[When I first saw "New World," an MMO where you explore and conquer a magical island, it seemed quite survival game-like, but since then it has shifted to more typical MMO conventions. For example, you will want to eat, but you will not die of thirst or hunger.

Amazon Game Studios describes New World items, including food and drink features, in a new blog post today. The system hasn't changed since the last time we saw the MMO, but the details bear repeating, as it's always interesting to see how RPGs handle food.

A good meal in New World will heal you, give you passive health recovery, and nourish you continuously both in and out of combat. A really good meal can also "increase your defense against certain enemies, enhance your stamina recovery, and temporarily hone your crafting skills."

Magic tinctures can be helpful when hit points are in a pinch, but passive healing in combat is a buff you don't want to leave town empty-handed. At least from the sound of it, it's good to know that food is not going to be something that can just be ignored.

Also mentioned are potions and tinctures (potions give lasting effects, while tinctures give immediate effects like immediate healing and symptom healing), weapon coatings (damage bonuses against certain enemy types), and crafted and encountered equipment. It would not be a modern MMO without Legendary items, most of which are obtained by "fighting the most dangerous and challenging enemies Aeternum has to offer."

In my last hands-on preview, I felt New World had potential. The food and the swords look delicious, but with each new blog post, I'm still not sure what the hook is.

Granted, it may just be good enough to release a $40 MMO that moves well and features combat like the action RPGs that are all the rage these days. We'll see if that's the case in a few months, or if I'm missing something that gives New World more of an edge. (And hopefully it will be better than Amazon's other new game, Crucible.)

New World will be released on August 25.