Is New World a Grind Game? A Deep Dive into Aeternum’s Progression
Yes, New World undeniably contains elements of grind, but whether it is a “grind game” is a more nuanced question. The initial release in 2021 was heavily criticized for its repetitive tasks, particularly in the endgame. However, Amazon Games has made significant updates and improvements that have reshaped the progression experience. Today, while grinding remains present, it’s been largely streamlined and now coexists with a more diverse set of engaging activities. The amount of grinding needed is more than other games, but whether it’s worth the investment is up to the individual player.
Understanding the Grind in New World
To accurately assess New World’s grind factor, it’s crucial to define what constitutes “grind” in the context of MMOs. Generally, it refers to performing repetitive tasks for extended periods to achieve a desired goal, such as leveling up, acquiring specific gear, or mastering a trade skill.
In New World, these elements are present:
- Leveling: While the initial leveling experience (1-65) can be enjoyable due to exploration and questing, some players may find certain quest types repetitive. However, with mounts now available and changes to quest design, this process has become significantly faster and more engaging than at launch.
- Gear Score: The gear score grind, now tied to Expertise, involves increasing the power of your equipment. This used to be a significant bottleneck, but the introduction of Gypsum and other methods for raising Expertise has made it far more manageable and accessible.
- Trade Skills: Mastering trade skills like crafting, gathering, and refining can be time-consuming. Certain skills, such as Furnishing, are particularly notorious for their steep requirements. While trade skills are not essential for all players, those who wish to craft their own gear or participate in the economy will inevitably encounter this grind.
- Faction Reputation: Increasing your standing within your chosen faction often requires repetitive missions, which can feel grindy, especially at higher tiers.
- Endgame Activities: Many endgame activities, such as running expeditions and participating in wars, require a significant investment of time and effort to achieve optimal performance. Farming for Best in Slot (BiS) gear, with specific perks, can also involve a considerable amount of grinding.
How New World Has Evolved
It’s important to acknowledge that New World is not the same game it was at launch. Amazon Games has actively listened to player feedback and implemented numerous changes to address the concerns surrounding grinding. These include:
- Mounts: The introduction of mounts has drastically reduced travel time, making questing and exploration significantly less tedious.
- Expertise System: The revamped Expertise system provides more avenues for increasing gear score, reducing reliance on specific, repetitive activities.
- Quest Improvements: Changes to quest design, including more engaging storylines and objectives, have made the leveling experience more enjoyable.
- Increased Resource Nodes: Increased resource nodes have made gathering less time-consuming.
- New Content: Regular content updates introduce new expeditions, events, and activities, providing more variety and reducing the feeling of repetition.
Is the Grind Worth It?
Ultimately, the “worth” of the grind in New World depends on individual player preferences and goals. If you enjoy exploration, crafting, PvP combat, and social interaction, you may find the grind to be a worthwhile investment of your time. The game offers a diverse range of activities to pursue, and many players find satisfaction in the sense of progression and accomplishment that comes from overcoming challenges.
However, if you are primarily seeking a fast-paced, action-oriented MMO with minimal grinding, New World may not be the best fit. While the game has made significant strides in reducing the grind, it remains a core element of the experience.
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New World FAQs
1. How long does it take to reach max level in New World?
It generally takes between 100 to 200 hours of playtime to reach the max level of 65 in New World. This varies depending on your playstyle, quest efficiency, and whether you focus on other activities like gathering and crafting.
2. Is New World good for solo players?
Yes, New World offers a reasonably good experience for solo players, especially with the introduction of mounts. You can level up, explore the world, and engage in various activities without needing to join a party. However, some endgame content, such as expeditions, is best experienced with a group.
3. What is the hardest trade skill to level in New World?
Furnishing is widely considered the most difficult trade skill to level in New World due to its high material requirements and the relative lack of profitable crafting options.
4. Is New World pay-to-win?
New World is generally not considered pay-to-win. While there are cosmetic items and quality-of-life improvements available for purchase, they do not provide a significant advantage in combat or progression.
5. What is the current player count for New World?
Player counts fluctuate, but according to recent data (September 2023), New World has an average of around 11,887 concurrent players on Steam. Keep in mind that this number only reflects players on Steam and does not include those playing through other platforms.
6. What should I do when I hit level 60/65 in New World?
When you reach level 60/65, focus on increasing your Expertise from 500 to 600, upgrade your gear, and engaging with end-game content. Utilize the Gypsum system to make raising your expertise as effective as possible. Start participating in Expeditions, Outpost Rush, Wars, and working towards Best in Slot (BiS) gear.
7. Is it worth returning to New World?
Many players feel that New World is worth returning to, especially if you haven’t played since the initial launch. The game has undergone significant improvements and additions, addressing many of the original criticisms.
8. How does New World compare to other MMOs in terms of grind?
Compared to some hardcore MMOs like Black Desert Online (BDO), New World is generally considered less grindy. However, compared to more casual MMOs, New World can still feel quite grindy, especially in the endgame.
9. What is the fastest way to level up weapon mastery in New World?
One of the fastest ways to level up weapon mastery is to head to Channelview Post and Oceanview Post. By aggroing large groups of enemies and killing them quickly, you can gain significant weapon mastery experience.
10. What are the most important professions to focus on at level 60/65 in New World?
Key professions to focus on at level 60/65 include stonecutting, weapon smithing, armor crafting, and jewelcrafting. Crafting your own endgame gear can be more reliable than relying solely on questing or purchasing from other players.
11. How much does Best in Slot (BiS) gear cost in New World?
The cost of Best in Slot (BiS) gear can vary greatly depending on the specific items and perks you are looking for. Highly sought-after items with specific, optimal perks can cost millions of gold.
12. Can you power level other players in New World?
Yes, it is possible to power level other players in New World by completing quests, running expeditions, and participating in other activities together. However, the effectiveness of power leveling depends on the level difference between the players.
13. What is the fastest way to level up in New World in 2024?
The fastest leveling methods involve efficiently completing main story quests, focusing on lucrative side quests, and avoiding time-consuming town board missions unless the rewards are exceptional. Prioritize weapon and attribute point efficiency.
14. How long are you inactive before being kicked from New World?
You will be automatically disconnected from the New World server after being inactive for 20 minutes.
15. What is the story behind New World?
New World puts you in the role of a shipwrecked pirate on the mystical island of Aeternum. The island is rumored to be full of treasures and has ties to an ancient source of power known as Azoth. The island is also inhabited by both corrupted humans and creatures, creating a survival/adventure experience.
In conclusion, New World does have elements of grind, but it is not necessarily a “grind game” in the traditional sense. The game has evolved significantly since its launch, with numerous changes and additions that have reduced the reliance on repetitive tasks. Whether the grind is worth it depends on individual player preferences, and whether you enjoy the other aspects of the game, such as exploration, combat, crafting, and social interaction.