New World: Aeternum (2024) Review – A Familiar Adventure with a Fresh Coat of Paint

Amazon’s MMO is back and shinier than ever, but does it rise to the occasion or is it stuck in its own loop?

Ah, New World, Amazon’s baby that launched back in 2021, has returned—this time in the form of New World: Aeternum. It's more than just a re-release; think of it as a remastered version combined with a console-friendly update and a sprinkle of new features. But does it deliver a fresh experience or simply a chance to fix what wasn't quite right the first time?

Gameplay – MMO or RPG? Yes. Both.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: New World: Aeternum comes with a bit of an identity crisis. Is it still an MMO? Well, sort of. Is it trying to be a solo-friendly RPG? Absolutely. The devs at Amazon have pushed the idea that you can enjoy this new iteration entirely solo, which is quite a bold move for a game that originally pitched itself as an MMO.

For those who are returning to Aeternum or are completely new to this fantasy world, the good news is that the game feels a lot more welcoming. There’s a revamped intro experience, better onboarding, and storylines that you can tackle alone without being forced to group up—music to any introverted player’s ears! On the other hand, if you loved the original’s large-scale PvP battles and faction wars, those are still there too, including a brand-new 10-player raid.

One notable addition is the introduction of character archetypes—finally! Instead of being tossed into the world with no class system like before, players now get a clearer sense of identity with archetypes that define their playstyle. The weapons system has also been revamped, allowing you to switch between two weapons at any time, which adds a layer of flexibility but can also feel a bit overwhelming if you’re a "min-maxing" type of player.

The crafting, gathering, and survival elements? They’re back and as relaxing as ever. Honestly, there’s something meditative about chopping trees and mining that’s hard to explain but easy to love.

Combat – A Love/Hate Relationship

Combat in New World: Aeternum remains similar to the original, with a focus on action rather than just stat-based encounters. It’s fast-paced and engaging, but the auto-aim feature can be, let’s say, uncooperative. There’s a lock-on system that works fine for melee weapons, but if you’re planning to play as a gun-toting hunter or spell-caster, you’ll quickly realize the system has its quirks. Let’s just say, you’ll be locking onto every enemy except the one you actually want.

That said, controller support is surprisingly solid, especially for a game that was originally PC-exclusive. So if you’re diving into New World: Aeternum on a console, you won’t feel like you’re missing out in terms of mechanics—although you might occasionally hurl a controller out of frustration with the targeting system.

Visuals and Performance – Nothing Groundbreaking, But It’ll Do

Let’s not mince words: New World: Aeternum looks fine. It’s not going to blow your socks off, but the lush environments are still beautiful to explore, especially when you catch those dynamic weather effects and day-night cycles. The console versions even offer some neat visual modes, like Performance (for higher frame rates) and 4K (if you fancy some pixel-perfect vistas). That said, if you’ve got a 4K setup, be ready for occasional frame drops. Still, the world of Aeternum is charming enough to keep you going, even if you won’t be staring slack-jawed at every new location.

One area where the game still needs work, though, is the audio. Sound design feels flat at times—swinging a giant sword or casting an epic spell should feel impactful, but the audio rarely delivers the kind of punch you’d expect. I mean, if I’m going to take down a Corruption-infused beast with a 15-foot axe, I want to hear it!

Story and Solo Play – Surprisingly Engaging

Surprisingly, the story in New World: Aeternum got a bit of a glow-up. Now, NPCs are fully voiced, and the dialogue feels much more engaging than it did during the original release. There’s a clear effort to enhance the immersion, and it’s paying off

While the narrative itself doesn’t break any new ground—there’s still the typical fantasy mix of ancient evils and magical mysteries—it’s serviceable and enjoyable enough, especially with the improved solo play mechanics.

Still, the game shines brightest when you’re playing with friends. The large-scale PvP skirmishes and faction wars return in full force, and it’s in these moments where New World: Aeternum feels truly alive. You can opt out of the multiplayer elements if you wish, but it’s clear that the game was built with a shared experience in mind.

Final Verdict – A Mixed Bag with a Lot to Offer

New World: Aeternum is a hard game to pin down. On the one hand, it makes solid improvements in areas like solo play, onboarding, and story immersion. On the other hand, it still feels like it’s sitting in two camps: one foot in the MMO world, one foot in the action-RPG genre. Whether this dual identity works for you will depend on what kind of experience you’re after.

If you’re a solo player who loves the idea of an open-world action RPG with crafting and survival elements, this game might just be your cup of tea. But if you’re craving an MMO that delivers the full multiplayer package, New World: Aeternum can feel a little thin at times, particularly when compared to other MMOs or action RPGs.