Okami New Game Plus: What Items & Upgrades Carry Over?

Nov 3, 2025 by Admin 55 views

So, you've wrapped up the epic adventure that is Okami, huh? You've painted your way through Nippon, banished evil, and probably shed a tear or two (no shame, we've all been there). But wait, the journey doesn't have to end! Okami's New Game Plus mode offers a fantastic way to relive the magic, but with a twist. The big question on everyone's mind is: what exactly carries over? Fear not, fellow celestial brush wielders, because we're diving deep into the specifics of Okami's New Game Plus, so you know exactly what to expect when you embark on your second playthrough.

Understanding New Game Plus in Okami

Okami's New Game Plus mode isn't just a simple restart; it's an opportunity to experience the game with a significant head start. This mode allows you to retain much of your progress from your previous playthrough, making the early stages of the game a breeze and letting you focus on other aspects, like collecting those pesky Stray Beads or mastering combat techniques. Think of it as a victory lap, but one where you can still uncover new secrets and challenges. Now, before you jump back in, let's talk nitty-gritty.

The beauty of New Game Plus lies in the ability to experience the narrative again, but this time with the advantage of your accumulated power and items. This can lead to a vastly different gameplay experience, allowing you to tackle challenges with a confidence you might not have had the first time around. It also opens up opportunities to explore areas you might have missed or to experiment with different combat strategies, knowing you have a safety net of upgraded abilities and equipment. The core gameplay loop remains as engaging as ever, but New Game Plus adds a layer of replayability that extends the life of this already fantastic game. So, let's break down exactly what you get to keep, shall we?

The Treasures You Keep: What Carries Over

Alright, let's get to the good stuff! Here's a breakdown of what makes the jump with you into New Game Plus:

Stray Beads: These little collectibles are a completionist's dream (or nightmare!), and thankfully, all the Stray Beads you've collected will be waiting for you in your next adventure. This is huge, as collecting all 100 Stray Beads unlocks a special item. It saves you from having to scour every nook and cranny all over again, and you can continue your hunt from where you left off, bringing you closer to that sweet, sweet reward.
Techniques: All those combat techniques you painstakingly purchased and mastered? They're yours to keep! This means you can unleash devastating combos and special moves right from the get-go, making you a formidable force to be reckoned with. No more struggling with basic enemies – you'll be slicing and dicing like a true pro from the very beginning. This significantly alters the early game experience, allowing you to focus on the story and exploration without the initial combat hurdles.
Godhood Stats: Remember all those Praises you diligently collected and spent on upgrading your Ink Pots, health, and Astral Pouch? Good news – all those stat boosts carry over! You'll be a much stronger and more resilient Amaterasu from the start, ready to take on whatever challenges await. This is a massive advantage, especially when facing some of the game's tougher bosses. Having those extra health or ink pots can make all the difference in a tight situation.
Bestiary Entries: Your hard-earned knowledge of enemies, gleaned from countless battles, is preserved in your Bestiary. This is a nice touch for lore enthusiasts and completionists who enjoy having a comprehensive record of their journey. While it doesn't directly impact gameplay, it's a satisfying reminder of your previous accomplishments and the foes you've overcome.
Divine Instrument Upgrades: Did you invest in upgrading your Rosaries, Reflectors, and Glaives? Well, those upgrades are sticking with you! This gives you a significant edge in combat, allowing you to equip powerful weapons from the beginning. Imagine starting your new game with a fully upgraded Tsumugari – talk about feeling like a god! These upgrades can drastically change how you approach combat encounters, giving you more options and strategies to employ.

Essentially, you're stepping into New Game Plus as a powered-up version of Amaterasu, ready to paint the world anew with your enhanced abilities. This makes the initial stages of the game significantly easier, allowing you to focus on experiencing the story and discovering any secrets you might have missed the first time around. The feeling of wielding such power right from the start is incredibly satisfying and adds a fresh layer to the Okami experience.

The Treasures Left Behind: What Doesn't Carry Over

Now, before you get too carried away with your newfound power, it's important to know what doesn't make the jump to New Game Plus. This is crucial for managing your expectations and planning your playthrough.

Story Progression: This one's a given, but it's worth mentioning. You'll be starting the story from the very beginning, meaning you'll have to replay all the main quests and events. This is the core of the New Game Plus experience – reliving the narrative with your enhanced abilities. While the story progression resets, the memories and knowledge you've gained from your previous playthrough remain, allowing you to appreciate the nuances and details you might have missed the first time.
Key Items: Any key items essential for story progression, such as the Celestial Brush techniques or specific quest items, will be reset. This ensures that you still experience the core gameplay loop of acquiring these abilities and items throughout the story. Think of it as a way to re-earn your powers, even though you already know how to use them. It adds a sense of progression and accomplishment, even with your boosted stats and equipment.
Money (Yen): Your hard-earned Yen won't be making the trip to New Game Plus. You'll start with a clean slate financially, which means you'll need to earn your money again to purchase items and upgrades. This adds a bit of challenge and encourages you to engage with the game's economy. However, with your upgraded equipment and combat techniques, earning Yen should be significantly easier than your first playthrough.
Inventory Items: Consumables like healing items and other temporary buffs won't carry over. You'll start with an empty inventory, forcing you to replenish your supplies as you progress. This adds a layer of resource management to the gameplay, even with your boosted stats. It also encourages you to explore and scavenge for items, ensuring you're not relying solely on your inherent power.

While it might seem disappointing that some things don't carry over, these limitations are in place to maintain a sense of balance and progression in New Game Plus. If everything carried over, the game would become too easy and lose its challenge. By resetting key story elements and resources, Okami ensures that each playthrough remains engaging and rewarding.

Why Bother with New Game Plus?

Okay, so you know what carries over and what doesn't, but you might be wondering: why even bother with New Game Plus in the first place? What's the point of replaying the game if you're just going through the same story?

There are actually several compelling reasons to jump back into Okami with New Game Plus:

Experience the Story Anew: With your enhanced abilities and equipment, you can focus more on the narrative and the characters without getting bogged down by challenging combat encounters. You can truly savor the story's emotional moments and appreciate the intricate world-building. Plus, knowing the plot twists and turns allows you to notice subtle details and foreshadowing you might have missed the first time.
Collect Everything: New Game Plus is the perfect opportunity to become a completionist! You can focus on finding all the Stray Beads, completing the Bestiary, and maxing out your stats. With the initial difficulty curve flattened by your carried-over progress, you can dedicate more time to exploring every nook and cranny of Nippon and uncovering its hidden secrets.
Challenge Yourself: Even with your boosted stats, Okami still offers plenty of challenge, especially if you decide to tackle the optional side quests and bosses. New Game Plus allows you to fine-tune your combat skills and experiment with different strategies, pushing your abilities to the limit. You can also try playing on a higher difficulty setting for an even greater challenge.
Unlock the Secret Ending: This is a big one! By completing certain tasks in New Game Plus, you can unlock a secret ending that provides a satisfying conclusion to Amaterasu's journey. This alone is a huge incentive for many players to dive back into the game.
Simply Because It's Fun: Let's be honest, Okami is a fantastic game, and sometimes you just want to experience it again! New Game Plus offers a fresh perspective on the gameplay, allowing you to appreciate the game in a new light. It's a chance to relive the magic and connect with the world and characters all over again.

Tips for Your Okami New Game Plus Adventure

Ready to embark on your New Game Plus journey? Here are a few tips to help you make the most of it:

Prioritize Stray Beads: Since Stray Beads carry over, focus on collecting any you missed in your first playthrough. The reward for collecting all 100 is well worth the effort.
Experiment with Combat: With all your techniques unlocked from the start, try out different combos and combat strategies. You might discover new ways to defeat enemies or bosses.
Explore Every Corner: Take your time and explore every area thoroughly. You might find hidden items, secrets, or even new quests.
Save Your Money: Since Yen doesn't carry over, be mindful of your spending. Focus on purchasing essential items and upgrades.
Enjoy the Ride: Most importantly, relax and have fun! New Game Plus is a chance to relive a beloved game in a new and exciting way.

Final Thoughts: Okami New Game Plus – A Worthy Second Quest

Okami's New Game Plus mode is more than just a simple replay; it's an enhanced experience that allows you to revisit a beloved world with a fresh perspective. By carrying over your hard-earned stats, techniques, and Stray Beads, the game empowers you to explore the story and challenges in new and exciting ways. Whether you're a completionist aiming to unlock every secret, a story enthusiast eager to relive the narrative, or simply a fan of Okami wanting to experience the magic again, New Game Plus offers a compelling reason to pick up the celestial brush once more. So, go forth, brave traveler, and paint the world anew! You've earned it. Now go get that secret ending, guys! You won't regret it. And if you find yourself struggling, remember, a little bit of celestial brush magic goes a long way. Happy painting! What are you waiting for? Go jump back into the vibrant world of Nippon and experience Okami like never before!