New Game+

Begin your New Game+ journey in Islands of Insight. Master enhanced puzzles, find exclusive rewards, and revisit Aethel's landscapes with new challenges and st.

Welcome, seasoned Seeker! New Game+ in Islands of Insight offers a fresh perspective on the familiar, allowing you to revisit the breathtaking landscapes with enhanced challenges, exclusive rewards, and a chance to truly master the art of puzzle-solving. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the most of your subsequent journeys.

Initiating New Game+

Once you have completed the main storyline and witnessed the final cinematic, the option to begin a New Game+ will become available. This can be accessed from the Main Menu under the "Start New Game" option, where a new prompt, "Begin New Game+," will appear. Selecting this will present you with a series of customization choices that will define your next adventure.

• Retain Progress: You will keep all collected Insight Shards, unlocked Augmentors, and any E99 Vials you've accumulated. Your character's current Heartiness and Stamina levels will also carry over.
• Reset Puzzles: All puzzles across all islands will be reset to their initial, unsolved state. This includes Class 4 Administrative Zones and Katz Box Locations.
• Difficulty Modifiers: New Game+ introduces several optional difficulty modifiers. These can be toggled on or off individually:
  • "Mother My Brain Hurts" Mode: Significantly increases the complexity of all logic and environmental puzzles. Expect fewer obvious clues and more intricate solutions.
  • "Phase Ticks Keep Killing Me" Mode: Introduces more aggressive environmental hazards and increases the frequency of Phase Tick encounters in designated areas. Equipping defensive Armor Augmentors is highly recommended.
  • "That Wheel" Challenge: Activates a timed element for certain puzzle types, requiring faster execution.

Exclusive New Game+ Content

Beyond the increased challenge, New Game+ offers unique rewards and experiences not found in your initial playthrough.

The Grade Shop

Upon starting New Game+, you'll gain access to the Grade Shop located at the Sky Flying Tree hub. This shop allows you to spend "Grade Points" earned from completing puzzles and challenges in your previous playthrough. Available upgrades include:

• Enhanced Movement: Unlock the Iron Lung perk, granting increased stamina regeneration.
• Bonus Insight Shards: Purchase a multiplier for Insight Shard drops from puzzles.
• Cosmetic Overrides: Access unique character customization options and companion skins.
• "The Secret Notebook" Clues: For a high Grade Point cost, you can unlock additional hints for the most challenging puzzles in "Mother My Brain Hurts" mode.

New Sidequests and Collectibles

Several new sidequests and collectibles become available exclusively in New Game+:

• The Devil's Arms: A series of seven incredibly difficult environmental puzzles, each guarding a piece of the legendary Devil's Arms cosmetic set. These are scattered across the following locations:
  • Weapon 1: Hidden within the Worker's District, requiring mastery of platforming puzzles.
  • Weapon 2: Located in the Feather Fountain area, accessible only after solving a complex water flow puzzle.
  • Weapon 3: Found in the Wind Rock region, requiring the use of advanced wind current manipulation.
• "Uncle" Encounters: A mysterious NPC known as "Uncle" will appear in various locations, offering cryptic riddles that lead to hidden Bio Formulas for new Augmentors. His first appearance is typically near the Ryu Namazu Donkil statue.
• Pink Pearl Ring Quest: Initiate this quest by speaking to Clara's final appearance in the Katz Village skit theatre. This multi-stage quest involves solving a series of observational puzzles across different islands, culminating in the acquisition of the Pink Pearl Ring, a unique cosmetic item.
• Code Red Hunt Locations (Tier 2): New, more challenging Code Red Hunt Locations will appear, offering rare Blueprint drops for advanced Augmentor upgrades. Look for these in the newly accessible areas of the Dream of the Predecessor Year zone.

Strategies for Success

New Game+ demands a refined approach to puzzle-solving and exploration. Here are some key strategies:

• Prioritize Augmentor Upgrades: Utilize your carried-over Insight Shards and E99 Vials to immediately upgrade your most useful Augmentors. Focus on those that enhance movement, provide defensive capabilities against environmental hazards, or offer puzzle-solving assistance. The Energetic Augmentor is particularly useful for tackling timed challenges.
• Master the TMD: The TMD Equipment Information is crucial. Practice your TMD abilities, especially if you've enabled "That Wheel" Challenge. Precision and speed are key.
• Explore Thoroughly: Even familiar areas may hide new secrets or puzzle variations in New Game+. Pay close attention to environmental details and revisit locations you might have rushed through previously. The Orienteering sidequest from your first playthrough can be a good refresher for navigation.
• Consult the Guide: If you find yourself stuck on a particularly difficult "Mother My Brain Hurts" puzzle, don't hesitate to consult the Walkthrough Resources or even specific sections like "I can't find the Blueprint/Bio Formula" if you're struggling with new item locations.
• Experiment with Perks: The Grade Shop perks can significantly alter your gameplay experience. Experiment with different combinations to find what best suits your playstyle and the chosen difficulty modifiers.