The MMORPG landscape continues to evolve in 2025, with two major contenders vying for players' attention: Throne and Liberty and New World. As the new world shutting down rumors circulate among some gaming communities, both titles continue to carve distinct niches in the competitive MMO market.

Throne and Liberty has established itself as a formidable presence in the MMORPG space since its launch. Players have particularly praised its challenging dungeon design that emphasizes mechanical skill over gear progression. As one veteran player noted, "It's incredibly fresh to have challenging dungeons and solo stages that aren't just about having good gear. Players need to actually learn the mechanics and not face tank everything." This approach has breathed life into PvE content that might otherwise become stale.

The game's PvP focus has also found its audience. Many players bounce between Throne and Liberty and other MMOs, with one player explaining, "I just think there is more to do in Throne and Liberty new world, granted its heavy focus is PvP. I am having a lot of fun with it." The combat system, while divisive, offers enough depth to keep PvP enthusiasts engaged through multiple content updates.

Content Depth and Progression Systems

However, Throne and Liberty isn't without its critics. Some players have pointed out that beneath its apparent variety lies a more repetitive structure. As one detailed analysis put it, the game "gives the appearance of having a wide variety of activities, but it really doesn't. They have combat and then some more combat."

The crafting system has been particularly criticized for lacking meaningful progression, essentially functioning as "buying items with resources rather than currency" without creating a robust player economy. Similarly, various progression systems like lithograph books, the codex, and the level log have been described as redundant, all boiling down to "kill things to complete tasks to get items."

New World's Continued Evolution

Meanwhile, New World (now branded as New World: Aeternum) continues to evolve following its significant overhaul. The world itself remains one of its strongest assets, with players consistently praising its beautiful environments and well-designed map flow. The addition of mounts—a feature long requested by the community—has addressed one of the original game's most criticized limitations.

Combat remains a divisive topic between the two games. While some claim New World has "the best combat of all current MMOs," others find it "clunky af" compared to competitors like Lost Ark or Guild Wars 2. This speaks to the subjective nature of combat preferences in the MMO space—what feels responsive to one player may feel unwieldy to another.

Player Retention Challenges

Both games struggle with long-term player retention, a common challenge in the world of MMORPGs. Many players report enjoying either title for a few weeks or months before moving on. As one player candidly shared, "neither game hooked me in for more than a few days and went back to playing a heavily modded Skyrim for like the 8th playthrough."

This transient engagement pattern reflects the broader challenges facing the MMORPG genre. Players bounce between games seeking that perfect combination of engaging combat, meaningful progression, and social connectivity. Some even look to upcoming titles like Ashes of Creation as "our last hope" for innovation in the genre.

Rewards and Incentives

Throne and Liberty has attempted to boost player engagement through various reward systems. Their partnership with Amazon Games provides special bonuses for linked accounts, including cosmetics, titles, and in-game currency. These incentives aim to create that initial connection with players, though the long-term stickiness depends more on core gameplay satisfaction.

As one player summarized their experience: "I still had fun though, for about a week. Will keep it in my library as a casual game." This casual approach to MMO gaming—dipping in and out of different worlds rather than committing exclusively to one—appears increasingly common in today's gaming landscape.

Whether Throne and Liberty new world or New World: Aeternum ultimately captures more long-term players remains to be seen. Both games offer unique experiences with their own strengths and weaknesses, and both continue to evolve through regular content updates. For now, the competition between these titles ensures that players have meaningful choices in the MMORPG space, even as they wait for the next revolutionary title to emerge.