New World: Aeternum’s Upcoming Season 10: A Turning Point for Amazon’s MMORPG
Nearly a year has passed since the relaunch of New World: Aeternum, Amazon’s MMORPG that integrated console versions and cross-play. Despite the initial excitement, the anticipated spike in active players did not materialize as intended. However, the tide may turn next week with the much-anticipated launch of Season 10, which is already generating buzz within the MMO community.
The MMORPG landscape is rather stagnant at the moment, though a few notable developments are on the horizon. Games like Guild Wars 2 are set to release their Visions of Eternity expansion later this month, while The Elder Scrolls Online will introduce the Writhing Wall event. Additionally, Blizzard is rolling out the Alpha test for World of Warcraft: Midnight. Yet, these games, while beloved, have long histories. In contrast, the only new MMORPG release expected this year is Pax Dei‘s version 1.0, which appears to be lacking in polish and features.
launched in September 2021, New World initially captured players’ attention, praised by none other than Jeff Bezos for its successful debut. Unfortunately, it soon faltered due to insufficient content, prompting many players, including myself, to abandon the game.
Despite the challenges, the development team at Amazon is making strides. The upcoming update, Nighthaven, promises to offer one of the largest and most intricate maps in the game’s history. A recent developer diary highlighted its vertical design, showcasing stunning macabre aesthetics inspired by Eastern European horror, complete with ominous castles, gloomy dungeons, and expansive pine forests.
Nighthaven is set to expand gameplay significantly, featuring:
- Falling Chandeliers: Shoot these to drop them onto adversaries or risk them falling on you, emphasizing the need to “look up.”
- Throwables and Flammables: Utilize torches or fire staffs to ignite spider webs and rat nests, building upon mechanics introduced in Cutlass Keys.
- Doors and Secrets: Explore hidden areas behind various types of doors, including bookcases and magic-locked doors.
- Arcana Tarot System: Collect 22 major Arcana cards with unique twists to unlock tarot towers, elite chests, and caches, creating engaging puzzles.
- New Exploration Features: Navigate mazes, evade lasers, and utilize water jets and elevators for vertical navigation.
- Jump Pads: Incorporating mechanics from the Outpost Rush mode to enhance open-world exploration.
As players delve into Nighthaven, they will encounter numerous horror-inspired foes, including vampires, werewolves, and Frankenstein-like constructs, all woven into a captivating new narrative. However, the most significant enhancements may lie within the endgame content.
The introduction of a challenging new 10-man raid titled Isle of Night is on the horizon, promising a formidable PvE experience with multiple new enemy types and intricate boss mechanics that require teamwork. Furthermore, a Catacombs mode will direct players into procedurally generated dungeons with a time limit, increasing the element of strategy in deciding whether to press onward for more rewards or escape before time runs out.
Progression aspects are also evolving, as the level cap increases to 70 and the Gear Score elevates from 725 to 800. All gear rated 700 and above will be upgradeable through the introduction of the new Umbral system.
In a first for New World, the new gear obtained from PvP battles, the Catacombs, and the Isle of Night raid will feature distinctive set bonuses, enhancing the importance of assembling complete gear sets.
Positive sentiments are echoing throughout the MMO community, as demonstrated by discussions on forums like the MMORPG subreddit. With Nighthaven set to launch on October 13 for both PC and consoles, players are eager to see if this could signal a significant resurgence for Amazon’s offering. More importantly, there is hope that the studio has gleaned valuable lessons in preparation for its upcoming The Lord of the Rings MMO.
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