Replay, routes & global progress

Checked on screen · Oct 14, 2026

0:48–1:00 · 12 sOpening a path’s Replay from Any Chapter

Spoiler clip · The Merge Causality preview · reveal

Checked on screen · Oct 14, 2026

0:55–1:48 · 53 sThe Merge Causality preview

Short answer: finish one hero’s Part I path, then start the next path from Chapter 1 to bring map and subquest progress with you; Chapters 2–12 load as they were saved. Once you reach Part III, combine a unit’s versions from different paths with Merge Causality. Source 63 ↗ Source 89 ↗ Source 87 ↗

There is no conventional New Game+ menu

The game uses Replay rather than a separate New Game+ label. After completing a Part I path, reported guides say you can select Replay from Any Chapter and load a chapter-start bookmark. Nintendo confirms that chapter-start saves are preserved for each protagonist and that players can revisit chapters, scenes and battles. Source 51 ↗ Source 63 ↗

What the replay model is good for

Reported carryover boundaries

The following is the current guide-reported model and should be checked against the installed version:

• Starting a replay from Chapter 1 carries map exploration and subquest completion forward.
• Support levels and Notable Deeds are global save progress.
• Replaying Part I Chapter 12 can update the party imported into that protagonist’s Part II.
• A clear save can reopen replay access across the campaign and adds extra Prologue scenes.
• Chapter bookmarks preserve the earlier state; later changes do not automatically rewrite every older bookmark.

Nintendo’s developer interview adds the broader design rule: characters developed differently across routes are merged later so earlier work is not discarded. That makes experimentation a feature, not a reason to restart the entire game. Source 51 ↗

Carry progress into another Part I path

1. Finish one hero’s Part I path through Chapter 12. Two guides agree that nothing is imported from a path you stopped partway through.
2. In the Obelisk Chamber, open the obelisk for the path you want to play and choose Replay from Any Chapter.
3. Pick Chapter 1. Starting there imports map exploration and completed subquests; support levels and Notable Deeds are global anyway.
4. Expect Chapters 2–12 to load exactly as their bookmarks were saved, with nothing imported.

One guide also reports that character levels, items and recruits do not follow you into another Part I path; Part II and Part III use each hero’s own party instead. Source 63 ↗ Source 89 ↗

Merge a unit’s versions in Part III (Merge Causality)

Nintendo’s developers say character development from different routes is merged later. VGC and two step-by-step guides place this at Part III. Source 51 ↗ Source 90 ↗

1. Recruit the unit on more than one Part I path, and complete those paths.
2. Reach Part III and recruit the unit again there.
3. Return to the Obelisk Chamber, interact with the Shrine of Causality and choose Merge Causality.
4. Pick the unit, then the other path’s version. Read every preview page: it shows each stat and skill rank before and after.
5. Confirm and pay the Karma Shards shown. Karma Shards also buy Boons of Salvation, so check the preview’s gains first.

The merge keeps the higher value of each stat rather than adding them, so a weaker version cannot lower a stat. Higher weapon and skill ranks, extra classes, mastered-class abilities and Combat Arts can also transfer. Source 87 ↗ Source 88 ↗

A safe campaign plan

1. Finish one Part I path before trying to optimize every other path.
2. Use a chapter bookmark for experiments, not your only ongoing save.
3. Keep a short record of recruits, classes, Paralogues and support targets.
4. Replay the final Part I chapter when you want to revise that hero’s imported party.
5. Start the next path knowing that the game is designed to preserve and combine progress.

This does not mean there is one best route order. The official guidance says players can focus on one protagonist or progress several in parallel. Use Parallel paths & the Pale Raven for the story structure and Paralogues & deadline quests for optional content that still has an in-run calendar window.