Launch Context: A Busy Fall for Gamers
New World: Aeternum arrived on September 28, 2021—just as the industry was gearing up for holiday blockbusters like Far Cry 6 (October 7) and Battlefield 2042 (November 19). That same week, Amazon’s new MMO briefly set a Twitch viewership record, overtaking some long-running favorites. Meanwhile, with so many big titles dropping around the same time, New World had to work hard to grab attention. Fortunately, its fresh, classless combat system and buy-to-play model made people curious right away.
Story & Setting
Shipwrecked on the mysterious island of Aeternum, you join one of three rival factions fighting for its magical resources. Although the main story is fairly simple—centering on faction politics and an ancient curse—the world itself tells much of the tale. You’ll discover ruined villages, Corrupted Breaches, and hidden lore entries that bring the island’s past to life. If you enjoy uncovering stories as you explore, you’ll find plenty of reasons to keep roaming, even though the main plot doesn’t match the depth of big single-player RPGs.
Gameplay Mechanics
- Classless Combat: Wield swords, muskets, or sorcery in real time. Weapon mastery replaces rigid classes, letting you swap playstyles on the fly.
- Gathering & Crafting: A deep trade-skill system rewards resource hunters and artisans with upgraded gear, housing options, and territory perks.
- PvE Content: Open-world events like Corrupted Breaches, group Expeditions, and challenging boss hunts offer PvE variety.
- PvP Warfare: From 20-player Outpost Rush to 50vs50 Territory Wars, faction conflict scales from small-team skirmishes to large-scale sieges.
- Mounts & Upgrades: Horses, dire wolves, and lions can be leveled, dyed, and upgraded—improving traversal speed and cargo capacity.
Visuals & Audio
Amazon’s engine brings Aeternum to life with lush forests, misty beaches, and crumbling castles. Although you might spot some pop-in or clipping here and there, the world mostly feels alive. The music mixes grand orchestral swells with eerie ambient tones, and the sound effects—like roaring beasts and clashing steel—keep combat exciting. Meanwhile, voice acting is solid, though you may hear the same lines a bit too often.
Community Feedback & Reviews
According to Steam, New World carries a “Mixed” rating: 62% positive in recent reviews (533 total) and 68% overall (245,883 total). Overall, players often highlight:
- Innovative classless combat and diverse weapons
- Gorgeous world design and high production values
- Deep crafting and player-driven economy
On the other hand, common complaints include:
- Repetitive endgame and heavy grind
- Server instability, long queues, and pay-to-move character transfers
- Faction and company imbalances that fuel toxic politics
- PvP balance issues and worries over paid cosmetics feeling like pay-to-win
In sum, the core combat and crafting hook players, but the endgame loop and live-service hiccups need work.
Overall Impact on the Industry
As a buy-to-play MMO without monthly fees, New World challenged traditional subscription models. Furthermore, its classless system has inspired designers to rethink rigid archetypes, and its early server woes underscored the importance of scalable infrastructure. While not without flaws, New World’s ambition to blend open-world RPG freedom with large-scale warfare leaves a mark—and signals Amazon Games as a serious contender in the MMO arena.
Final Thoughts
New World: Aeternum’s lush world, flexible combat, and deep crafting offer a compelling sandbox for explorers and PvPers alike. However, grind-centric endgame loops and technical hiccups hold it back from MMO royalty. Nevertheless, for hardcore RPG fans willing to weather the rough edges, Aeternum remains an adventure worth forging.
