New World: Aeternum Review-In-Progress

mmorpg.com:

New World: Aeternum is finally here, bringing Amazon’s updated vision of Aeternum to PC players and, for the first time, the console audience. Releasing across Xbox Series S|X and PlayStation 5, New World: Aeternum brings a host of improvements, revamps and new content to the 2021 MMO, including new cinematic storytelling, a new open-world forced PvP zone, and much more. 

While we had access to New World: Aeternum last week on a review early access build, it’s not possible to actually review an MMO without the aspects that make it one, namely the community and all of the social aspects that influence the world. With a player-driven economy, territory control, a new PvP zone and raid, we felt the most accurate way to review New World: Aeternum was to really dive in when the rest of the world would be able to as well. 

This isn’t to say I don’t have thoughts from playing on the early access server: I do. This review in progress will start to unpack them, with more to follow as I progress through this revamped version of Amazon’s first MMO.

Welcome to Aeternum

Set in the year 1609 during the waning days of the Age of Exploration, New World: Aeternum centers on the mythical isle of Aeternum. A place where death doesn’t dwell, the Eternal Isle, as its come to be known by its inhabitants, has drawn explorers, adventurers, and more towards it throughout history, with those pulled in by its magical storm wall building their own societies and civilization reminiscent of the outside world. 

It’s a world where Marc Antony’s XIX Legion took up residence after the war against Augustus, where King Arthur’s legend flourishes, and our civilization's legendary gods and goddesses find their roots. It’s an island in constant conflict with itself, with the forces of Corruption and the Angry Earth vying for dominance over the Eternal Isle. 

From its first moments in New World: Aeternum the renewed efforts for story telling are on full display. From an opening cinematic that sets up why