The Carcass New Game Plus Guide
The carcass remembers your victories—carry them into the next colony inside the god.
New Game Plus in The Carcass is not a cosmetic replay mode. The dead god remembers prior runs—choices, warriors, betrayals, and endings shape what carries forward. Combined with five difficulty tiers (Merciful through Extinction) and optional Ironman (one save, no second chances), NG+ is how completionists chase four secret endings without grinding blindly.
What carries forward
Official copy: New Game Plus carries your victories. Practically expect:
- Memory flags from major endings achieved
- Unlock shortcuts in research or diplomacy for subsequent runs (exact bonuses vary by ending path)
- Altered event dialogue referencing past actions
- Not full stockpiles—biomass and buildings reset each run
Treat NG+ as narrative and mechanical continuity, not a cheat save import.
Difficulty levels
| Tier | Audience |
|---|---|
| Merciful | Learning Pulses and harvest menus |
| Normal | Standard first full playthrough |
| Hard | Tighter margins, sharper events |
| Brutal | Multi-system pressure |
| Extinction | Maximum attrition; endgame flex |
Compare details in difficulty tier list. Ironman stacks on top—choose only when Pulse system is second nature.
Ironman rules
Steam lists Ironman as one save, no reload scumming. Colony failure is permanent. Recommended prep:
- Complete a Normal run with any main ending.
- Read endings guide for flags you want.
- Bookmark command lookup and controls.
- Enable accessibility options before starting (terminal settings).
NG+ routing strategy
Run 1: Symbiosis or Escape on Normal—learn economy and diplomacy.
Run 2: Dominion or Awakening with NG+ memory—combat or neuron focus.
Run 3+: Target secret endings with documented event choices from prior journals.
Cross mutations tier list each run—NG+ may alter availability or cost.
Permadeath vs saves
Non-Ironman modes support save-anytime per Steam features. Use saves to learn secret triggers, then commit on Ironman for prestige.
Citizen permadeath still applies within a run—losing legendary leaders hurts across Pulses even if you reload on Normal.
Awareness and NG+
Awakening/Transcendence endings in first runs change late-game event pools in NG+. If dialogue references prior ascensions, switch research plans accordingly.
Demo vs full NG+
Demo does not include full NG+ chain. Purchase full release for memory meta and secret completion.
Patch interaction
The 2.0 update rewrote consequence text and Pulse clarity—old NG+ notes from early demos may be outdated. Read patch notes before returning after break.
NG+ is the carcass asking if you want to try again—with history attached.
Carry planning
Finish one main ending before Ironman Extinction. Memory flags matter more than perfect stockpiles entering NG+.
Deep dive: NG+ and Ironman
NG+ carries victories and memory, not stockpiles. Difficulty tiers stack with Ironman for ultimate challenge. Merciful teaches; Extinction tests.
Save anytime on non-Ironman—use saves to learn secret triggers, then commit Ironman. Citizen permadeath still applies within runs.
Awakening first runs change dialogue in NG+. Adjust research when text references prior ascensions.
Closing tips for veterans
Clear Normal once before Extinction Ironman. NG+ memory beats perfect stockpiles.
Player notes on New Game Plus
Veterans recommend revisiting this topic after the 2.0 patch because Pulse labels and harvest menus changed beginner muscle memory. Pair this page with the guides hub when planning multi-run completion. Ironman players should read related controls pages before committing single-save attempts. Document event choices with Pulse numbers when chasing secret endings or NG+ memory flags. Trade reliance fails after betrayal—internal Nutrient Vats remain the reliable backbone on Normal and Hard. Extinction difficulty punishes sloppy turn reports; scan biomass every Pulse without exception. Large populations above five hundred citizens require recommended PC specs listed on release info.
Closing tips for veterans
finish Normal once before Extinction Ironman. NG+ memory beats stockpiles. Difficulty and Ironman stack—respect both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Does NG+ unlock immediately after any ending?
After completing a main run per standard roguelike progression—first finish the story once.
Can Ironman characters migrate to Normal?
No mode crossover—Ironman is a separate commitment on its save.
Fastest NG+ loop for secrets?
Merciful with prior Awakening memory and documented event checklist.