As someone who has been adventuring through Aeternum since its initial release, I must say that New World: Aeternum feels like a familiar yet refreshing return to my beloved world. The shift towards an action RPG with a solo-friendly approach is both intriguing and slightly disconcerting – it’s as if my old MMO buddy decided to go off on its own, leaving me to explore the world alone but with more freedom than ever before.
Three years following the debut of New World, Amazon Games has reintroduced this MMO with substantial modifications. Now titled “New World: Aeternum,” the game is moving away from its traditional MMO aspects and aiming to carve out a niche as an action RPG that can be enjoyed cooperatively with other players. It’s enjoyable, but it’s challenging not to sense that New World might have reached its potential ceiling.
New philosophy
In the revised version of New World: Aeternum, numerous adjustments focus on common aspects of MMO games. Whereas collaboration was essential for some storylines in the initial version, players now have the option to complete the entire campaign independently. Moreover, developers have noticeably cut down the journey to the endgame, enabling players to encounter and engage with the game’s toughest (and most lucrative) content sooner.
These alterations suit me well, especially as a solo player in MMOs, since I don’t have to work with random gamers for main quests. However, it seems like these adjustments stem from a sense of remorse, almost as if New World is an MMO that has second thoughts about being an MMO and is moving away from traditional MMO features.
The updated version of “The New World” includes a console debut, making the MMO available on Xbox and PlayStation for the first time. Crossplay is activated at launch, with certain servers allowing or disallowing it. This feature is smoothly implemented and greatly beneficial to the game’s long-term vitality.
For those embarking on their initial journey in the New World or returning after a long hiatus, there’s an option to join a Fresh Start server. This means you’ll avoid encountering players who have been consistently playing since its launch, which was three years ago.
Keep freestyling
In New World: Aeternum, one of its standout features is the flexible character development system, which has always been a key selling point for this game. This version introduces some fresh weaponry and equipment options. I appreciate the liberty to invest skill points in any exciting new weapon that I acquire, and the ability to modify my build without cost (until level 60) if I decide to switch things up. This feature significantly reduces the pressure often associated with MMOs.
In the game New World, Aeternum’s 10-player raids are one of its latest expansions, and they represent some of the most challenging endgame content. These encounters require a great deal of teamwork and strategic planning to conquer. Often, you may need to reallocate your Skill Points to suit your raid group effectively.
Raid activities in New World: Aeternum are definitely one of the most enjoyable elements, offering a captivating mix of combat and problem-solving. I found the boss battles particularly thrilling, as my team and I had to quickly identify attack sequences and adapt our tactics accordingly.
The main downside to raids, though, is that during boss fights, death becomes permanent. If you’re fully killed mid-fight, you have to sit on the sidelines for the remainder of the fight. The real kicker is that you’re placed behind a barrier that obscures most of the action, so you can’t even spectate properly. It’s a bit frustrating given how long these battles can last, and I imagine most players will just quit entirely after they go down.
For individuals seeking a more solitary gameplay experience, New World: Aeternum offers Solo Trials, which are tough missions specifically designed for one player. Imagine them as single-player raids, filled with intricate puzzles, hurdles, and a formidable adversary. I found these new mid and late-game challenges enjoyable to play on my own, but they didn’t reach the same level of excitement as the 10-player raids for me. This might be due to the fact that in a raid, there’s usually someone to compensate for any weaknesses you may have. If you dive into a Solo Trial with gear or weapons not suited for the enemy, it can become a bit challenging. However, as previously stated, you can always return and adjust your equipment.
To wrap up, the map in New World: Aeternum has been revised to include expansive Player vs Player (PvP) regions. Once you step foot into a PvP zone, anything goes! These zones are rich with valuable treasures, especially when you delve deeper within them. However, since any player can attack you at any time, consider the risk of losing what you have before making your move. Sometimes, intense battles may erupt among numerous players. As an archer, I found immense joy in peppering both sides of a skirmish with long-range attacks while they were engaged in melee combat.
A reintroduction
Regarding the technical aspects, New World: Aeternum has significantly improved upon some of the problems I pointed out in my initial review of the base game. The performance on my PC is now seamless and smooth, even in ultrawide mode. Although, it’s understandable that the frame rate dips in crowded areas, which is common in games like this one.
Contrarily, I wasn’t as eager to delve into global discoveries this go-round. Maybe it’s because I’ve already traversed much of it, and the thrill of entering an entirely fresh realm has faded away. However, Aeternum seems less captivating now. The colonial style is commendable in its town planning, but the spaces between these towns appear dull and unexciting.
What to make of this world
I found New World: Aeternum satisfying as an action RPG with leisurely character development and tough content, but I never felt compelled to stay and rack up countless hours. It seems like this was designed intentionally, with a faster path to the endgame and modifications to the campaign. The game now appears more complete than it did three years ago and has evolved into an excellent online game that I can play in brief sessions when I have the urge for MMO gaming.
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2024-10-30 00:57