When I eagerly logged back into New World to embark on the “Rise of the Angry Earth” expansion, I was raring to go. My main character had some unfinished main quest content to tackle before diving into the expansion proper. I anticipated completing it swiftly and moving forward. However, my aspirations were swiftly thwarted as I discovered that my main character’s main quest progression was plagued by a persistent bug, leaving me stuck with no clear path to progress.

This is a known issue that Amazon has been grappling with since the launch of their first paid expansion. Initially, I was less than thrilled. I had a vested interest in playing New World not only because I was genuinely engrossed in the story Amazon was weaving but also because of a looming work deadline. It was a tad frustrating to encounter this roadblock. Nevertheless, it ultimately unfolded as a serendipitous turn of events, as I decided to create a brand new character on my server. This unforeseen development transformed my original plan of conducting a comprehensive re-review of the game, making this article more than just a review of “Rise of the Angry Earth.” It’s now an evaluation of New World itself, two years after its initial launch.

Transformative Mounts Redefine the Experience

One prominent observation from my week spent grinding levels through the main quest is that New World now plays the way many of us had hoped it would feel at its launch two years ago. The substantial changes made by the New World development team to the main questline during the Brimstone Sands update last year have been further enhanced by the introduction of mounts at level 25.

I extensively discussed mounts in our preview of the expansion back in August, but at that time, I couldn’t fully grasp how transformative they would become for the overall experience. During the preview, the focus was primarily on getting a feel for how mounts operated, rather than understanding how they were integrated into the gameplay loop.

Now, as the mount has become an indispensable part of my journey since conversing with Jochi Khan at level 25, it’s challenging to imagine playing New World without them. The ability to effortlessly traverse a zone on my personal mount has been nothing short of transformative. This is especially significant given one of my major grievances with New World, which was the time-consuming back-and-forth travel between quests and points of interest.

Linking mounts to a life skill is a clever move, providing a sense of progression beyond a mere unlock. Leveling up the Riding skill grants access to higher-tier horse accessories, such as horseshoes and charms, which enhance attributes like sprinting stamina or run speed. Horses exhibit distinct characteristics when traveling on designated paths or venturing off-road, with terrain affecting the mount’s momentum. Personally, I appreciate this realism, though I acknowledge that some players may find it irksome, particularly when taking shortcuts across the countryside.

The most significant transformation brought about by mounts is the elimination of the feeling that my survival hinges on my proximity to a fast travel point. Over the past two years, the development team has made efforts to address the issue of extended travel times and the scarcity of fast travel points. They have introduced numerous fast-travel shrines throughout the game world. In the past, my first thought was to consult my map to determine the distance to the nearest fast-travel location or consider whether recalling to my Inn would be faster. However, now I simply rely on my mount to carry me to my desired destination, even if it’s at the far end of a zone. This not only conserves Azoth but also provides an opportunity to participate in a rally race on my way to the goal, contributing to the improvement of my Riding skill. Witnessing a group of players on their mounts, whether it’s a herd of horses, a Direwolf, or one of the majestic Lions attainable at level 60, evokes a sense of camaraderie reminiscent of the “Ride of the Rohirrim” from the world of New World.

The introduction of mounts has substantially enhanced the leveling experience, making previously tedious journeys between distant locations, such as from Everfall to Brightwood, much more efficient. I also appreciate the convenience of being able to move while summoning my mount simultaneously. The moment my horse emerges from beneath my character and accelerates forward, I feel a surge of exhilaration, prepared to confront the challenges Aeternum has in store.

Thriving with the Flail and Shield

Another significant addition to New World in “Rise of the Angry Earth” is the introduction of a new weapon type: the Flail and Shield. This weapon scales with both Strength and Focus, effectively filling the role of a cleric or paladin build that had been somewhat lacking in New World since its inception. Positioned as an off-healer or off-tank, depending on the chosen specialization, it stands as the first class with its animations integrated into the weapon itself.

I am thoroughly enjoying the Flail and Shield, particularly the Cleric specialization, which I predominantly favor for providing groups with additional healing while inflicting Void damage with each strike. Every swing of the flail carries a satisfying impact, and rushing into combat to deliver an Arcane Smite feels exceptionally gratifying.

I have been primarily playing solo while leveling up my character toward the level cap, and the Flail has found a permanent spot in my weapon rotation. I’ve dedicated considerable time to finding the perfect weapon combination with the Flail, especially since it’s one of the few weapons that scales with Focus, primarily for its healing Damage over Time effects. The Void Gauntlet is an excellent choice, particularly if you are keen on assuming a support role in a group. After experimenting with it for a few levels, I can confidently say that it was a lot of fun.

The Greatsword is another exceptional combo, especially if you intend to explore the Onslaught skill line. The added DPS from the Greatsword proves invaluable when dealing with groups of enemies, although it pales in comparison to what I believe is a currently overpowered build: the Blunderbuss.

Honestly, this combination has been obliterating foes as I progress toward level 40 on my new character.

The true test of the Flail and Shield will come when I participate in late-game expeditions with other players. Since many of the upgrades in the Cleric skill line introduce features such as lifesteal, cleanse effects, and the ultimate ability, which grants passive healing to the group, the full potential of this weapon will be realized when operating within a larger group. I’m eagerly anticipating the opportunity to put it to the test.

For now, I will continue to relish each moment when I charge into battle, wreaking havoc with the Arcane Vortex, all the while replenishing my health.

The Road Ahead

As I press forward with our review of “Rise of the Angry Earth” (and the comprehensive re-review of New World), I look forward to reaching the level cap and surmounting the Bramble Wall. While New World has encountered issues since its launch, the development team has been actively addressing them since the expansion was released last week. These challenges haven’t hindered my enjoyment of the expansion so far. Although I haven’t yet delved into the core story content, the other prominent features of the expansion have seamlessly integrated with the wider New World experience, transforming the early game and shaping New World into the version that the MMO should have been from the outset.

I’m eager to explore and experience more, especially as I progress into the late and end-game phases once again. MMOexp will continue to provide updates in the days and weeks to come as we revisit this MMO, also we provide the cheapest New World Gold, happy time.