New World: Aeternum will right the ship for Amazon’s MMO

New World: Aeternum will right the ship for Amazon's MMO

As a seasoned MMO enthusiast with countless hours logged into various titles, I can confidently say that New World: Aeternum has piqued my interest like no other relaunch in recent memory. Having had the privilege of getting hands-on with this reimagined gem at Amazon Games HQ in sunny Irvine, California, I was immediately struck by the refreshing changes they’ve made to the original game that left many players feeling like they were drowning in a sea of grind.


Amazon Games aims to tackle longstanding problems and alter perceptions with the launch of New World: Aeternum, a fresh take on their 2021 MMO. This revamped version adopts a novel approach, shifting focus away from obligatory multiplayer collaboration and minimizing the tedium that made the original game feel like a burdensome task. I was fortunate enough to test it out personally at Amazon Games headquarters in Irvine, California.

During my visit, it was clear that the innovators behind New World: Aeternum are focused on shortening the journey for players to access the game’s advanced and exciting endgame content. In the previous version of New World, it took approximately 165 hours to reach the level that unlocked the MMO’s toughest and most rewarding content. However, in New World: Aeternum, this time has been significantly reduced, now taking only about a third as long, making it easier for players to quickly access and enjoy the content they are interested in.

New World: Aeternum will right the ship for Amazon's MMO

In the revamped version of New World, titled New World: Aeternum, they’ve done away with the obligatory multiplayer sections that some players found problematic in the original game. This means you can play the entire storyline on your own, without needing a group. This shift in approach is why Amazon Games is marketing this relaunch as an “action RPG” rather than an “MMO.

Absolutely, the realm of Aeternum remains populated by other players whom you may encounter spontaneously. You can join forces with them to combat enemies or finish tasks if you choose, but these collaborations are intended to occur naturally, based on your preferences rather than as a requirement.

In the game New World: Aeternum, the map has been refreshed with new attractions and enlarged areas. There’s a significant part of this world set aside for player-versus-player (PvP) battles, and you will be marked for PvP engagement as soon as you enter these zones. These spots are brimming with tougher adversaries and valuable treasures, but death means losing the items you’ve gathered.

New World: Aeternum will right the ship for Amazon's MMO

In this setup, the gameplay encourages a tug-of-war scenario: players need to juggle gathering wealth and ensuring their survival. I often found myself in conflicts with other players while trying to flee the player versus player zones.

As for teaming up with fellow gamers in New World: Aeternum, a significant portion of my gaming hours was spent on raids. My squad, made up of ten players divided into two teams, took on challenging foes and intricate puzzles to get to the bosses.

In New World, it’s crucial to work together as a team to successfully complete a raid. I soon found out this was essential. We strategized our tactics for every encounter, allowing our tank to take charge and attract enemies’ attention, while ranged DPS characters delivered attacks from afar. At one point, we had to maneuver through a labyrinth, avoiding the lethal gaze of serpent-like gorgons that could instantly kill us.

New World: Aeternum will right the ship for Amazon's MMO

Our final confrontation was against Typhon, a beast resembling a wolf, who controlled the battlefield by setting up hazards. Among his skills were marking players’ locations for spikes to erupt beneath them and charging attacks that we countered by guiding him towards massive pillars in the arena. We engaged in this raid for approximately an hour but unfortunately, we didn’t manage to conquer it. However, it offered a glimpse into what lies ahead in New World: Aeternum’s toughest content.

In my 2021 appraisal of New World, I was captivated by the solid groundwork laid by Amazon Games, yet recognized ample opportunities for enhancements. It appears that New World: Aeternum is aiming to rectify usual fan criticisms and design an experience that’s more inviting for casual gamers.

As someone eagerly awaiting its release, I’ve had the privilege of trying out a pre-build of Amazon Games’ upcoming title, New World: Aeternum. Mark your calendars for October 15, 2024, as this captivating adventure will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S!

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2024-09-23 19:57