PS5 New World: Aeternum Review

New World: Aeternum is an MMORPG developed by Amazon Games, released on September 28, 2021. Set in a fictional 17th-century world, the game combines elements of colonial conquest, supernatural forces, and player-driven economies and warfare.

Character Creation and Progression

• No class system; characters develop based on weapon usage and attribute allocation
• Skill-based progression allows for flexible character builds
• Three factions to choose from, influencing PvP dynamics

Combat System

• Action-based combat with dodge mechanics
• Weapon mastery system encourages experimentation
• Limited to 6 active skills, promoting strategic loadout choices

Crafting and Economy

• Extensive crafting system integral to gameplay
• Player-driven economy with fluctuating resource values
• Housing system allows for personalization and crafting bonuses

PvE Content

• Varied enemy types from wildlife to corrupted beings
• Instanced dungeons ("Expeditions") offer challenging group content
• World events like Corrupted Breaches provide dynamic open-world activities

PvP Elements

• Optional open-world PvP through flagging system
• Large-scale territory wars for control of settlements
• Outpost Rush: 20v20 instanced PvP mode combining PvE elements

• Stunning visuals with detailed environments and atmospheric lighting
• Diverse biomes from lush forests to arid deserts
• Immersive sound design enhancing the game's ambiance
• Character and monster designs blend historical and fantastical elements

• Generally stable, with occasional server issues during peak times
• Well-optimized for a range of PC specifications
• Continued updates addressing bugs and performance issues

Pros

1. Gorgeous, immersive world
2. Engaging combat system
3. Deep crafting and economic gameplay
4. No subscription fee (buy-to-play model)
5. Regular content updates and seasonal events

Cons

1. Repetitive questing structure
2. Limited PvE endgame content at launch (improved with updates)
3. Some balancing issues in PvP
4. Occasional bugs and server stability problems

New World: Aeternum offers a fresh take on the MMORPG genre with its unique setting and gameplay mechanics. While it launched with some limitations, continued updates have addressed many initial concerns. The game shines in its visual presentation, crafting depth, and player-driven content, making it a solid choice for MMO enthusiasts looking for a new world to explore.

Score: 8/10

New World: Aeternum delivers a captivating MMORPG experience that, despite some flaws, provides engaging gameplay and a beautiful world to lose yourself in.