• Exclusive Charms: Some are awesome, some are... challenging.

  • Charm of Heavenly Rebuke: Has a chance to call down lightning on an enemy when you use Heavenly Strike. Absolutely busted and visually stunning.

  • Charm of Carnage: Purely cosmetic, increases gore in combat. For the true warriors.

  • Challenge Charms: These are for masochists. Examples include Charm of Fatal Return (any damage can be instant death) or Charm of Severed Hearts (enemies drop no loot).

2. Powerful New Upgrades ⚔️

Your favorite gear gets even stronger. Most armor sets, your katana, and your bows get access to one additional upgrade tier (often called the "Rank V" or "Mythic" upgrade). These upgrades typically double the stat bonuses of the previous level. Imagine your Gosaku's Armor with even more health and stagger damage. It's a game-changer.

3. A New Steed & Cosmetic Flair 🐎

Right from the opening cutscene of NG+, you'll be riding a brand-new horse: a majestic black horse with a vibrant red mane and tail, equipped with a matching red saddle. No need to visit a stable; this beauty is yours from the start.

4. The Gift of Time: Skip Cutscenes! ⏭️

One of the most requested features is finally here in NG+. You can skip almost all cutscenes by holding a button. The game even skips the initial invasion cinematic, dropping you right into the action. Perfect for players who want to focus purely on gameplay and combat in their second run.

5. Increased Difficulty & True Tests 🏆

The game balances your powerful starting state by increasing enemy damage output across all difficulty settings. Normal+ is harder than the original Normal. But the real test is Lethal+. This mode is for the elite. Enemies are hyper-aggressive, and mistakes are punished with instant death. This is where "broken" builds like the Sarugami Armor parry machine or the Tadayori's Armor headshot turret truly prove their worth.

Pro-Tips for Your NG+ Run in 2026 🧠

1. Spend All Resources Before Starting: We can't stress this enough. Upgrade everything you can. Turn all your Supplies, Silk, and Steel into permanent power.

2. Embrace the New Horse: That red-maned steed is not just for show. It's your companion for this new journey.

3. Farm Ghost Flowers Efficiently: Focus on completing Mythic Tales and major story missions first, as they reward the most Ghost Flowers. This lets you buy Baku's best charms early.

4. Experiment with Builds: With all skills unlocked, try wild new combinations. Mix charms from your first playthrough with Baku's new ones to create unstoppable (or hilariously challenging) builds.

5. Don't Sweat the 100% (Unless You Want To): If the collectible grind burned you out the first time, feel free to ignore it in NG+. Focus on the story, the new gear, and mastering combat on a higher difficulty.

Final Verdict

Ghost of Tsushima's New Game Plus is, hands down, one of the best implementations in modern gaming. It respects your time by letting you skip cutscenes, rewards your previous effort with powerful carry-overs, and adds meaningful new content (Baku, Ghost Flowers, new upgrades) that makes the second playthrough feel fresh and rewarding. Whether you're chasing the platinum trophy, want to experience the story again with all your powers, or are seeking the ultimate challenge in Lethal+, NG+ delivers. In 2026, it remains a testament to how a single-player game can offer immense replayability without live-service tricks. So, sharpen your katana, don your favorite armor, and prepare to write your legend one more time. The Ghost awaits.