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Evercade Alpha review: authentic countertop arcade fun
4:00 pm | November 7, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: | Comments: Off

Evercade Alpha: one-minute review

If you’re looking for a way to replicate that classic arcade experience at home, then the Evercade Alpha is very easy to recommend. This bite-sized countertop arcade cabinet comes in two flavors, each with its own set of classic Capcom arcade titles. There are also two slots for existing Evercade cartridges - all of which are compatible with the Alpha in addition to the Evercade EXP and Evercade VS consoles.

The cabinet itself is awash with delightful design flourishes, from the swappable marquee cards up top to the official artwork which wraps around the central 8-inch IPS screen. Said screen is simply gorgeous, too; its 8-inch size and 4:3 aspect ratio proved to be perfect for most of the games I tested. Controls are also responsive, whether that be via the onboard arcade stick and buttons or through a third-party controller via the two USB ports on the unit.

It does err on the expensive side, though, making the Evercade Alpha a bit tougher to recommend for folks who aren’t enthusiasts for this kind of thing or don’t already have a decently-sized Evercade cartridge collection. It’s also worth mentioning that most of these games lack any kind of difficulty options, which especially makes fighting games exceptionally hard to clear. You do of course have infinite continues via free play, but this will be irksome to players after a quick, casual arcade session.

Even still, the Evercade Alpha is one of the best retro games console units released this year, and I highly recommend it to anyone chasing a nostalgic arcade experience. Especially with all its quality-of-life additions.

Evercade Alpha

(Image credit: Future)

Evercade Alpha: price and availability

  • $229.99 / £199.99 pre-order price
  • Will be $249.99 / £229.99 after launch
  • Available from November 28, 2024

The Evercade Alpha launches on November 28, 2024, coming in at a retail price of $249.99 / £229.99. However, those who pre-order the unit will be able to get it at the discounted price of $229.99 / £199.99. You can purchase one from a variety of big box retailers including Amazon and Best Buy in the US as well as Funstock, Argos, and Game in the UK.

An Evercade Alpha Deluxe Edition will also be available exclusively at Funstock in the UK. Coming in at £249.99, this version features industry-leading Sanwa arcade buttons, an Evercade Alpha controller, and various goodies including a certificate of authenticity, a poster, and five marquee cards.

You’ve got the choice of two separate units for the Evercade Alpha. The Street Fighter model includes Street Fighter 2 Champion Edition, Street Fighter 2 Turbo, Street Fighter Alpha, Street Fighter Alpha 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3, and Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo. Meanwhile, the Mega Man model packs in Mega Man: The Power Battle, Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters, Carrier Air Wing, Final Fight, Knights of the Round, and Strider. 

Evercade Alpha

(Image credit: Future)

Evercade Alpha: specs

Evercade Alpha: design and features

  • Exceptional cabinet-like build
  • Has options for controller play and a headphone jack
  • Small enough to fit on a countertop

If you’ve ever laid eyes on a traditional arcade cabinet at any point in your life, then you roughly know what to expect from the Evercade Alpha. The unit replicates that angular silhouette, albeit small enough to comfortably fit on top of a counter or a decently-sized gaming desk.

There are lots of lovely design flourishes on the Evercade Alpha. The power switch (situated between the two Evercade cartridge slots at the base of the unit) is shaped like an arcade cabinet coin slot. The marquee card at the top can be swapped out with the extra ones included in the package and, when the unit is switched on, a backlight illuminates the marquee. My review unit is the Street Fighter Edition, and it’s great to see classic arcade unit character artwork wrapped around the central IPS display.

Below the screen are the Evercade Alpha’s on-board controls. This is a six-button setup that’s ideal for fighting games alongside an eight-way octagonal gate stick and three buttons used for starting games, inserting coins for play, and accessing the unit’s built-in menu.

Two side-firing speakers are situated on either side of the unit, and at the bottom below those cartridge slots are a pair of USB ports for controllers, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a switch for adjusting volume. All in all, it’s a rich yet no-nonsense feature set that’s cleverly implemented into the bite-sized arcade machine design.

Evercade Alpha

(Image credit: Future)

Evercade Alpha: performance

  • Accurate and faithful play experience
  • No difficulty options means games can be very hard
  • Super effective CRT filters included

The overall play experience on Evercade Alpha is pretty strong. Controls were responsive across all games tested here, both with the on-board arcade stick controls and more standard controller options via USB. In that regard, I tested the Xbox Wireless Controller, DualSense Wireless Controller, and the 8BitDo Ultimate with the Evercade Alpha, and all worked with the unit after diving into the settings and mapping the controls for each.

The games themselves are of course the stars of the show. Just like with the Evercade EXP and VS consoles, the games feel decently accurate and responsive in comparison to their arcade counterparts. The arcade stick and buttons did take some getting used to, admittedly, though this isn’t the fault of the Alpha itself. Your mileage may vary here, of course, if you’re used to using some of the best fight sticks on the market. But more casual players may need some time before they can reliably throw out Sonic Booms and Shoryukens in Street Fighter 2 Turbo.

One gripe I do have is that these Evercade versions don’t have options for difficulty, neither within the ROMs themselves nor within Evercade’s own operating system. That’s definitely a bummer - difficulty levels are typically available via arcade machine dip switch menus, and these have been emulated on similar devices. It makes many titles pretty difficult to play at a casual level. Hopefully, this is something Blaze Entertainment can implement in a future firmware update for the Alpha.

On the plus side, I was pleasantly surprised by the CRT filter options available on the Evercade Alpha. You can choose a subtle or a strong filter (or turn it off entirely) via the Evercade Alpha menu. This applies to all games, too, so there’s no need to keep reapplying the filter as you cycle through titles. I found the subtle mode to add a good bit of depth to the scene and avoid feeling intrusive or overdone, as is the case with many a CRT filter in old game compilations.

Evercade Alpha

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Evercade Alpha?

Buy it if...

You want an authentic arcade experience at home
Beautiful cabinet design, decently compact size, and a wide selection of games without needing to constantly pop in quarters? The Evercade Alpha is a fantastic and accessible arcade experience from the comfort of your own home.

You already have a decently sized Evercade collection
All of those Evercade cartridges also work on the Evercade Alpha, and they look fantastic on the unit’s phenomenal 8-inch IPS screen.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t have much space
While certainly small compared to a real arcade cabinet, the Evercade Alpha still takes up a good chunk of room in any gaming setup.

You’re on a budget
The Evercade Alpha is expensive, even in its pre-order phase. On top of that, you’ll have to buy any other Evercade cartridges separately and that can add up. I’d only recommend picking one up if you’re planning on starting an Evercade collection.

Also consider...

If the Evercade Alpha doesn’t quite have what you’re looking for, be sure to check out a couple of other Evercade devices that are a bit more budget-friendly. 

Evercade EXP
The Evercade EXP is the brand’s portable console. While it does have some games built-in, it’s also compatible with all Evercade cartridges, making this a cost-effective and portable retro gaming solution.

For more information read our full Evercade EXP review

Evercade VS
The Evercade VS is a dedicated home console for use with your TV at home via HDMI. It’s definitely better suited to smaller screens due to the low-res nature of most Evercade-compatible games, but it’s a solid option if you’re after a cheaper way to build an Evercade collection at home.

For more information read our full Evercade VS review

How I tested the Evercade Alpha

  • Tested for two weeks
  • Used onboard controls and some controllers via USB
  • Played a wide variety of arcade games

I tested the Evercade Alpha Street Fighter Edition over the course of around two weeks. I played games both built-in and via a handful of Evercade cartridges both in my collection and supplied by Blaze Entertainment, including the Toaplan Arcade Collection 3 and the Data East Arcade Collection 2.

While I primarily used the onboard arcade stick controls during testing, I also tried playing games on the Evercade Alpha with a variety of controllers including the DualSense, Xbox Wireless Controller, and the 8BitDo Ultimate.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed November 2024

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum review
4:00 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Robot Vacuums Smart Home | Comments: Off

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus: two-minute review

The Yeedi C12 Pro Plus is great for what it is – a mid-tier robot vacuum that will help keep your floors mostly clean between deep cleanings. If your budget is limited to around $600, it might even be among the best robot vacuums for you. Of course, robot vacuums have come a long way so, if you're able to splurge, it might pale in comparison to some of the competition, though you'll have to pay much more for those other options.

It can't get right up to the edges of rooms, it's limited in the smart home department, and it's a little louder than other options. However, its vacuuming and mopping is good otherwise, and Yeedi seems to finally have cracked the code on mapping open-floor spaces, something I've been harping on since I first reviewed the Yeedi Cube and have continued to have issues with just about every other manufacturer since.

While the eye-catching design of the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus' base station is certainly a plus, the more important factor here is the affordability of this robot vacuum. Even disregarding the fact that it's going to see plenty of deals – as is the nature of Yeedi and Ecovacs products – this is a relatively affordable model. While I consider it mid-tier, it's among the most affordable options out there that include mopping functionality.

So, if you're on a budget but still want that mopping ability and can live with some compromises, then this could be the robovac for you. Read on for my full Yeedi C12 Pro Plus review, where I'll dive deeper into its design and how it performs, so that you can decide for yourself.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum and base station in reviewer's home

My review model, ready to start testing (Image credit: Future)

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus review: price & availability

  • List price: $599.99 (about £470 / AU$900)
  • Available: US
  • Launched: July 2024

Even though Yeedi is owned by Ecovacs, this brand (or sub-brand, rather) seems to only be available in the US. At least this model is slightly more accessible than the Yeedi Cube, not to mention much cheaper than many of the Ecovacs robot vacuums out there.

You will have to make a few concessions for that lower price point. There's no clean and dirty water reservoirs in the base station, and the mopping pad is a flat semicircle rather than spinning discs (which are generally more effective).

You'll also live without quality of life features like mop pad washing and drying – although you can easily remove the mop pad and clean it yourself. So, if you're on a little bit of a budget, you might forgo some conveniences, but this robot vacuum is still a strong contender.

The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop, which has a similar form factor, will set you back just a little more at $699 (about £559 / AU$1,054). Having reviewed that Shark robot vacuum, I do have to say that it runs a little quieter than the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus. But, it doesn't look quite as cool.

If you want to put the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus' value in context, consider the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo, a robot vacuum I gave a nearly perfect score to for its great performance, feature set, and wonderful mapping, not to mention the fact that it comes with a handheld vacuum. While the Yeedi is missing a lot of the features, and isn't quite as good when it comes to performance, it's also about double in price at $1,199.99 (about £9500 / AU$1,800).

  • Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus specs

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus review: design

  • Attractive and unusual looking base station
  • Anti-tangling brushroll
  • Have to manually switch out backplate for mopping function

Since the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus is mid-tier, it's a bit more stripped down and a little less automated than many brands' newest, flagship models. Despite that, this robot vacuum has some aesthetic appeal.

Available in black or white colorways, the base station's dust bin is actually transparent, showcasing the red metal filter inside that just demands attention. Instead of trying to be discreet, the base station is bold, and that's something I appreciate.

Close up of transparent dock dustbin on Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum

Unusually, the dock dustbin is clear, so you can see the filter and debris (Image credit: Future)

Since it doesn't have water reservoirs, it also doesn't take up a ton of space. There's just a dustbin into which the (small) onboard dust cup self-empties after every use. At 1.5 liters, the dock bin is smaller than many competitors', but should still hold a decent amount of dust and debris. It pops right out with a push of a button, making it easy to empty out every few weeks.

As far as the robot vacuum itself, it has the usual round shape with the protruding center. There's a bumper on the front for when it runs into stuff – I'll talk about object avoidance below, but let's just say it needs the bumper. And there are three buttons on top for basic controls.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum flipped upside down to show underside, along with mopping and vacuuming backplates

There are separate backplates for mopping and vacuuming (Image credit: Future)

There's just one side brush here, but at least the roller underneath is of the anti-tangling variety. There are actually two backplates that come with the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus – one if you just want to vacuum and one to add mopping functionality. The latter adds a 0.4 liter water reservoir and a flat mopping pad that will vibrate and apply downward pressure on the floor as it goes about its business. Since it can't retract this mopping pad, unlike more expensive models that have the spinning mop pads, it will just avoid carpeting when in mopping mode.

  • Design score: 4 out of 5

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus review: performance

  • Surprisingly good vacuuming, including pet hair
  • Solid mopping but doesn't get to the edges of rooms
  • Is a bit louder and has mediocre object avoidance

While I did test the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus with various debris to see how it would do, I was surprised to see it pick up a bunch of dust, dander, and pet hair on its first couple runs on what I thought were already clean floors. That's a testament to how well it vacuums up (it boasts 8,000Pa of suction, which is actually higher than you'd usually find on a robovac at this price point).

Beyond that, it did well vacuuming up larger pieces of debris. Just to test that, I threw a bunch of cereal in front of it (a Lucky Charms knock-off, if that's important to you) and it sucked it all right up.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum sucking up breakfast cereal

The C12 Pro Plus had no issues sucking up breakfast cereal (Image credit: Future)

On top of that, the brushroll, even after a good number of cleaning runs, was mostly tangle-free. Keeping in mind that this is a full household with a few people with long hair and a couple of dogs, along with a cat, that's impressive.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum flipped over to show brushroll

This anti-tangle brushroll works well (Image credit: Future)

It only has one side brush – not unusual, although you will find some robovacs double up here. Also worth noting is that it's a bit louder than some other robot vacuums, with a volume of around 62db if you're a foot or two away.

The mop pad is a wide semicircle that vibrates, as opposed to the spinning disc variety (which tends to perform better). However, on test I was quite impressed. I found this robovac delivered a nice, even mop that dries quickly and it quickly cleans up small spills – I threw a bit of Diet Coke right in front of it to test, and it was wiped up in one pass.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum approaching a puddle of diet Coke on a hard floor

The robovac did a good job of clearing this diet Coke spillage (Image credit: Future)

Mopping the edges of rooms is a common issue with robovacs. A handful of premium models feature extra side mops or pads that can shift outwards to get close to the edges of rooms; unsurprisingly there's nothing like that here. That means the mopping can't get right up to the edges of rooms.

Also unsurprising at this price point is the fact that there are no mop pad washing and drying capabilities built into the dock. That means you'll have to manually clean the mop pad if it gets dirty, or you risk tracking soy sauce or, worse, mold, across your floors. There is an extra mop pad supplied, so you can swap it in as you leave a dirty one to dry out.

It's worth noting that, as long as you’re not trying to vacuum carpets, you can leave the mopping backplate on and still do a great job vacuuming. As mentioned before, when in mopping mode, it will avoid carpets. I threw a bath mat in front of the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus, and it cleaned right up to the edge and then backed off.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum pushing squirt bottle out of the way

The C12 Pro Plus successfully identified and avoided mopping the bathmat, but ran straight into the bottle (Image credit: Future)

One area where the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus fell down a little was its object avoidance. Now, it didn't get stuck on anything despite there being plenty of dog toys sitting around, though it did bump into them. But, when placing a squirt bottle in front of it, instead of going around, the robot vacuum just pushed it out of the way.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum stopping next to a step down

Cliff sensors ensure the robovac doesn't take a tumble down stairs (Image credit: Future)

In terms of battery life, this robot vacuum has 300 minutes of use on a single charge on anything but the most basic of vacuuming operations, you'll still get a lot of use out of this before it needs to charge. On test, I found it could manage 170 minutes when mopping as well as vacuuming, which is pretty impressive. However, like most robot vacuums, it seems to return the base station somewhat frequently (to self-empty usually, so I never saw its battery life dip particularly low.

  • Performance score: 4 out of 5

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus review: app

  • Easy to use and navigate
  • The mapping is very good, even with open floor plans
  • Not much in the way of smart home features

Getting the robot vacuum set up in the companion app for testing was clean and straightforward. As with most apps these days, I found the app easy to use and navigate, although it did take a minute of poking around to figure out where everything is – some of the functionality, particularly anything map-related, is tucked behind picture icons in the top right.

There are a number of noteworthy things in the app. Of course, there's the basic ability to set up a schedule and adjust some settings, such as a child lock and 'do not disturb' modes. But what really stands out is the fact that not only does it automatically section off the different rooms when mapping, but it allows you to partition each room into smaller areas as well. Many companion apps that use a line tool can get stuck on this, but even though Yeedi's app uses the same approach, here I had no issues cutting off half or a quarter of a space into a new 'room'.

As great as that is, anyone hoping for smart home features will be sorely disappointed to see that there's no voice assistant or voice assistant support. You'll either need to use the app or the physical buttons on the robot vacuum itself.

  • App score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus?

Buy it if...

You want a combo robovac without breaking the bank

Even though it's about $600 / £500, you can't really go much cheaper and still get quality mopping performance to go along with good vacuuming in a robot vacuum.

You have pets

This robovac packs a surprising amount of power for the price, and I found it handled pet hair well. The anti-tangle brushroll worked as advertised, too. However, do note my comment below regarding object avoidance.

You have an open-plan space

The mapping ability here fixes many of the frustrations I’ve experienced with other models – namely, it has no issues separating open plan rooms into smaller spaces. It’s easy to use and manipulate so that you can more easily spot clean.

Don't buy it if...

You want voice control

Since this is a more budget model (when compared to other models with the mopping feature), it doesn't have voice assistant support. If you want to use Alexa, Siri, etc. to control your robot vacuum, you'll have to look elsewhere.

You want the very best cleaning performance

Though the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus gets 90 per cent of the way there compared to more expensive models, it struggles with things like getting up to the edges of rooms.

Good object avoidance is important

The Yeedi C12 Pro Plus didn't always identify or avoid objects in its way, which might be an issue if you have a pet that isn't reliably house trained, for instance.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus review: also consider

Not sold on the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus? Here are some alternatives to consider.

Narwal Freo X Ultra

The Narwal Freo X Ultra is expensive (very expensive) but has, like the C12 Pro Plus, a more striking base station design, looking like it came out of a sci-fi movie. It also is filled to the brim with features, such as the ability to use the robot vacuum as a mobile security cam, not to mention it can reach the corners of a room, though it's strangely not quite as good with the edges.

Read our full Narwal Freo X Ultra review

Yeedi Cube

The Yeedi Cube may be a bit longer in the tooth, but it comes with some features that the C12 Pro Plus doesn't, such as mop pad drying, which helps avoid mold and bacteria. Just be aware that the Cube is going to cost you a little more for the extra features, which does include a voice assistant.

Read our full Yeedi Cube review

How I tested the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus

To test the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus, I used it for a week to vacuum and mop the hardwood floors and carpeting in my house. I focused on how well the vacuum cleaned the edges of a room as well as around obstacles. I also tested the features listed in the app, most notably the mapping.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed July 2024
Qualcomm announces fiscal Q4 and 2024 report with rising revenue and profits
3:57 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Qualcomm completes a banner year with the release of its Q4 financial results. In the fiscal fourth quarter, the company saw its revenues increase by 19% compared to Q4 2023 while net income almost doubled (+96%). Qualcomm’s report for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2024 That capped off a strong fiscal 2024 for Qualcomm with revenues for the full year increasing by 9% compared to 2023 and net income going up by 40%. Full year 2024 report compared to 2023 The company paid out $947 million in dividends in just Q4 2024, for the full year the number is $3.68 billion....

Realme UI 6.0 early access reaches Realme GT 6
2:42 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Realme UI 6.0, an AI-infused interface based on Android 15, was announced a few weeks ago. The first phone on the international market to get an update was promised to be the Realme GT 6, and today, the company announced it is rolling out early access. The software update is available only to customers in India, but only a limited number of users can test the new features in beta. The Realme GT 6 needs to get to RMX3851_14.0.1.614 (EX01) software version. Then users who want to participate must enable Developr Mode, and then apply for Early Access via the Software Update Application...

New World: Aeternum review: Amazon’s ailing MMORPG gets a much-needed second wind
2:00 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , , | Comments: Off
Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Release date: October 14, 2024

You've seen New World before, sure, but have you seen New World: Aeternum? This soft relaunch of Amazon Game Studio's flagging 2021 MMORPG is what the company is calling a 'spiritual sequel' to the original. In layman's terms, that means next-gen console support, new story campaign cinematics, and a refined controller-friendly combat system that doubles down on the game's action RPG setup.

This is, spoiler alert, mostly the same game as before - but New World: Aeternum already had a solid foundation and the inclusion of console players could potentially breathe fresh life into this game.

Some of the best MMORPGs have been years in the making and Amazon's stubborn dedication to improving its first big MMORPG title is commendable. With a vast game world and diverse array of player versus player (PvP) and player versus environment (PvE) content, there's certainly a lot that New World: Aeternum offers - especially for a fresh player.

New World: Aeternum screen shot

(Image credit: Amazon)

Getting it right the second time

New World: Aeternum is in some ways an MMO that’s stronger than the sum of its parts. It is, in a nutshell, an extremely competent and refined effort that skates close to excellence in so many areas yet doesn’t always stand out.

It’s a rework that’s a culmination of three years of tweaks and painfully learned lessons from Amazon. It isn’t, however, a radical departure from what was offered before - you’ve got the same weapons, the same art style, and the same world - with a few exceptions like new cutscenes. In some ways, it’s a little awkward reviewing this title as a new player in 2024.

So, if New World doesn’t stand out - then why is it just so damn fun to pick up and play? There is an intangible sense of fun to New World that makes it both an approachable and incredibly cohesive MMORPG experience. There's nothing new here, but there's something about this game that just works.

For example, there’s an intuitiveness to the open world in New World: Aeternum that makes sense right away. The game’s core gameplay loops of questing, PvP, and gathering all integrate seamlessly into a game world that just begs you to get out and explore. The world of Aeternum is full of trees, plants, and ores ready to harvest and if you don’t find yourself wandering off in search of hemp, herbs, or lumber, then you’re simply missing out on one of this game’s strongest aspects.

Even without the superb gathering and crafting, there’s no doubt that New World is one of the most pick-up-and-play MMOs I’ve played in a long time when it comes to the overall experience. There’s a little bit of something for everyone here - dungeons, player-owned housing, and excellent crafting all wrapped up in a well-thought-out and refreshingly simple manner.

New World: Aeternum screen shot

(Image credit: Amazon)

Your favorite MMO, now with cutscenes

One of the biggest additions to New World: Aeternum is the inclusion of a more cohesive main quest storyline - one that’s now complete with cutscenes, improved world-building, and a streamlined questing experience.

I played through the entire main story quest line for this review and my thoughts are that it’s pretty good but not outstanding. The story isn’t anything mind-blowing but there are decent characters, compelling boss fights with actual mechanics, and a modern quest design that breaks away from the usual MMO tropes of killing ten skeletons and such.

New World: Aeternum screen shot

(Image credit: Amazon)
Best bit

New World: Aeternum screen shot

(Image credit: Amazon)

Exploring the world of Aeternum is constantly entertaining. You'll be questing, fighting enemy players, and gathering any number of players along the way in a vast and interactive game world. Rarely will you be stuck hanging around in camp.

If you really beeline it through the quest, expect it to take you around 30 hours until you hit the final boss fight - which, I have to say, is rather excellent (no spoilers, sorry). It’s an experience you can completely take on solo in the vein of a single-player action RPG but I’d highly recommend taking the time out to engage with the game’s excellent side-quests, crafting, and PvP aspects along the way. You can play solo, sure, but New World’s strong suit remains the extracurricular activities.

The beauty of Aeternum is in the myriad distractions it offers. Plus, I’d note that while the main quest does introduce you to the vast majority of zones and themes within the game, it doesn’t really deep-dive into PvP, group content, or end-game gearing. You'll have to work those out for yourself or ask a member from New World's vibrant community of console and PC players.

New World: Aeternum screen shot

(Image credit: Amazon)

Jack of all trades

As previously mentioned, there’s a wide range of both PvE and PvP content within this game, ranging all the way from basic dungeons and solo world PvP to 10-man raids and 20 vs 20 player battlegrounds. There is, quite simply, a lot of content in New World: Aeternum and it’s all underpinned by a refreshed console-friendly combat system.

With the new combat - it’s a mixed bag but mostly good. As previously stated, New World has a relatively stripped-down action RPG system that encourages movement and dodging rather than providing a piano-like array of spells and abilities. You’re essentially going to be switching through two weapons, both of which have just three abilities on the bar at once. There’s nothing wrong with this (in fact, it’s perfect for controller support), but don’t expect an incredibly in-depth set of abilities to use as per the traditional MMORPG experience.

I gave all sixteen of New World’s weapons a whirl during my playtime and every single one brings something to the table in regard to class fantasy, mechanics, and abilities. Want to bonk your enemies on the head with a giant hammer? No problem. Conversely, you may want to plink at your enemies at a distance with the musket or bow. All weapons are fine choices and offer a diverse range of builds and play styles. I personally like the musket, although I found hitboxes to be frustratingly inconsistent unless I was using the game’s Dark Souls-style lock-on system to track my enemies.

New World: Aeternum screen shot

(Image credit: Amazon)

Fans of action-orientated combat will find a lot to like with New World: Aeternum; especially if you’re the kind of person who likes to try different builds. Not only is changing your character’s attribute points incredibly cheap but you’re never locked into one particular weapon or armor type with New World. Don’t hesitate to try out the various weapons and find the right one.

In terms of content, this game is chock-full of stuff that’s readily available to both solo and group players. While a chunk of the high-end PvE stuff is locked behind the maximum level of 65, an easy-to-use matchmaking system means it’s easy to get a group without the need to join a guild or clan. New World is one of the most solo-friendly MMOs I’ve played for a while - and one that respects your time if you’re looking for something relatively casual.

New World: Aeternum screen shot

(Image credit: Amazon)

A bland new world

Earlier in my review I alluded to the fact that New World is a perfectly competent MMO but it doesn’t particularly stand out in one area. The PvE? Well executed. The PvP? Yep, that’s pretty good too. There's not one single aspect of New World that really knocked me off my seat during my initial 40 hours of gameplay, however.

If there’s one area where I think New World falls down on, it’s that it lacks a solid identity. All the boxes are ticked here to make an incredibly engaging MMO but nothing feels special in the way that, say, World of Warcraft circa 2004 did.

Take the overall art style and premise, for example. New World is loosely set in the age of sail but Amazon deemed it fit to stuff in as many generic fantasy and historical tropes as it could into the world of Aeternum. One minute you’re fighting pirates, the next minute you’re fighting Roman Legionaries, the next minute ghosts. There’s a lot of variety in the game world but it feels like Amazon just threw together generic historical Assassin’s Creed-like concepts rather than building something with a really cool and unique angle.

There’s no doubt that the development team can design engaging environments and game mechanics but I never really felt that strong sense of class fantasy that you get with some MMOs. The world is a little bland, unfortunately, and New World doesn’t particularly stand out as either a PvP game par excellence or a PvE powerhouse in the way that modern retail World of Warcraft does save its superb crafting and gathering system. Still, this is a good game with an intangible sense of fun and one that no doubt has a solid future should Amazon continue to commit to content updates.

New World: Aeternum screen shot

(Image credit: Amazon)

Should I play New World: Aeternum?

Play it if...

You want an approachable MMO
New World: Aeternum features an extensive array of content that can be enjoyed both as a solo player and as a group. The barrier to entry for most content is relatively low and the world is also intuitively built around an excellent gathering and crafting system.

You particularly enjoy crafting and professions
There's something just really, really fun about New World: Aeternum's crafting system. Exploring the game world for valuable resources, building a camp, and crafting your own gear. There are plenty of professions to explore in New World and they all work together to create a superb in-game economy that's unaffected by the micro-transactions common in other MMOs.

Don't play it if...

You want to push high-end PvE content
New World: Aeternum has a 10-man raid at max level but it's not as packed as its competitors when it comes to high-level PvE content. It's a jack-of-all-trades game that's suited to players who value variety over one particular end-game content type. Watch this space though, as raids are a relatively new addition to the game and could be expanded upon going forward.

Accessibility

New World: Aeternum has an extensive list of accessibility features, including text-to-speech, font size scaling, and colorblind modes. It also has some superb aim assist options for both controller and mouse and keyboard setups. All these options are easy to find in the 'Accessibility' menu within the games settings menu.

How I reviewed New World: Aeternum

I played New World: Aeternum for 40 hours before writing this review. That was enough time to play through the entire main story quest line, see most of the zones in-game, and test out the game's PvE and PvP content. While the game is incredibly vast, I made sure to sample most of what New World has objectively before making an assessment.

When it comes to reviewing MMORPGs, I draw upon almost two decades of experience to determine how New World: Aeternum stacks up. Just a few of the titles I've played include World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2, Black Desert Online, Lost Ark, Eve Online, ESO, and most recently Throne and Liberty.

The peripherals I used during this review include the Logitech G Pro wireless gaming mouse, the Logitech Pro Tenkeyless gaming keyboard, and the Logitech G735 wireless gaming headset. I also tested the game using the standard Xbox Wireless controller (2024). My monitor is the 27-inch LG 27GP850-B, which runs at 1440p/185Hz.

First reviewed October 2024.

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