With New World: Aeternum, the MMORPG from Amazon Games is set to release for PS5 and Xbox Series in October 2024. While many PC players are currently upset about the announcement, console owners can look forward to an exciting alternative to FFXIV and Elder Scrolls Online, according to MeinMMO editor Karsten Scholz.
On October 15, 2024, New World will be released in its new version Aeternum on Xbox Series and PlayStation 5. With my assessment from June 4, 2024, I was spot on. Like many others, I was also surprised by how clearly the developers from Amazon Games avoided using the MMORPG label in their announcement.
According to MeinMMO author Nico Hernes, this was already the case during a press presentation during the Summer Games Fest. But even in the official FAQ it states (via Amazon Games): “New World: Aeternum is an open-world action RPG.”
The PC Community is Outraged
That a considerable portion of the New World community is disappointed with the announcement and the new direction was reported by MeinMMO yesterday, on June 10, 2024. Of 3,204 reviews in the past 30 days, only ten percent are positive. This is what you call “review bombing.”
This announcement is also hotly debated on Reddit and in the official Discord channel. Many PC players would have preferred it if Amazon Games had fully focused on fixing existing issues and developing new content for the current community.
Moreover, this new label of open-world action RPG is disconcerting. However, the developers have already clarified that the new version Aeternum coming out in October will belong to the same genre as New World today. The game has never fit perfectly into a single genre category, according to the explanation from Amazon Games.
New World captivated him at launch primarily with its unusual setting and the audiovisual quality of the game world. However, the generic theme park content that the Amazon Games team had cobbled together in far too short a time eventually drove him out of Aeternum.
New MMO Food for Consoles
I can absolutely understand the criticism from the community. Specifically, communication was … improvable. At the same time, I am excited that there will soon be a new, potentially fun alternative for MMO fans on PS5 and Xbox. How lacking the offerings are at this time is shown in our top 5 best MMORPGs for PlayStation and Xbox.
Among them, besides Elder Scrolls Online, Final Fantasy XIV and Black Desert, are also Neverwinter and DC Universe Online. All decent to very good games, but they all have at least ten years under their belts – and they overall play better on PC.
On the other hand, the combat system of New World is made for the controller. Especially if the developers – as announced – further optimize controls and user interface for consoles. In addition, there are further improvements that Amazon Games has introduced for Aeternum:
- The first 10-player raid
- Extensive PvP zone
- Solo Trials in the endgame
- Character archetypes
- New dialog system and new cutscenes
- Improved story
- Improved leveling system
- Characters should finally be able to swim
One must also not forget the new shard system for New World servers, which allows more Aeternum heroes to play instead of getting stuck frustrated in queues. With all these improvements in tow, I am indeed looking forward to giving New World a new chance starting in October and exploring Aeternum from my cozy couch.
And if I am not the only one feeling this way, then the servers of New World could feel so lively in a few months that all PC players would also benefit from it (who, of course, also gain something from the aforementioned new features) – looking at PvP, group challenges, and fresh blood for their guild.
A larger number of active players bringing money into the coffers gives Amazon Games good reasons to invest even more in New World in the future in terms of content updates and expansions – this would also be a positive development for all PC players who are currently upset.
Continuing to focus only on the PC version would have ultimately killed the MMORPG in my view in the foreseeable future. How do you see it: Do you criticize the new path of New World or do you hope that the game can still become a hit? More information about Aeternum can be found here: Amazon hits the reset button: New World becomes an action RPG – Also for PS5 and Xbox
