First and foremost, I want everyone to know that I'm on the proverbial fence when it comes to WoW and MMO's in general. I'm neither a fan boy, or a "nay sayer". I played wow quite a bit a few years ago, back when the original version was around, and even into the Burning Crusade years. I made a few online friends in a very casual guild and enjoyed just traveling around the game world helping eachother out.
 
Here's how I got back into it...I went to Fry's electronics this weekend to purchase a drill, and a dremel tool kit to make some modifications to my HAF X case for my upcoming GPU water cooling project. When I walked into the store I saw the Cataclysm prop standing right in the entrance, and it brought back some old memories of playing WoW with online friends and just having a blast. I hadn't played in over a year, I couldn't remember why I cancelled my account or why I stopped playing. I remembered that I did enjoy it, but I think other hobbies got in the way, and I wanted to check out some other RPG's, Fallout, Dragon Age, Oblivion etc. All of which I REALLY enjoyed for the story telling. The lore in WoW that I remembered was great too, I remember a lot of the quests in the Paladin line really having direction and they took me around the WoW world in search of gear and Holy quests so to speak. I enjoyed that type of story telling, and the quests were neither too easy or to hard, some required groups of Paladins, and that seemed to draw me in even more...like minded individuals enjoying or gaming experiences etc. So the memories drew me back in to WoW...
 
So I picked up a copy of Cataclysm and decided I rejoin the WoW Universe, and see if it still had that "Ole' Black Magic". I hadn't been on in awhile so I had to merge my old WoW account with my battlenet account...that's how long it's been. Once that was done, I started the lengthy download process,  and clean Win7 (64) install, and began the looooong install wait. It wasn't that bad considering you can now download in the background and still have somewhat of a gaming experience. Instead of tainting my first outing in the WoW universe though I decided to leave the computer on and let the WoW client do its business. There were a couple of hickups along the way but by the next morning after a good nights sleep most of the install process was complete. However, there is a bug with the "Installing Misc. Data", the installer keeps saying that it's modifying some so priority files on my computer, and it's been doing that for the past two days. This is the first bug that I noticed, that's ok, it didn't really bother me...much.
 
So I decided to start a Worgen character, I remembered how much I enjoyed the new Burning Crusade character lines at the beginning, and the feel of the new territory in Burning Crusades to explore, it was very well thought out and planned, with just enough intrigue to keep me exploring...the new lands just seemed so...organic, they flowed perfectly, and always kept me wanting more. So as soon as I hit the ground with my newly created Worgen character ("MacktheKnife"), I looked around a little. I'd been told that the graphics had been updated a little bit, more like they have been tweeked, not necessarily upgraded, and I could see it a little bit in the textures. I also noticed that some of the animations had been reworked, and I really liked the switch from human form to wolf/dog form for the Worgen, the puff of smoke was realistic and made me smile; same with the wimpering doggy sound when I got hit by an enemy hahaha.
 
So my journies took me around this new continent...ironically though I can't even remember the name of it, or the name of any of the major characters involved, and this is the start of my discontent. The character development just seemed very shallow to me, maybe I've been playing other RPG's for so long that I've been spoiled by the story development and detail involved, I don't know, but the Worgen class just seemed a little too predictable and lackluster at times, and some of the quests just seemed so bland and not even relevant to the situation. The best anology that I can give is of a jerky rollercoaster ride up to the top of that first hill, the story and development was exactly the same, then it just dumps you off in Darnassus with very little direction; not that I'd want completely linear gameplay, but the Worgen class seems to have little in the way of story leading you forward begging to get answers.... It could be such an interesting story and tail, but WoW development seems to have left the Worgen high and dry... 
 
Last, I'd like to comment on the glaring issues that I now find with the game. As previously mentioned, the world of WoW used to flow so well from zone to zone, and location to located, it all seemed so organic and realistic, and this is what kept me coming back. The Cataclysm expansion destroyed that (rightfully so judging by the implied story), certainly I understand the premise of the destruction of the world, however...having to jump off a ledge into a newly formed river to cross it then get back on the road multiple times along any given travel route is just plain annoying. Those with flying mounts, higher level characters, obviously need not worry about this problem, however those of use that decided to reactivate their accounts and start fresh will be seriously disappointed. Regardless even with a flying mount I could see myself annoyed with the breaks in regions/lands just to complete a quest. I also noticed that in many quests the arrows weren't pointing in the correct direction, and the quest text was not clear on the locations of certain items/enemies etc.
 
Over all, I think the expantion did what it was supposed to, it destroyed the land, and in turn it really destroyed the high level of play that I previously enjoyed. Not to mention that I cannot imagine seeing cars/motorcycles etc. in this game (I believe the motorcycles happened in Lich King), I certainly understand the steam punk aesthetics in certain areas, but CARS? MOTORCYCLES? C'mon...talk about killing the atmosphere. Now I recall the real reasons I left WoW, the Lich King expantion seemed to lack that same organic transition into the current game world, not to mention issues with SLi, and high end systems being dragged to a hault by horrible optimization.
 
Truth be known, I'd be happier with WoW if any one of a couple things were improved upon, story telling, graphics, transitions from lands were better. Unfortunately, it seems like none of these things have happened; and I honestly felt the "grind" that people used to talk about that I didn't experience back when I really enjoyed playing. Like I said before, maybe I'm just now used to playing high level RPG's with atmosphere's and stories that just pull you into the world...it could be that WoW just hasn't evolved enough to keep up with these spectacular games. Maybe it's a sign of the times, maybe WoW 2.0 needs to be developed, better graphics, more detail to story lines and questing, better atmosphere etc. I think in all honesty for however much I don't want to say it...it's age is truly showing after this expansion.
 
Here's to praying that Old Republic draws me into the Star Wars Universe...

To each his own I guess...I just wasn't impressed, and was less impressed by the landscape now. The lore may be great for you, and it sounds like you're whole heartedle impressed by it. I just like more, intricate and detailed plot lines, maybe it's the cartoonishness of WoW that has me turned off, Dragon Age had serious moral decisions to make, same with Fallout, and other RPG's.
 
I saw the beginning of the "You make the call" attempted with the "Smoke this weed" and pick your familiar type deal...
 
My impression is that I'm leaning towards something...well...dare I say it without someone taking offense...MORE ADULT!

Sounds like you're a happy customer
 
I was just hoping for something more...and I dislike the new expansion and how the world changed, and have a feeling it will turn off a lot of people that are new to the franchise.

I think I have to agree with BHC on how well 1-60 has been re-done.  I've been playing for about 5 years now, though I stopped full time raiding 1/2 way through Wrath a year ago, and pretty much took my first extended "wowcation" from March to Oct. this year.  For the first time in a loooong time I'm actually enjoying leveling a new toon from 1.  The quests easily move you from one hub to the next and I haven't had any problems with zone flow either.  Now, I haven't started an Alliance toon from 1 since Cata came out so I can't say much for zone flow there, but the Tauren Paladin I started easily moved along. 

flyinion

I think I have to agree with BHC on how well 1-60 has been re-done.  I've been playing for about 5 years now, though I stopped full time raiding 1/2 way through Wrath a year ago, and pretty much took my first extended "wowcation" from March to Oct. this year.  For the first time in a loooong time I'm actually enjoying leveling a new toon from 1.  The quests easily move you from one hub to the next and I haven't had any problems with zone flow either.  Now, I haven't started an Alliance toon from 1 since Cata came out so I can't say much for zone flow there, but the Tauren Paladin I started easily moved along. 

I just didn't get the immersion from it like I have from Fallout 3/NV, Oblivion, Dragon Age, give me choices in quests....and I'll return. Give me concequences for my choices and I'll return... Whereas WoW used to feel like an open world to explore and things to be done, the fact that games have come a long ways in the last 6 years has left me feeling like I'm stuck in a rut in that game, I can do quests one way and one way only, and I have one path to the endgame....it might as well be a side scroller for me.

I'm going to say I slightly agree with your assessment in some ways, but disagree with it in a lot of ways.  Vague?  Yes.
 
I played WoW beta through TBC (I picked up WotLK after it had already run its course so to speak).  This xpac is the closest to vanilla in 'feel' of all of them.  The game certainly has changed quite a bit from the original game.  Yes, you are essentially handheld through most of it (unlike years ago when you really did have to plot things out).  Having said that, that's really not Blizz's doing per se.  There have been mods out for years (quest helper, etc. etc.).  Moreover, you can turn that stuff off in the interface options.  Essentially, you can go back to the old way of doing quests if you'd like.
 
Part of the problem with your review is you are basing it on the starting area of the new race.  Unfortunately, the meat of it all is in the new zones.  Uldum honestly could be the best zone Blizzard has ever created.  It flows well, there's places to explore, and there's a great series of quests (not to mention a few dungeons).   I tried the Goblin and the Worgen starting areas for giggles.  Wasn't bad, but wasn't exactly compelling either.
 
IMHO, TBC set WoW in the wrong direction.  It took away from the Horde vs. Alliance theme and went to a more 'let's do this together' kind of setting.   Well, fortunately, that's changed.  The game definitely has gone back to its roots and I welcome the change. There's far more hostility between the factions than there has been in years.   Good.  That's how it should be.
 
The other change I like is the stat change.  Blizz has gone back to primary stats being very important (rather than just stacking certain secondary stats to make your character powerful). 
 
I like the fact that the main story line is back in the old world.  I hated Outlands (purple mushrooms, blue space people, etc. etc) aren't my gig) and Northrend was...well...mehh.  The changes in the old world really aren't that dramatic.  Just enough for you to say...hey...what happened to <insert something here>. 
 
Org is infinitely better by the way.  The overhaul it got was long, long overdue and it simply looks 10x better.
 
Anyway, I'm sorry it didn't live up to what you wanted.  But, to be honest, I really don't think you gave it a fair shot if all you did is try leveling a worgen.  The meat of it really is in the new zones.
 
And you actually have to do some CC and interrupts again rather than just steam roll everything....oh my.  Makes you wonder where all that was for the past several years.
 
Oh, and Tol Barrad is a blast.
 
I do agree with your opinions on motorcycles etc though.  Yeah, that's pretty darn lame.
 
 
 
 

cneuhauser

flyinion

I think I have to agree with BHC on how well 1-60 has been re-done.  I've been playing for about 5 years now, though I stopped full time raiding 1/2 way through Wrath a year ago, and pretty much took my first extended "wowcation" from March to Oct. this year.  For the first time in a loooong time I'm actually enjoying leveling a new toon from 1.  The quests easily move you from one hub to the next and I haven't had any problems with zone flow either.  Now, I haven't started an Alliance toon from 1 since Cata came out so I can't say much for zone flow there, but the Tauren Paladin I started easily moved along. 

I just didn't get the immersion from it like I have from Fallout 3/NV, Oblivion, Dragon Age, give me choices in quests....and I'll return. Give me concequences for my choices and I'll return... Whereas WoW used to feel like an open world to explore and things to be done, the fact that games have come a long ways in the last 6 years has left me feeling like I'm stuck in a rut in that game, I can do quests one way and one way only, and I have one path to the endgame....it might as well be a side scroller for me.

Unfortunately if you compare two different genres of games you will probably never be impressed with MMOs.  I've played several MMOs such as Warhammer, AION, Global Agenda, WoW, etc, and none of them ever had the immersion that single-player RPGs have.  As long as you are looking for that level of immersion and character development, then no MMO will live up to that expectation.  I never got that feeling from Vanilla WoW, so I'm not sure what you noticed that gave you that feeling.
Also, I really wasn't impressed with Cata, but not for the same reasons.  I'm just not a big fan of the same poory coded, unimaginiative junk to begin with.  I probably won't play much longer.

How can the D3 story be 'running its course' yet if hasn't even been released?
 
My read on your review: you're burned on MMO's.  WoW was probably your first and you enjoyed it for what it was.  Nothing wrong with that for sure.  But to start slamming Blizz because you are tired of the genre/story is by no means a comprehensive and objective 'review'.
 
You expected something different from a tired formula.  The fault isn't with Blizz really.  You just need to start adjusting your expectations somewhat.  It sells, it makes money, and people want more.  That's the nature of the beast unfortunately.
 
I'm not saying Cataclysm is great.  It certainly isn't the greatest game ever.  But your 'review' is way, way off target considering your expectations.  You never went out of the starting zones.  If you haven't experienced the new content...how can you review it again?
 
And by no means am I a WoW addict.  I just am objective and set my expectations where they should be.
 
All respect given.
 
 

phades
It will be a success more becuase it is a blizzard prodcution and a diablo title, much like the COD series and battlefield series seems to retain a captive audience.

 
I certainly understand where you are coming from in regards to being 'jaded'.  We are older and slightly less forgiving :P
 
Having said that, I think D3 will be a success not just because it is the Diablo story per se.  Let's face it: there's a decent market for hack/slash RPG's.  Torchlight on a shoestring budget did quite well.  Diablo 2 is ten years old.  There are many, many gamers who were not exposed to the franchise that will certainly be jumping on board this time around.  Blizzard, for all their faults, are a top shelf developer (like it or lump it, that's the reality).  They make terrific and accessible games which normally are top shelf quality (all things being relative, there is no way anyone can make a bug free game at this scale...it just can't happen). 
 
I recently read an interview with the devs regarding their design philosophy for D3.  Personally, I think it's going to be fun regardless of how long the franchise has been around.  No more talent trees, no silly arena PvP, and small scale co-op.  And, of course, Blizz is making it. 
 
If history is a judge, I'd be willing to be this is going to be one heck of a game for avid PC gamers who enjoy hack/slash RPG's.  Time will tell...but the odds are certainly in our favor.
 
 

fredbsd

How can the D3 story be 'running its course' yet if hasn't even been released?

My read on your review: you're burned on MMO's.  WoW was probably your first and you enjoyed it for what it was.  Nothing wrong with that for sure.  But to start slamming Blizz because you are tired of the genre/story is by no means a comprehensive and objective 'review'.

You expected something different from a tired formula.  The fault isn't with Blizz really.  You just need to start adjusting your expectations somewhat.  It sells, it makes money, and people want more.  That's the nature of the beast unfortunately.

I'm not saying Cataclysm is great.  It certainly isn't the greatest game ever.  But your 'review' is way, way off target considering your expectations.  You never went out of the starting zones.  If you haven't experienced the new content...how can you review it again?

And by no means am I a WoW addict.  I just am objective and set my expectations where they should be.

All respect given.

Wrong, and wrong again, EverQuest was my first, DaoC was my second, WoW was my third. So your assumptions are way off base. I certainly don't need to change my expectations, I'm the end user and consumer... if you went to the Ford/Chevrolette dealership or any other dealership for that matter and they tried to sell you a vehicle with an 8-track would you "adjust your expectations" and start your wonderful search for 8 tracks, or would you let them know that "hey, we've advanced beyond tape, and even CD's, it's time to move on to digital downloads" So your diatribe is way off base...
 
WoW Cataclysm was actually my first journey back into MMO's in about a year and a half, so that was your second wrong assumption. Not burned out on MMO's, just looking for more when it comes to MMO's, six years ago WoW was creative, and on the forefront of gaming innovation, think back to what GPU and CPU you were using back then, this game has the same age on it. Believe it or not I used to be very much a fan of the game, it was great as stated in the first part of my review. I literally had to pull myself away in order to check out other games. Ironically enough, with a month or two away I realized the greatness, and creativity of so many other titles.
 

LMAO Comparing Citizen Kane to WoW, doesn't do the movie justice by any means, very poor analogy. Playing the field and saying at first "All of the lower levels are reworked" then saying "no it's the higher levels and gameplay that are different" is a dichotomy and you need to pick one and stick with it instead...regardless I'll pick your side apart for you, the lower levels aren't different, in fact the quest strings take you to the same places, and doing pretty much the same things. The higher levels, you're correct, I haven't touched yet, but I did notice I've still got my lvl 50 from before so I'll take a look.
 
Regarding cut scenes, wrong again, you must have never played any of blizzards other titles, even sticking with the same lore to prove my point WarCraft III had an incredible amount of cutscenes. I find it hard to put any credit in someones assumptions about my review if they have made so many errors in their arguments like the two of you have.
 
I see that you're fan-boys and pony-up every time someone has constructive criticism for your gaming love child. However, take a step back and really take a look at the game, the gameplay, and the lack of true evolution. It hasn't evolved, it's just been brushed up with new graphics, improved animations, expanded the world, and that's about it.
 
Go read the other article about "It's not the size of the world that matters" This is truly the case, it's what you do with it. There are no choices in WoW, the game is out dated and childsplay considering most games out there.

I'll also prove you wrong again regarding your diatribe on "There's no MMO out there that's character driven" obviously you don't get around the MMO world much, or games for that matter. EVE-ONLINE is completely player driven and the lore of certain companies and factions has been completely player driven, and vast compared to most MMO's.
 
Last, please explain again how Death Wing is a completely new story with new lore??? I'd really like to hear you try to spin it in some fantastical direction.

While many of the quests from 1-60 may be similar there have been some very noticeable changes.  First is that they looked at every quest in the game in every zone.  Removed ones that were outdated, revamped ones that were still relevant, and added new ones to adjust to changes to the zones such as the horde taking over silverwind (think that's the name) refuge in Ashenvale and a huge horde/alliance presence in stonetalon now.  Also many of the zones besides visual changes have received level changes.  For instance the plaguelands' are both now in the 40's instead of upper 50's.

bighairycamel

You seem to be taking this very personally.  Try not to get so worked up about criticism and life will be more enjoyable.

First of all, you obviously missed the point of the analogy.  I was in no way comparing a silly video game to Citizen Kane.  The point was you can't judge something based off a few minutes of face time.  I could have used anything for that analogy I just landed on Citizen Kane for some reason.

Second, go back and read in my first reply that I agreed the level 1-10 quests are essentially the same.   Beyond that is where you get the real meat and potatoes of entry level changes, which from the sound you never even got to.  And speaking of dichotomy, you say they haven't changed but yet they're different enough that it irritates you so much?  Or at least the "flow" as you put it?

Third, I was specifically speaking about WoW when it comes to cutscenes and it's my fault for not making that clear.  But up until now, neither vanilla WoW nor the expansions worked with cutscenes so much, and it makes average kill-this/collect-that quests more enjoyable, subject to opinion of course.

Forth, there is a reason why the game hasn't "evolved".  It's a proven winning formula (from the standpoint that millions still play 6 years later).  Why change something that isn't broken for the sake of change?  The only thing that would accomplish would be to piss off investors.

Lastly, when did I ever say Deathwing was a completely new story?  Or maybe you weren't referring to me.  Regardless, I'll play your game.  Just because a character existed prior to this new content doesn't mean he's rehashed.  In WoW lore he was banished but never killed, and now he's broken loose. The story beyond the shattering hasn't happened yet and players are part of the continuing lore.  Several events occur in-game during questing that even furthers the characters plight.  The defeat of Arthas, for example, wasn't written in lore until players defeated him and the same will be true for Deathwing.  Many enjoy being part of that, and on the contrary to your beliefs players expect to see and do battle against characters they know from lore.

If that isn't your cup of tea, more power to you.  Just don't take it so personally when people disagree or when others disregard your opinion because you have no real face time.

Then don't jack my thread...if you disagree, humbly disagree, and move on. The personal attacks were started from posters responding to me, and I responded in kind. So please don't feed me that line...read the entire thread, and if you haven't then you shouldn't be responding.
 
You "Landed" on citizen kane because your reference was really about another entertainment form, movies, and in that respect Citizen Kane is labeled as the best movie ever made by most, so you decided to use that, because you believe that WoW is the best MMO/Game ever made, therefore the analogy for you a righteous one....moving on... Since you feel that way and someone criticized it, thus your rhetorical responses to my posts and my review. Nothing in my review is derrogatory, nor does it lambast players of the game. Go back and read it again...
 
Once again you're wrong, I said the flow of the lands and the gaming world, not the quests, the quests are basically the same, and the quest lines haven't changed much at all. Did you even read my initial review? It explains what I'm talking about. BTW the character that I started new is now lvl 30, so I'm wondering where you're going with this lvl10 it all changes diatribe...
 
If you don't like my review, don't read it, it's as simple as that. If you disagree with my review, great, that's your right. However, be a grown-up and disagree in an amiable fashion then move on.
Furthermore, you may disagree with and dislike my comments about Blizzard. Sorry, it's my opinion, that's why I labeled it as a review. I'll refresh you since you don't seem to want to read everything. Blizzard has 3 brands, and 3 brands only, they have had these three brands for over ten years, actually it's more like fifteen years. They've fleshed out all of the stories to a degree where the lore is stale. This is my problem with Blizzard, since you seem to be a movie buff I'll play along, just like the Indiana Jones series, they fleshed the story out and the last movie sucked, it was horrid...same with the new Star Wars movies etc.
 
Blizzard in my opinion needs to focus on a new brand, with all of that talent and creativity, the end product doesn't match the talent at their headquarters. Do you really believe StarCraft II held up to the original? I don't....do you really believe WoW has gotten that much better? I don't... just my opinion...

guild wars 2 baby now only it they would not realease in q4 of 2011.

go play guild wars 2 please. LETS KILL WOW altogether now. COME TOGETHER RIGht NOW ...LETS END WOW.  I think wow was the most lame attempt ever at a video game lol. Sure they lost 3 of my cd keys while they did that whole transistion to battle.net and the player base is horrible and the graphics are worse than dora the explorer. Grinding for no reason. spells get old fast, landscape is not pertty and above all the 15 bucks to play the game.