Choose a regular new game for early progression, New Game Plus for a replay using an eligible established character, or continue your old save to resume unfinished tasks. Remastered's official FAQ supports existing saves, with a skill reset. Starting over is a preference, not a stated requirement for the upgrade.
Choose by what you want to repeat
| Your goal | Best-fitting route | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Relearn early equipment and level progression | Regular new game | You rebuild instead of beginning with your established character. |
| Replay the story with an eligible developed character | New Game Plus | Requires a completed regular-story save; do not assume every collectible or quest flag transfers. |
| Finish remaining quests on an existing run | Continue the compatible save | Rebuild reset skills and retain that run's prior decisions. |
The October 4 Steam question compares a level-60-plus character with starting from scratch. The reply favors fresh progression; it is one preference, not evidence that either route is universally harder or shows better graphics.
Prepare the chosen character safely
- Keep a separate copy or manual slot for your old campaign.
- For NG+, confirm the source save completed the main story and is not already NG+.
- Use the NG+ eligibility checklist if the option is absent.
- After loading or starting, review the character screen and rebuild reset skills before testing combat.
A corrupted or missing cloud file is not resolved by choosing a game mode. Settle the save transfer first if you cannot access the intended character.
Check the cosmetic tradeoff
If early outfits are the concern, read the normal Reforge craftsmen and unlock route. The thread mentions a mod to unlock it earlier, but this guide has not verified that mod's current build or console availability. Do not choose a platform-specific mod route on the strength of a preference reply alone.
Confirm the loaded character and keep new slots distinct. Existing-save compatibility does not promise reverse compatibility with older releases, a second NG+ from an NG+ file, or identical balance across editions.
Sources and version limits
- Steam: NG+ or fresh start to enjoy Remastered? — October 4; OP and reply #1 are demand and preference evidence, not a current mod certification.
- CDPR: Remastered save compatibility — Existing saves supported; skills reset.
- CDPR: New Game Plus eligibility — Legacy completion and save-type requirements; not an item-by-item 5.x transfer table.
Sources checked October 6, 2026. These are attributed reports and route instructions, not our own test of your hardware or save. A reported workaround does not establish a permanent fix.