As New World enters yet another phase of testing with the Aeternum Beta, players are eager to see how the game has evolved and what changes have been made to address the challenges and feedback from previous versions. Amazon Games' MMORPG, set in the mysterious and dangerous world of Aeternum, has had a turbulent development cycle, with several delays, mixed reviews, and a fluctuating player base. The Aeternum Beta was a chance to win back old players, attract new ones, and demonstrate that New World is on the right path. However, the beta delivered both highs and lows. Here’s a breakdown of the good and the very bad aspects of the Aeternum Beta.

The GOOD

1. Visuals and World Design

One of the undeniable strengths of New World has always been its stunning visuals and immersive world design. The Aeternum Beta reaffirms this. Aeternum is beautifully rendered, with breathtaking landscapes, dynamic lighting, and weather effects that make the world feel alive. The lush forests, eerie swamps, towering mountains, and expansive beaches are a visual treat, making exploration feel rewarding. Players praised the attention to detail, from the rustling of leaves to the  New World Gold  ambiance of towns.

The art direction continues to shine, with the world of Aeternum feeling distinct, atmospheric, and rich with lore. The setting, which blends colonial-era themes with supernatural elements, gives New World a unique identity in the MMORPG space.

2. Combat Improvements

One of the more promising aspects of the Aeternum Beta was the noticeable improvements in combat mechanics. Combat in New World has always been action-based, with a focus on positioning, dodging, and timing. In earlier phases, combat felt clunky and unresponsive, but in the beta, it feels more fluid and impactful. Weapon variety has expanded, with more meaningful choices between different playstyles, whether you're a sword-and-shield tank, a fire staff mage, or a musket-wielding sharpshooter.

Animations have been polished, making abilities and attacks feel more connected. Weapon abilities now feel more responsive, and hit detection has been improved, leading to fewer frustrating moments where attacks seemingly missed for no reason. Overall, combat has taken significant strides toward becoming more engaging.

3. Crafting and Gathering System

New World’s crafting and gathering systems have always been strong points, and the Aeternum Beta has refined these further. The economy is player-driven, and gathering resources from the world feels natural and rewarding. Whether mining ores, chopping down trees, or fishing in a tranquil stream, the gathering mechanics remain satisfying. Crafting allows players to invest in a wide variety of professions, from weapon and armor crafting to potion brewing and cooking.

The balance between gathering resources and crafting high-quality items has been fine-tuned, making professions feel like a viable and rewarding alternative to combat-focused play. It provides a sense of progression outside of dungeons and PvP.

The VERY BAD

1. Server Stability and Queue Times

One of the most glaring issues during the Aeternum Beta was server stability. As eager players flocked to experience the latest changes, many were greeted with long queue times and frequent disconnects. This is particularly frustrating for an MMORPG, where consistent server performance is crucial to player retention.

While beta phases are designed to test and stress servers, the extent of these issues led to concerns that New World might face the same problems at launch. Server queues lasting hours and unexpected crashes meant that many players couldn’t fully experience the beta. Amazon Games will need to ensure that these issues are resolved before the game’s official launch, as poor server performance has killed the momentum of  buy New World Coins  many MMORPGs in the past.

2. Questing System

Despite its visual splendor, the questing system in New World remains one of its weakest points. In the Aeternum Beta, players found themselves once again trudging through repetitive and uninspired quests. The "kill X enemies" or "gather Y items" structure became monotonous quickly, with little variation in objectives or storytelling. While the world design is superb, the questing content feels disconnected, as if it doesn’t fully capitalize on the rich lore and worldbuilding.

Many players expected deeper, more engaging quests that offered more narrative depth or meaningful choices, but the Aeternum Beta left much to be desired in this department. Without improvements in quest diversity, New World risks alienating players who want more than just combat and crafting.

3. Endgame Concerns

Another major concern coming out of the beta is the lack of clarity surrounding endgame content. While the leveling experience has been improved, and mid-game content feels more polished, players expressed concerns about what awaits them once they hit max level. MMORPG players expect a robust endgame that includes PvP, challenging dungeons, raids, and world bosses. However, the beta gave little insight into what long-term content will look like.

Without a strong endgame, many MMORPGs struggle to retain their player base. Amazon Games will need to address this before launch to ensure that New World has the longevity it needs to compete with other titles in the genre.

Conclusion: A Tale of Two Worlds

The Aeternum Beta for New World showcased both the game’s potential and its pitfalls. On the one hand, the game offers a beautiful world, engaging combat, and a satisfying crafting system. On the other hand, server issues, a lackluster questing experience, and concerns about endgame content weigh heavily on its future.

Amazon Games has the pieces in place to create something special, but it will need to address the "very bad" aspects of the Aeternum Beta if it hopes to make New World a lasting success. With launch looming, all eyes are on Aeternum, and players are hoping that their journey will be worth it.