Just understand first off that there will be a lot of overlap, individual examples probably count as all of them, although the tropes themselves are distinct ideas.
- Soft Reboot: Redesigning the entire work such that you are effectively creating a new continuity and tone going forward, typically resulting in ignoring (or even overwriting) its history. The premise is that it is functionally a Continuity Reboot but still retaining existing actors, sets, etc.
- Retool: Any significant change ranging from individual characterization to broad story/setting and accompanying style. Especially notable when it comes to changing the focus on certain characters (going from having a clear lead to more of an ensemble) or utilizing a Genre Shift.
- Retcon: Deliberate changes to information previously established. This generally doesn't have any impact on the style/tone of the work, but is done to facilitate the current story.
The big difference between Reboot and Soft Reboot is Soft Reboot is the original still happened in the continuity just the new series is removed from that and sets about doing much the same thing. Think Mass Effect Andromeda, set an entire galaxy away from Mass Effect but the story is basically the same notes but different cast.
So Soft Reboot is the canon version of Elsewhere Fic?
We can never truly eradicate the coronavirus, but we can suppress its threat like influenza
Elsewhere or elsewhen yeah.
Soft Reboot can cover a number of different premises, it varies between introducing a new cast in a new setting as a type of Spin-Off, a Close-Enough Timeline with the same cast of characters, to an acknowledged Cosmic Retcon.
At its' core it is about a reset rather than starting from scratch.
What are the major differences between a Soft Reboot, Retool and a Retcon?
Is a Soft Reboot a more specific form of a Retool or Retcon?
I wanted to make sure before I add this to any pages!
There isn't anything in the trope distinctions pages, so I was going to check before I added it there.