As an avid MMO player who’s seen my fair share of virtual worlds, let me tell you, New World: Aeternum has been quite the breath of fresh air for this old adventurer. I’ve spent countless hours lost in the digital landscapes of yore, but Aeternum’s mechanics that encourage collaboration have truly brought a smile to my weathered face.
Since I’ve invested a considerable amount of my time pruning yew trees within Runescape, the opportunity to embark on yet another Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) wasn’t something I wanted to let slip away.
In my perspective, this game stands out by offering an engaging solo journey that seamlessly blends into a larger, multiplayer adventure within an expansive unexplored universe.
In the enchanting locale of Aeternum Island, the atmosphere echoes the spirit of discovering uncharted territories, brimming with swashbuckling pirates, mystical powers, and hidden riches – offering a refreshing deviation from the predictable fantasy MMO landscapes.
Although Aeternum wasn’t recently introduced as a new game (it debuted in 2021), it provides novel experiences and a refreshed look for returning players, all while attracting a multitude of new players thanks to its console crossplay feature.
Since I haven’t had a chance to explore New World previously, I was thrilled at the prospect of playing its “remaster” (let’s call it New World: Aeternum) and immerse myself in the familiar grinding experience. However, is New World: Aeternum carving out a unique niche within the MMO genre? Let’s embark on this review and uncover the answers together.
Desert Island Disks 
In the colorful setting of Aeternum, you find yourself stranded after a wreck, discovering a mysterious place inhabited by cursed individuals and beasts, where death seems to hold little power.
Instead, they go mad, whether it be from the evil red energy “Corruption” or from starvation. There is a force intent on taking control of the ancient powers of the land and you are there to stop it.
In many Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs), such as Aeternum, it’s not uncommon for the story to take a backseat. After all, when you’re surrounded by countless other players, each dressed uniquely and engaged in activities identical to yours, it becomes challenging to maintain the narrative of the “Chosen One.
It’s not that there aren’t charming, humorous, or scary characters in Aeternum. On the contrary, as you advance through the main storyline, you hear the voice of Corruption persistently whispering in your mind, trying to sway you to their side. There’s also the mysterious Grace O’Malley, a pirate who seeks treasure and aims to eventually depart from this accursed land.
The environment may captivate you to some extent, but it’s the mysterious characters who seem to always offer tasks that truly keep you engaged, and you’ll find yourself spending a considerable amount of time exploring this island.
An Accessible Grind
With any entry to the MMO, grind is to be expected. You’re going to be running around occasionally empty feeling worlds, running through the same enemy encampments, fighting the same monsters, over and over.
In the same vein as New World, Aeternum provides a unique twist to the MMORPG genre by offering unprecedented flexibility and user-friendly character advancement features.
In this game, you’ll encounter common elements such as equipment levels, attributes, and abilities, which you’ll manage while combing through extensive text during battles and missions. At the start of the game, you get to choose your character class.
This doesn’t lock you into anything, it just gives you a slight boost to certain starting skills, and determines your starting equipment. As you level up your character, you are free to spec your attribute points however you like, all pretty normal.
In Aeternum, the unique aspect lies in the variety of weapons your character wields. These serve as your “roles,” and players have the freedom to utilize up to two of these weapon types. Ranging from muskets and greatswords to healing staffs and ice-summoning gauntlets, every player can swiftly grasp these tools and experience instant effectiveness, with minimal downsides or restrictions.
As a gamer, I’ve found these weapons to be quite unique. They independently level up and grant special abilities and passive effects tied to them. The power of some scales based on attributes such as Strength, Intelligence, Dexterity, or even a blend of several. Remarkably, the enhancement from my other gear allows me to swiftly switch roles from healer to tank to damage dealer without any negative consequences.
If your character’s attributes don’t match their equipment or tactics, you can adjust them whenever you like. This flexibility allows for a wide range of gaming possibilities, whether you prefer solo adventures or teaming up with others to conquer dungeons.
As an MMO grinder, I loved this. I got solidly to the mid-game, picked up a new weapon type I had no experience with but wanted to try, and then ran into an Expedition (raids for non-endgame players) and did great.
Instead of sticking with the same weapon for 30 levels, I decided to switch things up and try a new one, which turned out to be immensely satisfying, fresh, and impactful. Although the gameplay itself isn’t groundbreaking, having the option to swap weapons adds a layer of replayability that caters to various types of players.
The weapon system is just one aspect to accessibility. Fairly early on you learn to build a camp, which you can build anywhere.
This spot functions both as a relocatable revival point and a workshop for creating items. By setting up camp just outside a fort that gives you the jitters, you can rest assured. If you meet your end there, it’s not a problem because you’ll be right back where you started. No hassle, no bother.
An Aesthetic Archipelago
Throughout the initial stages of the game, you’ll find yourself traversing the expansive landscapes of Aeternum primarily on foot. However, the scenery is far from monotonous, boasting picturesque woodlands and breathtaking panoramas that will captivate your eyes.
Furthermore, running along roads provides an increase in your movement speed, and there are quick-travel spots dispersed throughout the game world to streamline the process of transitioning between quest locations.
In the game Aeternum, once you reach a certain level, they provide you with a mount that you can hop on and go explore. This isn’t some premium feature reserved for endgame players or something you need to spend a fortune, whether it’s real money or in-game currency, to obtain.
As you progress and gain levels, voila! You’ll find yourself mounted on a steed, which makes traversing this island an absolute delight.
It seems that the cost of Aeternum sets it apart from its free-to-play competitors, providing a more enjoyable MMO grind experience with fewer tedious tasks.
Multiplayer Makes Aeternum Shine
In some Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOs), the multiplayer feature can often foster a competitive or even hostile environment, such as racing to gather loot from defeated enemies or striving to land the final blow for experience points. This competition with other players can sometimes lead to frustration. Aeternum, however, minimizes these issues.
There is still PvP, mind you. 3v3 gladiatorial combat and faction wars provide many opportunities to clash with fellow players. But in terms of just grinding and moving through the world of Aeternum, the game pushes you to work together.
As a fellow adventurer, I can tell you that when resources are scarce and I’m unable to build my own campsite, I’ve found great convenience in utilizing those constructed by other players. It’s also comforting to know that monsters and treasure chests are up for grabs for every player, eliminating any competition for the loot. While there is a slight sharing of experience points when slaying an enemy together, it’s minimal at best – making each victory feel like a personal accomplishment.
In these instances, both characters find themselves heading towards a cavern with shared objectives, forming an alliance throughout the entire labyrinth, vanquishing creatures along the way, and eventually separating without uttering a single word.
Working harmoniously with fellow team members, free from any drawbacks or interpersonal stress, offers an incredibly satisfying experience. It also allows for the exploration of one’s role within the group, long before encountering Expeditions and Raids.
In addition to traditional features such as player-created factions and friend lists, Aeternum encourages cooperation among players rather than fostering competition or conflict between them.
For about half an hour, I stood in the heart of a bustling town square, strumming a guitar that activated a mini-game reminiscent of Dance Dance Revolution. This little activity served to boost my abilities and also those of other players. Essentially, Aeternum is enjoyable when played solo, and even more so when enjoyed with companions.
A Rich World, with Little Depth
In my explanation, you might have observed that I haven’t delved deeply into the story of New World: Aeternum, and that’s due to the fact that it doesn’t offer a lot in terms of narrative.
The story serves as a foundation for a realm brimming with magic, enigma, and swashbuckling pirates, and it does this rather effectively. However, the events that unfold beyond this setting are not extensively explored or appreciated by most players.
That’s not for a lack of effort; there are scraps of lore and letters scattered throughout the entire world, and the game rewards you with experience every time you pick one up.
To put it simply for an ordinary gamer, they come across a radiant, blue tome, grab it, and promptly leave feeling satisfied as they’ve just acquired a complimentary gaming experience.
One common challenge faced by all Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMOs) is the sensation of traversing a vacant world, and Aeternum is no exception. Despite its breathtaking landscapes with dense forests, sparkling rivers, and majestic mountains, the monotony of moving from one location to another can be hard to avoid.
No amount of differently named or colored wolves can change that, no matter what.
If you aim to advance your proficiency in trades such as logging or mining, you should be prepared to invest a significant amount of time in those activities, however, keep in mind that the process may not prove to be especially captivating.
While the rewards can be satisfying, it’s important to note that engaging in non-combat skills might feel more like a lengthy endeavor rather than an easy-going experience. The scenic beauty is undeniable, but unfortunately, there isn’t much diversity when it comes to non-combat gameplay.
Journey’s End
In my perspective, the game Aeternum revitalized the MMO genre for me. Being an individual player of these types of games, I was thrilled with the mechanics that encourage cooperation among players in Aeternum.
Offering versatility to perform actions freely across various locations without much need for technical reversals, it delivers a rich variety of encounters supported by robust game mechanics.
In simpler terms, instead of avoiding the repetition typical of its genre, Aeternum simplifies the grind to make it more accessible for newcomers.
Been slinging fire with your trusty staff for what feels like forever? Fancy a change of pace? Try out this gauntlet that unleashes black holes or a halberd infused with lightning damage instead! Give them a whirl and have some fun, no need to stress about the intricacies of min-maxing. But if you’re into that, by all means, dive in! New World leaves the choice up to you.
All in all, the game “New World: Aeternum” is fantastic and became even more enjoyable as I spent more time playing it, which is a positive indication for any role-playing game. Occasionally, it encountered issues with connectivity or felt somewhat empty, but it certainly exceeded expectations by providing an enticing new world to discover.
Closing Comments:
Although Aeternum doesn’t specifically address the issues common in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs), it minimizes their effect by incorporating adaptable mechanics and intelligent multiplayer strategies. Instead of focusing on tedious grinding, engaging gameplay with a rapid pace becomes the focal point. Coupled with a unique setting that departs from previous MMOs, New World: Aeternum promises an immersive experience that keeps players engaged throughout their journey.
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2024-10-21 17:40