Does Watch Dogs 2 Have New Game Plus? Best Ways to Replay

After spending dozens of hours hacking through the vibrant streets of San Francisco, many players find themselves asking: is there a watch dogs 2 new game plus mode? The desire to jump back into the shoes of Marcus Holloway while retaining all those hard-earned gadgets, research points, and stylish DedSec threads is a common sentiment among the community. Unfortunately, the official answer from Ubisoft has remained consistent since the game’s launch in 2016.

Despite the high demand for a watch dogs 2 new game plus feature, the game does not natively support a traditional NG+ mode where you can carry over your progression into a brand-new save file. This omission has led the community to develop their own creative solutions, ranging from sophisticated PC mods to clever manual workarounds for console players. Whether you are looking to relive the story with endgame abilities or simply want a fresh challenge, understanding your options is key to extending the life of this open-world classic.

Quick answer Officially, Watch Dogs 2 does not have a New Game Plus mode. Players cannot start a new campaign while keeping their skills and items through the in-game menu. However, PC players can use the "New Game Plus" mod by SlyCooperReloadCoded to simulate this experience, while console players must rely on replaying missions via the DedSec App.

The Reality of New Game Plus in Watch Dogs 2

When we talk about a "New Game Plus," we usually refer to a system seen in titles like Assassin’s Creed or God of War, where players restart the story with their existing inventory and skill tree. In the case of this title, Ubisoft opted for a "one-and-done" save structure. If you choose to start a "New Game" from the main menu, the game will warn you that your previous progress will be overwritten, and you will lose all your followers, research data, and money.

According to community reports and veteran player experiences, this lack of a native mode is one of the few criticisms aimed at the game’s longevity. While the world of San Francisco is dense and reactive, the inability to tackle early-game missions with late-game tools like the Quadcopter or Mass System Crash makes the initial hours feel restrictive for returning players.

Simulating Watch Dogs 2 New Game Plus via Mods

For those playing on PC via platforms like Steam, the modding community has stepped in to fill the void left by the developers. The most prominent solution is the "New Game Plus" mod created by SlyCooperReloadCoded. This mod is not just a simple save file; it is a comprehensive overhaul designed to simulate a watch dogs 2 new game plus experience by adjusting the game's economy, difficulty, and progression triggers.

The purpose of this mod is to provide a fresh start that feels like a continuation of Marcus's power. It removes the tedious "tutorial" feel of the early game and grants you immediate access to the tools you spent your first playthrough unlocking.

Key Features of the NG+ Mod

The mod introduces several "Quality of Life" changes that make a second playthrough significantly more engaging:

• Immediate Unlocks: After the initial "Follower Wall" conversation, you are granted $10,000,000, all clothing items (excluding specific Easter eggs), all vehicle paints, and all weapon skins.
• Gadget Access: Both the Jumper and the Quadcopter are available from the start, along with all Key Data already collected.
• Increased Difficulty: To compensate for your high-end gear, the mod cranks the difficulty higher than the "Realistic" setting. Silencers are less effective, and enemy AI is more punishing.
• Economy Overhaul: Prices for high-end vehicles and weapons are increased to keep the $10m from making the game trivial, while botnet costs for certain hacks like Vehicle Directional Hack are removed.

Installation Note To install the NG+ mod, extract the downloaded files into the data_win64 folder located in your Watch Dogs 2 installation directory. Always back up your original save files before installing any mods to prevent data loss.

Manual Workarounds for Console Players

If you are playing on PlayStation or Xbox, you cannot use Nexus Mods to achieve a watch dogs 2 new game plus experience. However, you can still "simulate" it through the game's built-in Mission Replay system.

While you cannot restart the entire narrative flow from the beginning with your gear, the DedSec App allows you to replay any "Main Operation" or "Side Operation" you have already completed. When you replay a mission this way, Marcus retains his current skills, weapons, and gadgets.

How to Replay Missions for a "Pseudo-NG+" Feel

1. Open your in-game smartphone.
2. Select the DedSec App.
3. Navigate to the Main Operations or Side Operations tab.
4. Select a completed mission and choose Replay.

The downside to this method is that the world remains in its "endgame" state. Side characters may have already moved on, and certain world-state changes (like the status of Blume or Prime_Eight) will reflect your completed save rather than the beginning of the story.

Enhancing Your Second Playthrough

Since a true watch dogs 2 new game plus isn't officially available, many players use their second run to experiment with different playstyles. The game is remarkably flexible, allowing for "Ghost," "Aggressor," or "Trickster" approaches.

Self-Imposed Challenges

To make a second run feel fresh without a dedicated NG+ mode, consider these community-favorite challenges:

• The "Zero Kills" Run: Complete the entire game using only the Stun Launcher, Wrench's Stun SMG, and non-lethal takedowns. This is surprisingly difficult during high-intensity missions like the infiltration of the FBI or Blume.
• The "Drone Only" Run: Try to complete every possible objective using only the Jumper and Quadcopter. Marcus should stay safely outside the restricted zone at all times.
• The "No Fast Travel" Run: The San Francisco map is one of Ubisoft's most detailed. By disabling fast travel (which the NG+ mod does automatically), you're forced to interact with the world, find hidden cash bags, and discover unique NPC interactions.

Detailed Comparison: Modded NG+ vs. Vanilla

If you are on the fence about using a mod to get your watch dogs 2 new game plus fix, here is a breakdown of how the modded experience differs from the standard game.

Community Insights and Player Experience

According to players on Reddit and GameFAQs, the lack of a watch dogs 2 new game plus is often cited as the reason they eventually stopped playing. One "player experience" report notes: "I love the world, but the thought of collecting all the Key Data again just to use the top-tier skills is exhausting."

This is why the modding community focuses heavily on the "Follower Wall" skip. In the standard game, you must earn followers to unlock research points. In the modded version, the game recognizes you've "been there, done that," and hands you the keys to the kingdom so you can focus on the sandbox fun.

Online Play Restrictions Using mods to simulate a New Game Plus will disable the game's EasyAntiCheat (EAC). This means you will not be able to participate in Bounty Hunter, Hacking Invasions, or Co-op missions while the mod is active. If you want to play online again, you must remove the mod files and re-verify your game cache.

Why Ubisoft Never Added New Game Plus

It is interesting to note that while Watch Dogs: Legion eventually received a New Game Plus mode, Watch Dogs 2 was left behind. Analysts suggest that the game's progression system, which is tied heavily to the "Follower" count (acting as XP), made a New Game Plus difficult to balance without breaking the narrative triggers. For example, several story beats are locked behind reaching specific follower milestones. A watch dogs 2 new game plus save with millions of followers would technically trigger every story beat simultaneously if not handled carefully by the engine.

The community-made mod solves this by simply skipping the triggers or automating the voice lines (like Marcus's dialogue when he already has Cyberdriver data), showing that while it was possible, it required more manual scripting than a simple "carry over items" toggle.

FAQ: Watch Dogs 2 New Game Plus

Can I start a New Game Plus on PS4 or PS5?

No, there is no official New Game Plus mode for any console version of Watch Dogs 2. You can only replay individual missions via the DedSec App or start a completely new save file which will delete your previous progress.

Does the Watch Dogs 2 New Game Plus mod work on the Steam Deck?

Yes, as long as you can access the game's file directory in Desktop Mode and place the mod files in the data_win64 folder. You will also need to add a launch command (-eac_launcher) in Steam to bypass the EasyAntiCheat.

Will I lose my DLC items if I start a new game?

No. Any DLC items, such as those from the T-Bone Content Bundle or the Root Access Bundle, are tied to your Ubisoft account. They will be available at any wardrobe or 3D printer shortly after you finish the intro mission in a new game.

Is there a way to have multiple save files?

Officially, the game only supports one save slot. However, on PC, you can manually go to your save folder (C:\Program Files (x86)\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher\savegames\...) and copy your save files to another folder to "save" your progress before starting a new game.

Does the NG+ mod include the Shuffler outfit?

Most NG+ mods grant you all standard clothing, but "Easter Egg" outfits like the Shuffler or the Gnome outfit usually require you to complete their specific hidden quests again, as they are tied to world-state triggers.

In conclusion, while the official watch dogs 2 new game plus remains a myth, the community's passion has ensured that there are ways to experience the game anew. Whether you choose the hardcore modded route on PC or the mission replay route on consoles, San Francisco is always worth another visit.