It's just going a different direction when in crossing the desert, you suddenly enter a part of it where the enemies are waaaay overleveled. Go back to Strahta and try to get to Oul Raye or whichever way it is through the desert. There's a save point just as you enter it so if you get shafted it's recoverable.
I'd have a look at what titles I'm missing out on and if there's any way to make them happen. I wouldn't mind trying to fight as a different character, but I've tried with Hubert and Malik and found their styles not to my liking.
One game I wouldn't mind doing a NG+ is Xenoblade Chronicles, because it's kept me at my previous high level and now the concept of the lazy battle system is paying off and I can glide through earlier sections.