New World Aeternum release date and changes explained

When was the New World Aeternum release date? It wasn’t long ago we were playing the new MMO from Amazon Games, New World, and now it’s back and bigger than ever.

For those that are just hearing about New World Aeternum and are planning to jump into the game without knowing or having played New World, you’re in luck, as Aeternum is a more polished version of New World, and it’s still going to include all the New World content. You’ll play as a pirate, whose ship went down on the coast of the strange island of Aeternum, here’s what the RPG has to offer.

New World Aeternum release date

The New World Aeternum release date was Tuesday, October 15, 2024 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

New World was a PC exclusive when it launched in 2021, but when Aeternum was released, a console port was made available to console players.

Amazon confirmed that crossplay is also available, so you can play with friends on different platforms. The game doesn’t, however, feature cross-progression.

What makes it different from New World? Aeternum was billed as the spiritual successor to New World. Though the game absorbs New World content and the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion, it is a separate game with a more fleshed-out story, world, and a host of new content and characters.

There’s been plenty of confusion around whether New World Aeternum is just a remaster of New World, but the reality is it’s more of a reimagining. Aeternum was also marketed as an action RPG, moving away from the MMO that New World first came out as – though it still very much looks like an MMO, just more solo-friendly and with better combat.

New World Aeternum features

Here are the new features from Aeternum and how it differs from New World:

• Revamped storytelling approach
• Enhanced dialogue
• Ten-player raid
• PvP Zone
• Endgame Soul Trials
• Gear score increase to 725
• Matchmaking
• Crossworld Arenas
• Upleveled Cutlass Keys Zone
• Swimming
• Combat Improvements
• Performance Optimization
• Cross-platform play
• Fresh start worlds

Character archetypes

Aeternum also got seven character archetypes and a whole bunch of customization. Each of the following archetypes can be changed at any point in the game, but it looks like they determine which starting weapons and proficiencies you have.

• Destroyer: A mighty slayer, brutally executing foes with a massive great axe and war hammer.
• Soldier: A fighter by trade, balancing defense and offense with heavy armor and shield, sword and hatchet.
• Ranger: A keen-eyed hunter, scout, and pathfinder, proficient with bow and spear.
• Musketeer: A nimble explorer and adventurer, skilled with rifle and rapier alike.
• Mystic: A scholar-warrior who seeks to master the forces of life and death.
• Swordbearer: A gusty, heavily-armed berserker, wielding a colossal greatsword and broad-bored blunderbuss.
• Occultist: A practitioner of primal elemental arts, commanding the forces of frost and flame.

Now you’re caught up on New World Aeternum, be sure to check out our thoughts in our New World Aeternum preview. Meanwhile, we have the best MMOs to play right now, or if you like the sound of the solo elements, the best RPGs on PC in 2024 are sure to throw up something that catches your eye.