It has been a while since I jumped into New World, but with New World: Aeternum available at Summer Game Fest, I was eager to see what was new. A console version of the PC MMO New World, Aeternum, piqued my curiosity. My last experience with the game was mixed, and despite this being the console debut, I approached the demo with both curiosity and skepticism. After all, New World‘s rocky PC launch in 2021 left many players disappointed. So, does Aeternum offer a genuine fresh start, or is it simply a repackaged version of the same troubled game?
Walking into the demo, it was initially confusing to determine exactly what the game was. Thankfully, during my time with the demo, I found my answer. New World: Aeternum isn’t a sequel or a completely new game. It’s essentially a rebranded version of New World, bundled with its paid expansion, Rise of the Angry Earth, and optimized for consoles. The game is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in fall 2024, with a full $70 price tag. For PC players, Aeternum will be a free update. It introduces a revamped new player experience, aiming to smooth out the rough edges that plagued the original launch.
Despite hints in the trailer and some rumblings online, at its core, New World: Aeternum remains an MMORPG. The game retains its action-combat system, which feels responsive and engaging on a controller. The developers have put considerable effort into adapting the UI and controls for console play, and it shows. When I last played New World, I found it incredibly well-crafted but also clunky, especially at the beginning of the game. Aeternum has streamlined many of the early segments, making it a much easier jump-in and play experience.
“Despite hints in the trailer and some rumblings online, at its core, New World: Aeternum remains an MMORPG.”
Part of this streamlined process can be attributed to the introduction of character archetypes. Players can now choose from predefined classes like the Soldier or Mage, each with their own starting gear and abilities. This change aims to make the early game more accessible to newcomers. New World: Aeternum introduces new solo content in the form of repeatable “soul trials.” These daily challenges offer rewards and are designed to cater to players who prefer to tackle content alone. It is great to see the game trying to cater to players who may not want to follow the typical MMO process and provide them with content that can be done solo.
Visually, New World: Aeternum maintains the lush, colonial-era-inspired aesthetic it launched with. The game world is filled with detailed environments, from dense forests to imposing fortresses and everything in between. What is even more impressive is that there does not seem to be any noticeable loss in visuals from the move to console. On the next-gen console I played for the demo, the game looks crisp and runs smoothly.
Amazon Games’ vision for New World: Aeternum seems to be creating an MMO that is accessible to both hardcore and casual players. The new archetype system and improved tutorial aim to ease new players into the game, while endgame content like the 10-player raid caters to veteran MMO enthusiasts. The developers also emphasize the game’s story elements. Aeternum introduces a new dialogue system that promises to make quests and NPC interactions more engaging. Whether this will be enough to elevate the narrative remains to be seen, but at least from what I got to play, the game is shaping up well.
“Visually, New World: Aeternum maintains the lush, colonial-era-inspired aesthetic it launched with.”
New World: Aeternum brings several new features to the table. The game has seen a lot of attention to ensure it will work with controllers, including a completely revamped UI. The improved new player experience includes a redesigned tutorial and starting area to help players get to grips with the game. Solo trials provide daily challenges for players who prefer to adventure alone. Mounts, another feature carried over from the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion, are also included, and while I missed out on these on the PC, I am eager to see how this all works with Aeternum.
Thankfully, I liked what I saw during my time in Aeternum, but I do have some concerns. I wrote about this in the past: the original New World launched to massive player numbers but quickly lost its player base due to numerous issues. Amazon Games seems to be positioning Aeternum as a soft relaunch, a chance to win back lapsed players and attract a new audience on consoles. However, I worry that the fundamental issues that plagued the original release have not been adequately addressed.
Despite my worries, I can’t help but be hopeful for the game and admire the attention to detail and craftsmanship on display. New World: Aeternum represents a significant investment from Amazon Games. The move to consoles opens up a new market, and the revamped new player experience could help retain players who bounced off the original game.
There is a lot to like about the experience, with the setting and concept setting the stage for an engrossing story and deep lore that seem exciting to explore. It is also a setting not often tackled in MMOs, and with the production value evident here, including the voice acting and visuals, this is a console MMO that sets a new bar for what players can expect from an online experience.
New World: Aeternum is an intriguing proposition. It offers a chance for Amazon Games to reintroduce their MMO to a new audience while addressing criticisms of the original. The addition of console support, improved onboarding, and new features show that the developers are listening to player feedback. Still, with the troubled launch on the PC still fresh in many people’s minds, Aeternum will need to prove that it’s more than just a repackaged version of a flawed game.
For MMO fans and curious newcomers alike, New World: Aeternum will be a game to watch when it launches this fall. Amazon Games has done a lot of work making the shift to consoles, and if what I played is an example of the final product, I am hopeful that New World will find a second life and deliver on the promise everyone had before it first launched.
