returning player, NG+ compared to NG in 2026, high-level characters, matchmaking, etc.

I haven't played since November 2023. When I stopped playing I ha 100% of the original trophies with about 200 hours of play, have at least seven characters in my save file covering most of the original classes, including one Orian Preacher that is level 374; I can only imagine that was a glitch or "cheat" due to what seemed like constant nerfs and fixes back then and somehow I didn't get it reverted from my cloud save. Still, I remember very little of the game, which is why I thought it was time to revisit it.

I don't want to have to farm endlessly like I remember doing previously and would prefer to do more co-op. If they have nerfed the game to death then I don't mind doing an OP NG run, otherwise it would probably be nice to use one of the earlier characters as long as NG+ will be more like a victory lap than a struggle all the way. I'm more interested in exploring again and the game mechanics and helping others out as I get each area down again.

So, feedback on NG+ or the current state of NG compared to 2023 would be appreciated. I'll end up starting an NG, just to get a feel for the game, tutorials, first boss or two, etc. before doing NG+.

I case anyone was wondering about the level 374 Orian Preacher it has 99 vitality, radiance, and inferno, but only 30 strength and agility. When I loaded up the character it had the Lost Berescu's Catalyst +10, Rosamund's Sword +10, Heavy Memento +5. I'm guessing I was doing a lot of magic and healing in co-op, though matchmaking wouldn't have picked up such a high level character unless nobody else was in the queue.