Written by: Luis Vox
Back Into the Chaos: NG+ Arrives
Several weeks ago, Apogee Entertainment and Trigger Happy Interactive announced a free DLC update for their brutally unforgiving game, Total Chaos. This New Game Plus (NG+) update promises to be even more punishing than the original, featuring revised locations, more enemies, and a new unkillable monster dubbed The Hunter. I got my hands on an early release, and boy, do I have some thoughts on this new mode.
Since this is an addition to the main game, I’m approaching it a little differently than most reviews. We’ll still cover story, atmosphere, gameplay, and graphics. Obviously, anything free comes with the best price point, but the key questions here are: is this new mode worth the time in an already crowded horror gaming space, and do the changes meaningfully impact the core gameplay? Short answer for both: FUCK YES!
WATCH THE TRAILER FOR TOTAL CHAOS: NG+ BELOW
Story: More Meat, But Still Starving
The story is probably the weakest area in this update. There are some additions, and while they’re noteworthy, they appear very late and aren’t as extensive as I would have hoped. Still, they complement the main story nicely and add some much-needed depth to the overall experience.
Atmosphere continues to shine through the waiting darkness, just like in the main game. This mode feels instantly unsettling and claustrophobic. If the original mode offered minimal hand-holding, this one offers none. It pulls you out of the frying pan and drops you into the boiling deep end—infested with sharks—while you’re bleeding profusely from every hole in your body.
Gameplay: Survival, Not Power Fantasy
Gameplay in NG+ is unlike any other mode I’ve played. This isn’t a mode where you carry over weapons and stats from a previous playthrough to plow through enemies like an overpowered chainsaw on steroids. It’s a fresh game. If you played the original, you know it was pure survival—no upgrades, no leveling. This time, the developers expect you to learn from past mistakes and apply that knowledge. The only issue? “Forward” means navigating a rusted mechanical iron maiden that’s closing in on you.
I love difficult games. I’m the type who takes pride in platinum trophies from FromSoftware titles. The more insurmountable a challenge, the more I want to bash my head against it. NG+ tests that resolve. I lost count of the times I died just trying to figure out objectives, let alone surviving combat. I kept my inventory weight down and learned from previous mistakes, but death still felt inevitable. Your mileage may vary depending on how much punishment you enjoy, but I’m proud to say I beat this mode—it feels like a real accomplishment.
Almost immediately, you face late-game enemies from the original, but tougher this time. They deal more damage, are smarter, and come in greater numbers. The difficulty spike is noticeable from the start. Think of this game as a puzzle that actively fights back. Their PR team hilariously instructed me to “Enjoy and Suffer,” and man… did I suffer.
The Hunter: Run or Die
The Hunter deserves his own spotlight. This guy is terrifying. Instantly imposing, he growls “SUFFER” when he sees you, then charges down corridors at breakneck speed, pummeling you to death. There’s absolutely no stopping or staggering him—running is your only option, and it better be fast. He closes the gap quicker than Kerry King shredding through Dittohead.
The locations maintain a familiar but unsettling vibe. Some areas look recognizable, only to lead you somewhere entirely different. Levels are slightly shorter and easier to navigate than before, but there’s still no map or waypoints. The drab color palette and lack of early light sources make getting lost—and dying—common. Later levels are more intricate, almost like puzzles themselves. This game can feel like the definition of insanity: repeating tactics over and over, hoping they’ll work this time. Sometimes they do. Other times, luck is the only thing that saves you.
Graphics: Sharper, Darker, Still Oppressive
Graphically, Trigger Happy Interactive improved textures and overall visual presentation. The color palette still leans dark, and navigation can be tricky, but the enhancements make a noticeable difference.
Final Verdict: Pain Never Felt So Good
Overall, NG+ is probably the most fun I’ve had being repeatedly killed in a game in a while. It adds enough to feel almost essential. If the main game is punishing, this mode borders on masochistic—but it also refreshes the experience, making it feel like two games in one. I give Total Chaos: New Game Plus 3.5 bloody pummels out of 5.
(Review copy provided by developer)
Total Chaos is out now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
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