Some games come with great expectations, and sometimes they fall short. Others suffer from rocky beginnings but manage to find their stride. New World: Aeternum is a bit of both. It launched with high hopes on PC, faced numerous challenges, and has now found a second wind with its console release. Let’s dive into the console version of this ambitious MMORPG.
A New Beginning
New World: Aeternum is Amazon Games Studios’ attempt to carve out a space in the MMORPG genre, now rephrased by AGS as an Action RPG to draw in the console crowd. Its initial PC release was marred by significant bugs and numerous unfinished elements that left players frustrated. The change in phrasing notably upset the PC community, as many felt that the game was, at its core, still a true MMORPG. Nevertheless, the console version brings in some much-needed polish, and both console and PC players alike are finding plenty to love about the game. Additionally, AGS have upped their game with a fresh update—to fix bugs and introduce new content—being rolled out just a week after the game’s official release.
Immersive & Charming
New World: Aeternum shines in its world-building. The environment is not just massive but also beautifully rendered. It’s reminiscent of Red Dead Redemption 2 in that it easily draws players into its immersive scenery. Each moment in the game feels crafted to show off a stunning visual—whether it’s a lush forest, a seaside cliff, or a small village tucked into the hills.
One of New World: Aeternum’s strongest aspects is the bottomless gathering and crafting system. Players can easily spend hours just exploring the world, hunting for resources, and progressing through different skills like smithing, cooking, and smelting. Crafting in New World: Aeternum is robust, rewarding, and truly makes the world feel alive—and it’s easy to get lost in it without even touching the PvP or PvE modes.
The narrative is also a highlight, featuring well-written characters that help to enrich the story. The Scandinavian-inspired Fallen King Aelstrom and the pirate Grace O’Malley are just some fascinating side characters that make the lore engaging. Each character’s quirks add depth, making the world of Aeternum feel vibrant and filled with life.
A Work in Progress
Combat in New World: Aeternum, however, is a mixed bag. Initially, the system can feel stiff, especially if you’re more accustomed to fluid AAA action titles like God of War and Stellar Blade. Combat becomes more enjoyable once you unlock new abilities and experiment with different playstyles. The ability to re-spec without penalties gives you the freedom to find what works for you, which is a big plus.
“New World: Aeternum immerses players in a beautifully crafted environment where exploration and crafting shine, even as combat stumbles.”
Movement, particularly during combat, still feels like it could use some work. Issues like camera shudders and non-responsive blocks & dodges can take away from the experience. In some encounters, such as a battle against higher-level enemies, it’s easy to find yourself losing simply because your character fails to move properly. While these are minor issues, they do detract from the overall fluidity of the game. Addressing these concerns through patches would greatly enhance the gameplay. To sum it up, New World: Aeternum immerses players in a beautifully crafted environment where exploration and crafting shine, even as combat stumbles.
Lack of Enemy Variety
The enemy design in New World: Aeternum could also use more variety. The forces of corruption make up the bulk of your foes, with only the animals that roam the island of Aeternum offering that bit of much-desired flavor. The lack of diversity in enemies within the open world can make exploration feel repetitive at certain points. On the plus side, PvP remains an option for those who crave more dynamic encounters. While I haven’t yet delved into PvP myself, the community’s enthusiasm on platforms like Reddit suggests that it’s a highly enjoyable aspect of the game.
The Bigger Picture: MMOs on Console
Amazon Games Studios has taken on the ambitious task of bringing an MMORPG of this scale to consoles, something that has rarely been done successfully. The rephrasing of New World: Aeternum’s console release as an Action RPG might be a way to help it appeal to the respective platforms’ players, but make no mistake—this is still an MMO at heart. It leverages the power of next-gen consoles to deliver an experience that, while not without flaws, is impressive in scope and presentation. Time will tell if New World: Aeternum sets a precedent for future MMOs on consoles, but the potential is certainly there.
New World: Aeternum is an engaging MMORPG with a rich narrative and an immersive world that encourages exploration. Its crafting and gathering systems are compelling, and the expansive map is stunning. While the combat system has its limitations, particularly with movement issues, and the enemy variety is limited, the freedom to experiment with different weapons and abilities keeps things interesting. This game might not be perfect, but it’s definitely worth a try for anyone looking to lose themselves in a well-crafted virtual world for some time.
- Immersive environment
- Deep crafting and gathering systems
- Engaging characters and narrative
- Stiff combat and movement issues
- Limited enemy variety
Published: Oct 25, 2024 11:14 am