Should You Play New World in 2024?

As of 2024, New World has undergone significant transformations with the introduction of the latest expansion, “Rise of the Angry Earth,” and various updates in between. Gear expertise has been abolished, mount’s have finally arrived, along with Raids, Expeditions and new PvP gamemodes. After 1000 hours in the game with 100+ of those since the new expansion, I’ve experienced all types of content leading to this review to help you answer the question; Should You Play New World in 2024?

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When it comes to visuals, New World isn’t just another MMO—it’s a standout masterpiece. The game seamlessly blends modern realism with the enchanting vibrancy. Picture this: as you explore the diverse landscapes, you’re not just playing a game; you’re stepping into visually stunning scenes that truly grab your attention. And it’s not just about what you see—there’s a whole auditory feast accompanying your journey. The world of New World feels alive, and the superb sound quality just takes the whole immersive experience up a notch. Every detail has been meticulously crafted, from the echoing sounds of players chopping down trees to the impactful thud of a War Hammer meeting the ground. It all adds up to create this incredibly authentic atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re truly part of the action.

When you’re talking about MMOs, the ebb and flow of fresh and returning players can be make-or-break. Now, let’s be real—New World didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet for beginners. There was this whole grind-to-level-up saga, followed by the gear expertise hustle, and the demand for multiple sets of ward gear just to crack into some content. But hold up, there’s been a serious transformation of epic proportions to fix these woes.

The levelling game got a serious makeover, thanks to a main story questline that’s been overhauled. More cutscenes, more engaging narratives—not as many of those dull fetch-and-return quests that could put you to sleep. The beginner areas got a facelift too, shedding that sloggy vibe they used to carry.

Enter the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion, and boom—expeditions got a makeover, especially the normal versions. They’re way more doable now, which is great because main story quests love to throw you into these expeditions. In the old days, that was a struggle without high gear expertise and top-notch gear.

The storytelling has always been good in New World with full-on voice acting. But if you’ve been around since day one, connecting with the story might still be a bit of a struggle. Old habits die hard, and skipping through dialogue used to be the move to speed up missions. For the new players, though, buckle up for a more engaging ride.

New World’s character progression has undergone a comprehensive overhaul, introducing significant improvements for a more streamlined and rewarding experience. The level cap has been expanded to 65, striking a balance that makes the levelling process reasonable without feeling excessive. However, the most noteworthy improvement lies in the removal of gear expertise.

New World does not have character classes, instead you are what you wear and your weapon selections dictate the type of character you play. There are regular new weapon additions added which help to evolve the combat and playstyles. It’s always worth using and levelling multiple different weapons to find the right one for you.

Gear expertise is now a thing of the past. Instead, different content yields varying gear levels, with lower-tier gear dropping from relative levels and associated quests, while engaging in max-level quests and battling tougher enemies rewards you with level 65 gear.

Despite the initial frustration of the max gearscore increasing from 625 to 700, this adjustment proves advantageous. Previously, players needed an array of gear sets for different content which required considerable effort and time. Now, collecting just one or two sets efficiently covers your needs. The process of upgrading gear has become significantly faster although it can be expensive it’s definitely more accessible. M3 expeditions reward players with gear which drops at 695 to 700 gearscore, and gear can be crafted at the gypsum kiln using materials acquired during expeditions.

The introduction of artifacts adds an exciting dimension to character progression. These powerful max-level items, featuring set perks which enhance your character substantially. Although not guaranteed, artifacts are reasonably accessible and farmable through specific activities like world bosses and mutation 1 expeditions, allowing you to equip one jewellery, one weapon, and one armor artifact gives you a solid base to work with.

Crafting and gathering, a pivotal aspect of character progression, has seen its max levels extend from 200 to 250. While crafting and gathering remain a substantial grind, noteworthy improvements include the introduction of golden scarabs which enable the selection of two gear perks with only one random perk roll. Additionally, crafting now offers the option to use items to guarantee all perks on your gear, making it an invaluable choice for character customization.

The crafting and gathering system in New World stands out as a real strong point of the game, arguably unparalleled in other MMOs, and being a crafter gatherer can prove to be very financially rewarding when you eventually max everything out. Although initially overwhelming, it becomes intuitive and rewarding, complemented by the aptitude system that continues to provide rewards even after maxing out a craft. This robust and gratifying system adds depth to the overall character progression, ensuring that the journey remains engaging and fulfilling.

Combat in New World is a high-speed, action-packed system that requires players to juggle ability activations, attacks, blocking, and strategic dodging. The unique twist here is the limitation to two weapons, each with three abilities and an optional heartrune ability. For seasoned MMO players, this simplicity might seem less engaging compared to games with a plethora of abilities.

As a dedicated fan of action combat MMOs, especially playing as a Tank, I find solace in the control this combat style provides. Timing abilities strategically, considering cooldowns, and planning their sequence for maximum impact adds a strategic layer. The combat system’s depth increases with passives and gear perks, introducing factors like using heavy attacks for damage buffs or specific movements to reduce ability cooldowns, going beyond the straightforward activation of six abilities.

Navigating the intricacies of the action combat system requires heightened awareness, balancing attacks, dodging enemy assaults, and smart blocking to manage unavoidable damage. In challenging content, mastering these mechanics becomes crucial for success. New World underscores the significance of damage evasion, even for Tanks, emphasizing skilful dodging over relying solely on blocking. It encourages finding a balance between defensive manoeuvres and maximizing damage output.

PvE Content

Upon its initial release, New World faced criticism for its lack of long-term content, but over the past two years, the game has undergone a significant transformation with numerous updates, expansions, and additions, breathing new life into the virtual realm.

The Brimstone Sands expansion in 2022 marked a turning point, setting a higher standard for New World’s content. The subsequent 2023 expansion saw a beginner zone revamped into a captivating max-level area, introducing fresh content, formidable bosses, and elite areas.

Seasonal content, initiated in 2023, brought a battle pass-style progression system, complete with free and premium reward tracks, alongside compelling season quests and storylines. These rewards, notably enhanced with the recent expansion and big changes, have added value and incentive for both casual and dedicated players.

In-game events, while frequent, have seen a decline in value post-expansion due to gear drops falling below max gearscore. Nevertheless, these events serve as a helpful entry point for newcomers and returnees. Over time, they’ve become somewhat repetitive and less enjoyable, often featuring a single elite boss attracting a multitude of players, causing significant lag. The first few days are manageable, but dwindling player interest makes later attempts insurmountable, emphasizing the need to participate early for a realistic chance of completion.

The recent expansion brought refinements to the expedition system, streamlining modes into story and mutations 1 to 3 for improved group formation. The upcoming group finder, set to launch, will further enhance cross-server group formation. However, the downside is the requirement to purchase the expansion for access to mutated expeditions. The difficulty scaling has significantly increased, with m1 presenting a challenge similar to past normal expeditions. M2 introduces a substantial difficulty spike, manageable for organized groups but less ideal for random formations. M3, even more challenging than past m10, brings a heightened difficulty level. While appreciating the increased challenge and the removal of the need to grind through 10 mutation levels, a new issue arises. Inexperienced players attempting m2 without understanding the increased difficulty can hinder groups, especially when achieving a silver score unlocks m3. Weekly mutation limits compound the impact of less-experienced participants on challenging content.

PvP Content

On the PvP front, the introduction of influence races offers a refreshing addition, injecting new life into the PvP scene. For players seeking long-term engagement, the PvP aspect, including wars, OPR, arena battles, and overland PvP, proves crucial. Joining a company, immersing oneself in the PvP environment, and vying for faction dominance not only provides a sense of camaraderie but also adds a distinct MMO flavour to the experience.

Endgame Content

The game developers have been hard at work crafting a more lasting endgame experience. They’ve beefed up the offerings with a 10-player raid and an impressive 20-player elite raid. And now, with leaderboards for nearly every aspect of the game, there’s this push for healthy competition. They want us all striving for improvement, aiming for better scores, and mastering content quicker and more efficiently. There are even rewards like titles and costumes for those who conquer the tougher challenges on these leaderboards. But here’s the thing—after a handful of Mutation 3 Expeditions, the pool of truly exciting stuff to do starts to dry up. That’s where the magic of guild life and diving into PvP becomes almost essential. It’s the secret sauce for keeping the New World journey exciting and enduring.

Other Content

While New World has made strides in certain areas, there’s still a noticeable gap in supplementary activities and content. The introduction of mounts is a significant positive, offering a decent levelling system for a few hours of engaging content. Housing, although functional with storage containers and trophies, falls short of providing the creative freedom found in other games. The new transmog system is a welcome addition, but unfortunately, it demands extensive grinding for tokens (I’ve earned only 1 in approximately 80 hours of gameplay) or requires purchasing them from the store, making it less accessible. On a positive note, the music skill and minigame add a nice touch, providing a means to acquire temporary buffs and benefits for your character. However, the overall range of extra activities in New World is somewhat limited, lacking the diversity to keep players consistently engaged. Elements like roleplaying are not as prominent, contributing to the trend of many players enjoying the game seasonally rather than as their primary MMO.

While New World boasts a solid core player base, it still carries a seasonal undertone. Within established companies, many players have prolonged periods of inactivity. Major releases trigger substantial spikes in active players, leading to the creation of new servers to accommodate the surge. However, this influx is short-lived, resulting in a subsequent decline, prompting the merging of new servers with existing ones. This cyclical process perpetuates the issue, leaving players dealing with persistent queues without a definitive solution.

The communal dynamics within New World exhibit a mixed bag of experiences. The inherent competitiveness, coupled with a degree of toxicity, is notably prevalent, primarily stemming from the game’s PvP orientation. Unfortunately, this toxicity often spills over into PvE scenarios. For new players attempting to grasp mechanics or navigate expeditions, the experience can be particularly daunting. Even for seasoned players, there’s a noticeable lack of patience, with individuals exiting expeditions at the slightest hiccup. Sarcastic comments and unwarranted complaints about different approaches, irrespective of effectiveness, further contribute to a challenging atmosphere.

The team behind New World consistently delivers fresh content and game fixes, keeping players in the loop through social media updates, blogs, and videos. Personally, I find their communication with players to be quite effective. Over the past two years, there have been some decisions that sparked debate, often leaning more towards player overreactions than outright bad choices. However, credit is due to their commitment to enhancing and evolving the game, particularly in terms of accessibility and new player friendliness.

Initially, New World operated on a buy-to-access model, with the in-game store featuring premium currency for cosmetic and housing purchases. Major expansions, like Brimstone Sands, were included free of charge. In 2023, the monetization strategy evolved, introducing a seasonal battle pass with a premium option and requiring a purchase for the latest expansion, Rise of the Angry Earth. This shift seems fair considering the two years of content provided for a £30 initial investment, and the reasonably priced expansion upgrade. If you don’t want to pay a regular subscription fee for an MMO then New World is up there with one of the best options for a game that provides many hours of content for just the initial upfront fee with no forced purchases or heavy pay to win or skip aspects, you will however likely need to buy yearly expansions in the future.

Upcoming content includes a new cross-server group tool designed to make it easier to form teams for doing content, and as we move into 2024 we can expect frequent updates and new expeditions, the introduction of new weapons and a yearly expansion. More information on New Worlds plan for the year is expected soon.

In New World, the emphasis is squarely on the journey rather than the destination. From navigating through levels and unraveling the story to upgrading character skills and gear, engaging in mutated expeditions, and participating in wars, the initial experiences are captivating, drawing players in with the allure of breath-taking landscapes, immersive combat, and intricate crafting. However, as one invests more time, the realization sets in – the game lacks the substantial content needed to sustain long-term engagement. It feels more like a seasonal MMO, drawing players back only for updates or expansions before slipping into the background until the next release—an aspect that raises concerns for a title that’s only two years old. In contrast, other MMOs have successfully retained players for extended periods, offering a sense of progression and discovery that New World appears to lack.

The endgame experience in New World leaves something to be desired, with a noticeable absence of engaging or rewarding activities. While tackling the toughest mutated expeditions is an option, the question remains: why continue doing them? Joining a company and participating in Wars and PvP emerge as the most apparent ways to maintain engagement, particularly if a player finds a company that aligns with their preferences.

Despite its shortcomings, New World’s initial purchase is justifiable. It offers ample hours of enjoyable content and an engaging gaming experience. However, its longevity falls short compared to stalwarts like The Elder Scrolls Online or Final Fantasy 14. These established MMOs not only boast extensive content but also feature intricate narratives and a plethora of detailed side activities that cater to a broader audience, including those interested in roleplaying and housing.

New World feels like a fantastic shell of a potentially amazing MMORPG. If the game’s foundation were layered with the lore, detail, and depth of a major IP, New World would likely be one of the best MMOs around. That prospect might be something we see in the future when Amazon Games unleash their next MMO!

• Regular updates & improvements
• Frequent new Expeditions & PvE content
• Exciting for first time players
• Visuals and Sound Quality
• Character Progression
• Crafting and Gathering System
• Action-Packed Combat System
• Potential for Future Improvement

• Servers are jammed for new updates/expansions
• Seasonal Player Base
• Toxic Community Dynamics
• Endgame Content Limitations
• Limited Supplementary Activities
• Long-Term Engagement Concerns