New World
- September 28, 2021
- Amazon Games
- 52h median play time
New World is a pretty damn good MMORPG. It's fun and accessible, and though it doesn't do anything truly new, it has enough little twists on existing ideas to keep me invested.
New World - Azoth Edition is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game set in a fantastical version of the 17th-century Americas. This deluxe edition includes exclusive in-game content such as the Scorching Sand apparel, Wicked Ways weapon set, Blunderbuss of Brimstone weapon skin, Sarcophagus housing item, Celestial Hare house pet, Aegyptus Crest pack, and Card Suit crest pack. Players can engage in PvP and PvE combat, craft weapons and gear, and build settlements in a dynamic, player-driven world.
Reviews
- story16,641 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story in "New World" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it underwhelming and repetitive. While some appreciate the immersive world and voice-acted quests, the majority criticize the narrative for being generic and lacking depth, often reduced to typical fetch and kill quests. Additionally, numerous bugs have plagued the main story quests, preventing players from progressing and leading to frustration among the community. Overall, while the game offers a vast array of quests and activities, the storytelling aspect is seen as a significant area needing improvement.
“The story is interesting and easy enough to follow: 8/10.”
“The quests and story are rather uninspired and boring.”
“The story is quite intriguing, very 'fictional' but with a lot of signs and points to real world phenomena that most assume are as fictional, as those flying machines military reports seeing and has no clue what they are.”
“The quests are incredibly repetitive, with the majority being 'kill x' or 'fetch y', making the gameplay feel monotonous.”
“The story is bland and lacks depth, often feeling like a series of uninspired fetch quests with little narrative engagement.”
“Main story quests are often bugged, preventing players from progressing and leading to frustration with the overall quest design.”
- grinding7,982 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "New World" has received mixed feedback from players, with many noting that while it is a core feature of the game, it can become excessively tedious and repetitive, especially after reaching level 60. Players appreciate the depth of crafting and resource gathering but often find the endgame content lacking, as it primarily revolves around grinding for gear score and crafting materials, which can feel unrewarding. Overall, the game is best suited for those who enjoy grind-heavy experiences, but it may deter casual players due to its demanding nature and the prevalence of bugs and exploits.
“Crafting is extremely satisfying, with very good audio effects, a clean UI, and systems that make sense. They aren't too grindy but also reward time and effort.”
“I love the no-class system; leveling isn't too grindy and feels good, and the skills are all fun as well.”
“Even obtaining end-game PvP gear is affordable and highly available to the average player with almost no grinding.”
“The game is too grindy with nothing really to do.”
“The grinding is excessively grindy.”
“The endgame is literally just grinding for the heck of it.”
- gameplay7,741 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "New World" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its engaging combat mechanics and crafting systems, while others criticize its repetitive quests and lack of depth. The game features a blend of action-oriented gameplay and traditional MMO elements, but issues such as bugs, unbalanced mechanics, and a grind-heavy progression system detract from the overall experience. Despite its beautiful graphics and potential for improvement, many players feel that the game is currently hindered by its design choices and technical problems.
“The gameplay is good, there's a storyline or 3 or 5 or something if you're into that stuff.”
“The gameplay in New World centers around exploration, crafting, and dynamic player-driven events.”
“It successfully blends traditional MMO mechanics with more action-oriented elements, providing a satisfying experience for players of various preferences.”
“The gameplay is repetitive and quickly becomes boring.”
“Repetitive gameplay, every patch breaks the game in some way, having to relog to fix visual bugs.”
“The core gameplay loop feels incredibly mundane which is only made worse by its clunky combat and constant running back and forth between quests.”
- graphics6,574 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in "New World" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and immersive environments, often described as some of the best in the MMORPG genre. Players appreciate the attention to detail in landscapes, character models, and atmospheric effects, which contribute to a captivating gaming experience. However, there are notable concerns regarding performance issues, including high resource demands that can lead to overheating graphics cards, as well as occasional graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience.
“New World offers breathtaking graphics that bring the lush and diverse landscapes of Aeternum to life.”
“The graphics are stunning and beautifully rendered, creating an immersive experience that captivates players.”
“The visuals are absolutely stunning, showcasing lush environments, detailed character models, and impressive lighting effects.”
“The close-up rendering of graphics looks like something out of the early 00s and the mouth to voice do not sync.”
“Graphics are sadly low tier cartoon in 2023, smh.”
“The graphics are clearly very high-end and expensive, but the optimization isn't the greatest which doesn't do the visuals any justice.”
- stability3,068 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been a significant concern among players, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and performance issues. Many users have experienced frequent crashes, visual glitches, and game-breaking exploits that disrupt gameplay, particularly in PvP scenarios. While some players acknowledge that the developers are actively working on fixes, the overall sentiment is that the game remains a buggy mess, often feeling unfinished and unpolished, leading to frustration and a lack of confidence in its long-term viability.
“Despite all that, it is an entertaining and very playable game and runs great on Linux with Proton.”
“Game runs great, and if they use all that Amazon money to keep improving, and adding to it, I see no reason why this should not be up there with WoW, TESO, FF Online, and The Secret World.”
“The game runs great, PvP is balanced, engaging, and exciting.”
“Consistent crashes, graphics errors, and routine glitches quickly ruin the experience.”
“The game is still a buggy mess; there is nothing the developers touch that isn't worse off than before.”
“The game is a buggy mess, frame rate issues, and the fact that it requires multiple restarts just to get running.”
- optimization1,436 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 34 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, lag, and crashes, particularly in populated areas and during large-scale PvP events. Despite some improvements since launch, the game remains poorly optimized, often requiring high-end hardware to run smoothly, and many users express frustration over the lack of effective fixes from the developers. Overall, while the game has potential, its current state is deemed unplayable by a significant portion of the player base until further optimizations are implemented.
“While the game has made significant strides since its beta phase, some players may encounter minor bugs and optimization issues.”
“The game is also terribly optimized and suffers from performance issues even while it has nothing special about it that should strain your system at all.”
“The game runs smoothly and has lots of hints and help for new players.”
“Unplayable at current state, save your money until there's better optimization.”
“The game is very poorly optimized and consumes a lot of resources.”
“The performance is incredibly weird; 3080 - Ryzen 5600x - 32GB RAM - installed on SSD and the performance will go from 180 fps to like... 30 in towns.”
- music1,157 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many players praising its immersive quality and the unique ability to play instruments for buffs, reminiscent of a mini-game like Guitar Hero. While some find the soundtrack beautiful and fitting for the game's atmosphere, others criticize it for being repetitive or forgettable, particularly during combat. Overall, the sound design, including ambient effects and music, is often highlighted as a standout feature that enhances the gaming experience.
“The music perfectly suits the world; it is understated and really helps with the ambiance.”
“The soundtrack is beautiful and adds to the overall experience.”
“The music system is also a lot of fun, as you can provide yourself with buffs by playing a guitar hero-style mini-game.”
“The music in the game is peaceful when walking through the woods, and epic when in fights.”
“The music is completely forgettable; I cannot recall anything that was even inspiring or remotely fit the location or narrative.”
“The music feels repetitive.”
- humor463 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often described as unintentional, stemming from a plethora of bugs, glitches, and design flaws that players find amusing. Many reviews highlight the hilarious interactions in proximity chat and the absurdity of certain game mechanics, such as the lack of swimming animations and the overly complicated crafting system. Overall, while the game has serious issues, the community's ability to laugh at these shortcomings adds a layer of enjoyment for many players.
“Proximity chat is hilarious.”
“The community is funny and playful when it comes to faction PvP.”
“It's funny to see level 50s one-shotting level 20s and it's a joke of a balance.”
“The experience is so far removed from any other MMO, it's just not funny.”
“2k player cap on a server is an unfunny joke.”
“It is like a funny loop, except it is not funny.”
- monetization441 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 68 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it as exploitative and akin to a cash grab. Key features, such as mounts and weapons, are locked behind paywalls, and the introduction of microtransactions, including a seasonal battle pass, has left players feeling frustrated and disappointed. While some argue that the game is not pay-to-win and that cosmetic purchases are optional, the overall sentiment suggests a growing concern over the aggressive monetization practices overshadowing the gameplay experience.
“The developers have maintained effective communication, and the monetization strategy has evolved with the introduction of a seasonal battle pass and expansion purchases.”
“You can absolutely play the game as-is since the only in-game purchases besides the DLC are a season pass which is 90% cosmetics and 10% boxes with items/XP boosts.”
“The monetization is fair and I would easily spend money on expansions if they choose to go that route, which I hope they do over favoring microtransactions.”
“It's disappointing to witness a game with so much potential resorting to such exploitative monetization practices, especially when it is already suffering from a decreasing popularity.”
“The base game is great but obviously not perfect; however, their cash grab for the DLC with mounts and to increase the level cap by 5 is just plain ridiculous.”
“This game feels like a total cash grab.”
- atmosphere363 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, exceptional sound design, and immersive environments that transport players into a beautifully crafted world. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a sense of exploration and adventure, with varied biomes and atmospheric effects enhancing the overall experience. However, some players note inconsistencies in gameplay and community interactions that can detract from the otherwise captivating atmosphere.
“The atmosphere they've created is top-notch.”
“The stunning graphics and realistic sound effects combine to create an atmosphere that truly transports you to this fantastical realm.”
“The meticulously designed environments, the stunning lighting effects, and the evocative soundtrack create an atmosphere that's both immersive and captivating.”
“Mechanically this game feels good but it's completely devoid of atmosphere; it looks decent but generic and suffers from poor optimization, the writing and voice acting are cringe-worthy, the story is forgettable, character development and itemization is simplistic and boring, its crafting system is pointless, and player interaction is unmemorable.”
“An empty soulless shell of a game with zero atmosphere and so far all I have met is self-centered players; it is just a meh game.”
“The landscape and mobs soon become tiring and the game lacks a certain atmosphere which would normally compel you to explore and be the first to find something exciting.”
- emotional146 mentions
- 84 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has been largely criticized, with many players expressing feelings of disappointment and frustration due to a lack of engaging storylines, character development, and meaningful interactions. Reviewers frequently mention a sense of emotional exhaustion from repetitive gameplay and bugs, leading to a disconnection from the game world and its characters. Overall, the game's potential is overshadowed by its shortcomings, leaving players feeling heartbroken and disillusioned.
“He showed everyone in our company all the correspondence and honestly it's heartbreaking to see a guy pour his heart out and jump through every hoop only to receive a cut and paste response that shows they literally didn't even read his appeal.”
“I really loved this game and it's heartbreaking to see what was allowed to happen because it was managed by people with no experience in growing a successful game.”
“The game is brand new (I played alpha, closed beta, open beta) and still somehow gives me a nostalgic, heartwarming vibe of great memories as if I'd played this as a kid.”
“Incredibly boring storyline.”
“Boring story, characters, dungeons, enemies and quests.”
“Boring story that doesn't lure you in.”
- replayability130 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its immersive world, diverse character builds, and engaging PvP elements that enhance long-term enjoyment. However, many express frustration over performance issues, lack of meaningful content, and a grind-heavy experience that detracts from replay value. While some find it infinitely replayable, others feel it lacks depth and variety, particularly in PvE content, leading to a sense of burnout.
“The world and its lore have been carefully crafted for great immersion and replayability.”
“It offers meaningful choices that impact the story, enhancing replayability.”
“The open-class approach and ease of re-spec changes makes this game deeply replayable without the need to start a brand new character for each new class you want to explore.”
“Replayability concerns: while the game has much to offer, the recurring performance problems deter repeated visits.”
“Considering that this game has zero replayability (creating new characters, etc), being low level right now is terrible.”
“I've found no replayability in this game and the quests are some of the most boring things I've ever done.”
- character development100 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the variety and flexibility in building their characters, while others criticize it for being shallow and lacking depth. Many highlight the engaging progression system tied to skills and attributes, but there are frequent complaints about poor character design, limited customization options, and a lack of meaningful narrative elements. Overall, while some players find the character development enjoyable and rewarding, others feel it falls short compared to other titles in the genre.
“Character development is deeply engaging, with a focus on leveling up personal attributes, weapon, and trade skills.”
“This game offers a lot of variety in character development and play-styles, PvE, PvP, and role-playing.”
“Character development is really good as well, you have full control of how you place your character's attributes.”
“Character development is flat and boring.”
“The 'story' is the weakest I have ever encountered in an MMO with no meaningful character development nor depth.”
“Character development is very poor; in short, we can choose just one stat to level up.”
Critic Reviews
New World review
New World's engaging crafting and faction rivalries are held back by abysmal PvE and a boring world.
60%New World review — A wonderful new adventure under construction
New World feels like a modern MMORPG. It looks beautiful, the combat is fluid, and there's plenty to keep you engaged. The island feels alive with warring factions and hostile enemies. And the fighting is very fun. While you're never short of tasks to complete, the game gets repetitive. It's in desperate need of variety and more emotion. The bones are there, but New World hasn't fulfilled its potential yet.
70%New World Review – A Fun but Unpolished MMO
New World keeps most of its concepts sweet and simple - mostly to its advantage.
70%