Even in a modern multi-million-pound title like New World, the grind remains pointless. Even after all these years, people want to grind in almost the exact same way they did in RuneScape: For a long time, and for no real reason. An endless, pointless, and yet somehow totally satisfying grind. However, it’s RuneScape that lurks in the shadows, mumbling “I hax this chat lulz” under its breath.įirst of all, there’s RuneScape’s infamous grind.
New World takes the repetitive dungeons of Oblivion and replicates them in its barebones Expeditions, the world chat is reminiscent of EverQuest’s buzzing in-game socials full of cooperative weirdos during a named overnight campout, and the skill-based combat is as smooth as Guild Wars 2. Amazon execs sit in a room and ponder: “So, what is it that gamers like?” and this is what you get. New World reaches deep into the pool of nostalgia and pulls out a grossly misshapen version of games that came before it. RELATED: Despite Its Flaws, New World's PvP Is Its Savior New World is basically just ‘RuneScape except it’s not really RuneScape’ - allow me to explain. This is RuneScape.Ģ0 years later, Amazon Game Studios has launched an MMO that is almost identical to RuneScape, albeit with a fresh lick of paint, a better PvP system, and a whole lot more funding. You’re 11 years old and this is the worst thing that has ever happened to you. One player has just tricked you into trading your Obby cape for a pinch of gold. You’re competing for cowhides at the farm outside Lumbridge and mining iron ore southeast of Varrock - it’s your favourite grinding route and you can’t really say why. There are rocks to dig, chickens to hunt, and gold to hoard. It’s 2001 and you’ve just got home from school.