When Amazon Video games first introduced New World: Aeternum, the “non secular sequel” to its flagship MMORPG, New World, I feel we have been all a bit perplexed. Is that this a remake? Is it a full sequel? Is it an ARPG rework? Why now? Questions, questions, and but extra questions. As one of many tens of millions of people that tried out New World at launch, I used to be intrigued, particularly given the obvious swap to ARPG-style fight; I imagined New World’s universe with an injection of Diablo and the fluidity of Misplaced Ark. I used to be pleasantly shocked after I sat down at Summer time Recreation Fest to take Aeternum for a spin, however I in the end left with extra questions than I needed to start with.
Our journey begins because it did earlier than: within the bowels of a rickety previous ship certain for the mysterious Isle of Aeternum. The cutscenes aren’t accessible within the Summer time Recreation Fest construct, so I’m launched into the character creator after which onwards to the higher decks. As thunder booms and the waves proceed to batter the perimeters of our vessel, a barrel explodes in entrance of me, opening a path for what I presume was as soon as one in every of my crewmates, who shambles menacingly in direction of me, weapon raised. New World: Aeternum thrusts you into the center of the motion instantly, and I prefer it.
As I hack and slash my manner by but extra of my fallen mates, the display screen fades right into a cutscene, which once more is obscured. Once I reawaken, I’m gasping for air because the damaged bones of my vessel sink round me, hearth raging, casting ominous shadows throughout the darkish mirrored floor of the ocean. After nearly two and a half years of ready, I watch as our protagonist swims to the shore – sure, Amazon’s MMORPG now has swimming, rejoice! The amber of the flames provides approach to a stunning waterfall, surrounded by emerald plants. Visually, it’s gorgeous – the solar’s rays peek over the mouth of the waterfall, and the water shimmers because it elements round you. New World has at all times been an exquisite sport, however this actually looks like a level-up.
Relatively handily, my provisions have floated to shore, permitting me to equip my first-ever gear set. I selected the Musketeer which, whereas I’m not saying I impressed it, does embody each of my major weapons from after I first began enjoying, so I’ll allow you to put two and two collectively. Armed with my trusty rapier and musket, the cave earlier than me takes me on a winding journey by the rock, bringing me out on a ledge overlooking this weird new world. It’s a throwback to the unique tutorial, and it places a smile on my face; now I’m beginning to see why sport director Scot Lane calls it a “non secular sequel” in our unique Summer time Recreation Fest interview.
However past this tranquil house as soon as lay Captain Thrope, the person answerable for the tattered stays of our as soon as proud ship. I discover him hunched over the field given to him by Father Russo in New World’s first cutscene, struggling to pry it open. A mysterious voice whispers in his ear: “You need to grow to be one thing larger. The fountain; drink and settle for my present.”
From right here, the boss battle ensues with larger grandeur than its predecessor. The place Thrope as soon as felt like a boss for the sake of being a boss, he’s now a realized character who I get the sense we’ll see extra of – I gained’t inform you what occurs, don’t fear.
Whereas that is simply the tutorial, it does really feel like an improve over its predecessor. Amazon has championed its new narrative method, and New World: Aeternum definitely looks like extra of a cohesive story straight off the bat, whereas the unique New World felt like it was in a rush to get you from A to B, which harm the pacing.
I’d be a liar if I mentioned I didn’t choose New World’s authentic ship graveyard to Aeternum’s. I’m a sucker for that Pirates of the Caribbean ‘lifeless males inform no tales’ vibe, and I’d relatively have seen that space revamped as an alternative of fully reenvisioned. I can’t deny, nonetheless, that this can be a way more thrilling intro to the sport. Graphically it’s beautiful, and narratively it’s loads stronger – if I used to be enjoying this for the primary time, it’d depart me in awe.
Following my altercation with Thrope, I respawn mid-battle, as our new beginning quest giver, Alestrom the Fallen King, tears up a corrupted sailor utilizing a hefty greatsword. His character matches the depth of his considerably boggling eyes, and he rapidly sends you out on your first quest: skinning some boars. From right here, quest-wise, issues proceed as regular – till we meet Grace O’Malley.
The main woman of Fellowship and Hearth, New World’s first season, Grace is now the one who sends you scouring the wrecks for data and loot. In our interview, Lane tells me that he’d encourage gamers to play once more “simply to hang around with Grace,” and I agree that she definitely injects a bit extra life into the preliminary fetch and return quests.
This part additionally doubles as my first actual expertise of fight exterior of the tutorials after I come throughout a slew of corrupted sailors. As somebody who performed far an excessive amount of New World, the fight instantly feels extra dynamic, with the transition from rapier to musket nearly dreamily clean. I tackle some heavier enemies, zip round them, and minimize away at their well being bars from afar. As a participant who likes to hit arduous and get out unscathed, it feels good.
It’s price noting that I performed New World: Aeternum on Xbox as an alternative of PC, as solely console builds have been accessible.
However I’ve to return to my earlier query: why now? Whereas New World has seen resurgences round Rise of the Indignant Earth and varied Steam gross sales, this all feels very sudden. The Aeternum announcement has led to a overview bombing marketing campaign, implying that this revamp is simply not what diehard gamers needed – particularly if you issue within the added value of the Rise of the Indignant Earth growth, which is required to play Aeternum.
What I’ve performed of Aeternum does really feel just like the “final model of New World” that Amazon promised, however is it too little too late? Whereas opponents like World of Warcraft and Remaining Fantasy 14 have continued to flourish, New World didn’t have legs. Amazon has arguably taken a danger in deciding to shoot for mass attraction with this reboot, upsetting its admittedly small core viewers within the course of, and whereas the console launch will result in an inflow of latest gamers, Aeternum has an uphill battle on its arms to get the OG followers again onside.
New World Aeternum releases on Tuesday October 15 and can exchange the present model of New World. Very similar to Overwatch and Counter-Strike: International Offensive, the unique New World will stop to exist as soon as Aeternum arrives.
Moreover, as a part of the summer time Steam sale, you can too choose up the usual version for 60% off ($15.99 / £13.19), or get the Elysian version, which incorporates Rise of the Indignant Earth, for 43% off ($39.98 / 33.18). If you happen to’re planning on diving into Aeternum, the latter often is the higher choice.