What do the quests in New World offer and which modes can I play solo or with friends in PvE? Our overview provides answers.
New World has made a 180-degree turn: from a PvP sandbox to an MMO that also wants to offer PvE. We introduce you to what you can expect from quests, whether there are decisions like in single-player role-playing games, how co-op works and in which modes you can let off steam solo or together without getting hit on the head by other players.
Senior Narrative Design Lead Robert Chestney was on hand exclusively to answer some of our questions.
All about quests and PvE modes in New World
How do the quests work in New World?
In New World, you can accept multiple quests at the same time, which are numbered and displayed on the map. You will receive quests either from NPCs with a yellow icon hovering over them or from quest boards. There is the one for your faction, which you can use to unlock special rewards and increase your influence via PvP missions, and the one that you use to complete missions for the respective settlement. In return, you will receive payment and increase your territorial reputation.
As in World of Warcraft, missions from NPCs are preceded by a short explanation, which is at least set to music. In addition, the reward (for example, a weapon) is displayed in advance – so you can see whether the effort is worth it. You can also pursue activities outside of quests and collect resources, craft or kill monsters while roaming the open world.
What types of quests are there?
New World relies mostly on very simple quests that usually require only one or a few steps. For example, you travel to a location to kill a certain number of enemies, collect supplies from crates, search for resources, craft something or interact with something. New World is not an MMO with a focus on an impressively staged story.
You should rather choose for yourself which path you want to take. If you want, you can concentrate entirely on crafting, owning your own home or even PvP and the fight for supremacy on the island of Aeternum. You can also get a visual impression of the game, as well as of the missions, in the video preview:
Are there still more complex quests?
Senior Narrative Design Lead Robert Chestney revealed to us in an interview that the main story may very well feature more elaborate missions later on. Of which, half have been playable in the beta so far.
“The most complex quests are part of the main story and revolve around the Corruption, the rising storm and taking players to the Soul Guardians. Some of them require you to visit multiple locations, defeat menacing enemies or even solve puzzles. ”
Are there choices in the missions?
In many single-player role-playing games, decisions are one of the highlights of the quests. According to Chestney, in New World you will also influence the end of a few missions via decisions. But they didn’t want to impose artificial moral questions that would ultimately have no effect, which is why the most important thing is which missions the player decides on – not how he plays them.
If they do, the player should get something out of his choice. For example, if you complete orders for a spear master and then meet your rival, you may be able to choose a side and receive a different reward, such as a weapon or a skill, depending on your choice.
Can missions be completed in different ways?
A handful of quests come with optional endings or can even fail, according to Chestney. Combat tactics, he says, are almost always up to the player: you can sneak past enemies, charge at them, take them out from a distance, or freely lure them in one at a time, Dark Souls-style.
Do some quests change the world of New World?
Mostly in the main story and the factions, there should be a few missions that influence the game world. For example, NPCs go about their own activities and change locations when we complete a mission. Others will meet a tragic fate or turn against us.
Some also change their appearance. This will later also apply to the entire game world. Chestney can’t reveal more yet, but according to him, the second half of the story will shake up the image of places and characters that we have formed in the beta.
Will new missions be added after release?
As befits an MMO, New World will also receive new content after launch. Old content will also be revised and expanded:
“After launch, we want to branch out existing quests more and add new ones, but always keep the player’s freedom and choices as a guide for what we’re aiming for as an experience. ”
How to play New World in co-op?
– If you want to play with your friends in a group, you first need to match region and server.
– Then complete the tutorial individually. After that, you will land in one of four zones. If you are not in the same place, you will have to find each other before you can quest together.
– Don’t accept any quests after the shipwreck to avoid being tied to the starting area. Alternatively, you can play the beginning solo first, and organise yourself from the first settlement onwards.
– You can open a group by pressing “H” near a player to open the social menu. There you will find options such as “add friend, invite to group, message, trade, mute, block or report”.
Alternatively, you can open the general social menu via “O” and search for your buddies there to mark them as a friend in the game and then add them directly to the group. You can also view the options or leave the group there.
– If the co-op crew is standing, it will be displayed at the top left. In addition, each comrade is given a marker, which is also displayed in the compass.
What changes when I complete missions in co-op?
New World is meant to appeal to solo players and groups because they don’t want to alienate any type of player:
“Some players prefer to complete quests with friends and others want to play solo. We don’t want to limit anyone. If you want to play with friends, the quests should be fun together and of course it’s faster as a group, so that makes a difference. But there are no big advantages for groups. […] There are some quests and storylines that are designed in such a way that you can play them well alone or loosely with one or two friends. ”
Are there any quests that can only be played in co-op?
According to Chestney, some end-game content such as Expeditions or Elite Point of Interests is aimed at groups of players. You don’t just have to play them in co-op because of the challenge – some puzzles also require co-ordinated teamwork.
This is not only worthwhile for interesting locations and challenging battles. Experience, gold and item rewards can also be gained from the co-op content.
Do some quests require a certain level?
Even in the beta, the quest menu was full of numbers: Each quest brings a recommended level, as does each location you explore in the Open World. All enemies in this area then bring the respective level with them. The maximum level is currently 60.
However, you can start the missions as soon as you get close to the recommended level. The idea behind this is that you can look for specific challenges to let off steam in the unusually direct combat system, which allows skills, parries or dodges in addition to attacks. With its focus on skill in combat, New World wants to set itself apart from other MMOs that rely more on the right builds and skill combinations.
What are the big PvE modes?
Expeditions
Expeditions is an end-game content for five players, comparable to dungeons in other games. In addition to battles, you also have to face the aforementioned puzzles. As usual, powerful bosses await you at the end, rewarding you with loot. To emerge victorious, you have to rely on a combination of potion, healer and damage dealers, just like in WoW and other games.
The MMO actually does without such classes, but by levelling and skilling your weapons, you can flexibly craft them yourself and change them along with your equipment.
Invasions
Invasions are the PvE equivalent of New World’s large mass battles, which you fight out in PvP between the factions. 50 players defend a fortress against waves of corrupted enemies and must face the Void Destroyer at the end to finally stop the flood of enemies. To win, you must hold the enemies at bay for 30 minutes; failing to do so will weaken your territory and the bonuses that come with it.
