Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 35
  2. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Oct 7, 2021
    85
    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.
  2. Oct 2, 2021
    82
    From the moment I began my journey in New World I felt like, outside of the specific world and story, I had been here and done this many times before, in many other MMOs. That said, New World does those familiar things very competently. It looks great and controls well, either with mouse and keyboard, or the slightly less optimized controller. Survival mechanics and crafting are core elements and not side gigs, but luckily, they are engaging and layered with depth. New World rewards the player for just about everything, all the time, and there is always something to do, whether fighting, farming or exploring and questing. It’s accessible to solo players and embraces the PvP and coop communities with a great deal of content. All MMORPGs are major time commitments by definition, so whether New World can hold your attention long term is probably a function of your expectations, and whether you connect with what the game has to offer. New World probably won’t ever surprise you, but it won’t disappoint you either.
  3. Nov 22, 2021
    80
    New World is such a large MMO that we will have to spend our time in the vast world of Aethernum. While some mechanics or functionalities don't have much of a place nowadays, it has other things that seem to me to be genuine and cutting edge in terms of massively multiplayer online development.
  4. Nov 8, 2021
    80
    I’m not going to pretend for a minute that I’m unaware of the fact that some people aren’t exactly happy with New World‘s current state, nor will I pretend that I disagree with everything. The game isn’t perfect, and it absolutely has some growing to do. I’m not going to pretend that I dislike the game, either, however. New World is a fun, solid MMORPG packed with plenty of enjoyable content that will keep players busy for a long, long time. Sure, it might have some imperfections, but I’m hopeful that the game will address all of those as it continues to grow—and I look forward to being a part of its community while it does.
  5. Oct 25, 2021
    80
    While young and not perfected, New World is Amazon's first hit, a MMORPG with some classic aspects to it while others are refreshing. Its action gameplay, craft and endearing world building make for a pleasant journey, especially with no subscription. The rest will depend on Amazon capacity to entertain its community in the month to come.
  6. Oct 14, 2021
    80
    New World has every element that an MMORPG fan needs to spend hours in front of the screen while they level up their characters and jobs nevertheless, its lack of variety of enemies and activities make it repetitive and tedious very soon. The PvP quests are great, but limited to high levels, while PvE delivers what's set to accomplish. New World can be quite entertaining if you have a lot of free time and patience, but if you don't, you might want to look somewhere else.
  7. Oct 11, 2021
    80
    While New World isn’t a World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV killer, it does prove that a new MMO can succeed. We’ll have to wait to see how they capitalize on their momentum.
  8. Oct 10, 2021
    80
    New World does a lot of things right. Combat and crafting work very well. The world looks stunning and the game has one of the best sound designs in the history of video games. However, be sure you know what you sign up for. If you are looking for a quest-based and story-driven MMO like WoW, then New World will not make you happy. But if you enjoy exploration and PvP in a MMO, then this game is for you.
  9. Oct 5, 2021
    80
    In New World, Amazon finally has the hit it has been chasing. However, as an MMO – with a one-time entry fee – the key part is going to be if they stick around and treat the community well with thoughtful additions, instead of asking people to shell out on pages upon pages of cosmetics. The foundation is strong, and if nothing else, it feels good to batter things with a spear.
  10. Sep 30, 2021
    80
    New World has just had its global launch and it is obvious that it deserves some adjustments, especially at the server or PvP level. But it is nonetheless a good MMO that should delight players avid for competition or craftsmanship. The universe is catchy and the desire to travel from region to region makes us want to know more about Aeternum. The progression of our character is free, which allows us to have a certain ease in the approach to the game.
  11. Sep 29, 2021
    80
    It is obvious that players will ask for small adjustments and additions to be made on New World, but let's not forget that the game is making its premiere and that it is already very satisfactory for its debut. It has mechanics that will appeal to players who are tired of classic MMOs and they will find a variety of elements that are very relevant. Crafting is no longer useless: it is now necessary to have professions to have a viable game experience in late and end game. The world of Aeternum will be able to take players on a journey in a new MMO that should continue to grow in beauty over time.
  12. Nov 20, 2021
    75
    New World is a great theme park at its inauguration. Not all attractions are ready, some work well but need to be run in and others are still in the planning stage. There is absolutely no doubt that the foundations for something great are all there, benefiting from a colossal budget and substantially infinite resources, but it is equally true that what we now have in our hands is an introduction and nothing more.
  13. Oct 25, 2021
    75
    Do I regret spending 70 hours playing New World? Absolutely not, but I hoped for something better, especially in terms of endgame. New World is a great MMO and a poor RPG. The developers need to keep working and improving their game, and I heartily hope the will, because there's considerable potential here.
  14. Oct 22, 2021
    75
    I thoroughly enjoyed New World. I wish there was more guidance in some areas in-game, and the game does seem geared towards PvP rather than PvE. Despite these minor gripes, the game is incredible.
  15. Oct 6, 2021
    75
    New World is a great title for new MMO fans to get themselves lost in, but it may be a struggle to entice older fans of the genre to leave the worlds they know.
  16. Oct 11, 2021
    72
    New World brings you into the mysterious world of Aeternum after sailing into a wild storm that leaves you stranded. While there are many things to do in New World, it can often feel tedious to make any progress as the leveling system relies heavily on the player grinding out tasks.
  17. Oct 26, 2021
    70
    Amazon's MMO is an ambitious, player-led experience, but that doesn't forgive a lack of narrative or worldbuilding. For every good idea or unique concept, it feels like it's missing the chance to take the next big step and do something more interesting...And yet, I find myself returning to Aeternum's shores just to passively enjoy its community spirit and stick it to rival factions through the community board. I just wish there was something bigger to hold me there for longer.
  18. Oct 25, 2021
    70
    I can’t recommend New World to anyone who isn’t already 100% invested in the idea of faction politics and PvP, but there’s a solid foundation here. Give it an expansion or two, and this could turn into something truly special.
  19. Oct 22, 2021
    70
    The crowd who’ll be left out in the cold with New World are those looking for a rich narrative adventure akin to your typical MMO. That’s not really here right now, and it's unclear what plans Amazon has in store for it. Maybe in the future, with ongoing updates, New World can evolve into something truly special.
  20. Oct 21, 2021
    70
    New World is not a paradise for all comers by any means. It's an escape for those willing to put up with some oddly misbalanced elements to get a taste of some really excellent PvP encounters. If you have a guild ready to grind out results and become kind of the mountain then New World is worth a look.
  21. Oct 19, 2021
    70
    There is no other way to explain it other than an all-encompassing “One more iron ore, one more dungeon run.” I’m a sucker for it. I can’t help it. I am continually swept away by the tide of grinding, progression, experience bars, little chats here and there with strangers, battles over iron ore, faction skirmishers, putting a new stove in my house, and finally hitting level 60. I am a sailor slumped on a beach huffing on a bright pink flower. My flatmate says, bleary-eyed, “Go to bed. It’s daytime outside and those trees aren’t real.”
  22. Oct 16, 2021
    70
    I was admittedly surprised with how thoroughly I enjoyed my time with New World. From the freeform character and weapon progression to the resource gathering and faction dynamics, there’s a lot to explore and experience. That said, New World very much feels like an MMO in a very early state. There’s not a ton of Expeditions, there’s no mounts, and there’s an obvious need for balancing with features like Siege. Luckily, MMOs often get better as they age, and if Amazon Games can build upon this great foundation, they’ll have a surefire hit on their hands.
  23. Oct 14, 2021
    70
    New World is an MMORPG for fans of the genre. Although the work that Amazon Game Studios presents has interesting ideas for its multiplayer section, this experience will not change your opinion regarding this type of games.
  24. Oct 13, 2021
    70
    New World is one of the most beginner-friendly MMOs available, but its lacking quests and PvE makes me worried about the future. The PvP, however, is a blast.
  25. Oct 8, 2021
    69
    Posh PvP carnage featuring a for the genre exceptional combat system. Plot, PvE and endgame are however more limited.
  26. Nov 22, 2021
    65
    New World is an mmo that could be straight out of 2010. It hardly adds any new ideas to the genre and therefore feels dated in content. The faction system offers interesting possibilities for wars between players, but is not yet balanced. New World demands a lot of time from its players, but does not actually give anything in return that we have not seen before. Graphically, everything is fine, and although the game has microtransactions, they are only of a cosmetic nature. There is no subscription: for the entrance fee, the entire base game is open to you.
  27. Oct 28, 2021
    65
    Amazon has done a decent job with New World with its exquisite visuals and overall environment. They just need to smooth out those rough edges and implement some mounts!
  28. Nov 30, 2021
    60
    An MMORPG with great potential - but there’s so much work to be done. It is, however, already highly addictive for those who are patient and forgiving.
  29. Nov 12, 2021
    60
    As it stands a little over a month after launch, New World offers a solid PvP-focused, player-driven MMORPG experience that has long been missing from the genre, albeit one seriously held back by outdated quest design and a lack of interesting endgame content. Whether that changes in the months ahead remains to be seen, but for now, New World will likely only appeal to those who crave PvP and wish to paint the map of Aeternum the color of their chosen faction, repetitive questing and lack of content be damned.
  30. Nov 11, 2021
    60
    New World is off to a rocky start, but if Amazon can right the ship and address real player concerns, it has the chance to be something really special. But right now, it’s an okay experience overall that leaves me wanting more in order to stick around.
  31. Nov 10, 2021
    60
    New World is a very pretty survival-MMORPG hybrid that saves its best moments for the endgame – but you have to be willing to grind like hell to get to them.
  32. Oct 29, 2021
    60
    New World has many of the fundamentals down, but does little to innovate or bring true charm to the experience, making it feel much too generic and boring after just the first few handfull of hours.
  33. Oct 26, 2021
    60
    New World has the mechanical foundations of a decent MMO, with passable combat and good visuals, but its hopes are extinguished at the hands of dreadful PvE design. The few distinctive experiences that it does have, locked away behind high levels as if the game knows it has precious little to offer, are not worth the hours of mind numbing grind to get there.
  34. Oct 23, 2021
    60
    New World's engaging crafting and faction rivalries are held back by abysmal PvE and a boring world.
  35. Oct 8, 2021
    60
    A stellar crafting experience and surprisingly slick combat aren’t enough to compensate for the flaws in New World’s humdrum and frustrating quest design.
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This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.
  1. Oct 22, 2021
    One could say New World is basic. And it definitely has some weird design choices scattered around progression, economy and world. There’s the graphics card issue too. And yet, something as simple as existing in Aeternum is fun and amazing: loved the aesthetics, the sounds, the animations, the combat, the progression. An experience too appealing to ignore.
  2. Oct 24, 2021
    At the time of writing, I can happily say that Amazon’s new foray into the world of massively multiplayer role-playing is a tentative success. There’s the core of a really phenomenal experience here that with continuous love and attention can blossom into an experience worthy of standing the test of time. What’s next for New World? I’m not sure. But for the foreseeable future I intend to play along and find out.
  3. Sep 30, 2021
    While I love the feeling of crafting my own stuff, slowly increasing the areas that I’m strong enough to explore, and fastidiously upping all my gathering and crafting skills, I can see those charms fading rapidly as the activities become somewhat rote. The dynamics involved in faction wars and territory control seem to be the peppy antidote for the never-ending rock farm in various undead shacks and homesteads. As with other games that lean into this kind of emergent gameplay (RIP Shadowbane), some of New World will be what players shape it into. [Early Impressions]
  4. Nov 4, 2021
    New World’s ideas come across as very solid, but the more I’ve engaged with it, the more I see problems. Those problems have nothing to do with the foundation of New World, however. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with New World besides the economy and lack of main missions, and only the former can destroy the game. The rest of the issues can be fixed with time and enough attention to the details. We’ll see how Amazon Games decides to proceed with what’s working and what doesn’t as I work towards the end game.
  5. Oct 6, 2021
    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. You'll never be short of tasks to complete, but sometimes the narrative will leave you feeling uninspired. It needs a little more emotion injected into it. [Early Access Provisional Score = 80]
  6. Oct 2, 2021
    Will the early wave of players stick around? It depends on whether New World can stand up to their machinations. If each server becomes dominated by a single faction, or the PvP can’t hold people’s attention, the game seems doomed to wither on the vine. The game itself isn’t really the main indicator of New World’s success — it’s the vibrant scenes built up around it in Discords and social media, where players are planning their best approach to claim the island against all takers. [Impressions]
  7. The thing is, though, that I don't exactly hate it. I've chosen to be a carpenter and spend a lot of my days in the forest, strip cutting the whole place with a song in my heart and the sun at my back. There are a truly dizzying number of achievements in New World, and I've got my sights set on the Master Carpenter one, partly out of spite at this point. And, you know, a good MMO should facilitate you playing how you want. It's just, I do also really want to do the dungeons. [Review in Progress]
  8. Oct 6, 2021
    New World is a stunning and technical and visual masterpiece, but it is still very clearly in its infancy. What is available from launch day, however, is enjoyable, immersive, and polished, with great opportunities for growth. As more content is released, and activities are diversified, New World has the potential to become a powerhouse MMO on the same level as World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV. [Review in Progress]
User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 929 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Oct 14, 2021
    10
    Awesome game so far. I hope they will bring us a lot more to explore with new content.
  2. Oct 16, 2021
    0
    Game's population has greatly diminished now in Nov 2021, more than half of the playerbase. This game needs the very minimum of six months toGame's population has greatly diminished now in Nov 2021, more than half of the playerbase. This game needs the very minimum of six months to a year of further development time if the developers aren't intentionally sinking it via very strange counter-productive patches, but I'm now not doubting that this is due to become a repeat of Elder Scrolls Online. The severity of the condition of this game is without question in disaster territory despite the initial popularity and huge promise it had. I genuinely don't think there will be permanent meaningful changes to this game as many of the issues seem to be fundamentally ingrained like copy/paste maps and areas, all enemies are replicated models. It is one extreme game-breaking problem after another, either being discovered or formed. The invulnerability problem and the development circumstances surrounding it is really bad on AGS' behalf as there is a proven inability to foresee a client-based problem that is reportedly very basic in game development and it seems similar problems will occur in the future. There is no meaningful objective to the game or reason to level and build your character like a normal MMO. Questing is an absolute dire experience throughout all progress. Cross the whole map with normal movement speed > kill under-levelled enemies or collect things > cross the map > repeat. The mechanically good crafting system feels nearly completely pointless. You can spend several hours gathering materials and levelling the various crafting skills to create something yourself only for it to be peanuts in the auction house equivalent (trading station). This system is now completely rebroken as of 27th October and has worsened. I spent hours attempting to be skilled enough in level to make a tool myself, never to reach it with such low material yield and then find that you can purchase it for next to nothing. Full Review »
  3. Oct 15, 2021
    9
    New world has a very good foundation and a beautiful enviroment.
    I had a lot of fun playing it so far, but it still needs more work when it
    New world has a very good foundation and a beautiful enviroment.
    I had a lot of fun playing it so far, but it still needs more work when it comes to quests and making them more interesting.
    Full Review »