Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne

Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne is a shining example of the quality we have come to respect in Blizzard Entertainment. An expansion pack that welcomes you back to the real-time strategy/RPG world of Warcraft, as we continue the story from the original Warcraft III: The Reign of Chaos through many new and exciting additions. 26 intriguing missions scattered across five beautiful tilesets await you in the single-player campaign that chronicles the events after the Burning Legion was finally defeated by the mighty alliance of Orcs, Humans and Night Elves in the battle of Mount Hyjal. But it was not to be a complete victory as the Lich King, Illidan Stormrage and Arthas still remain to destroy the fragile calm that has settled over the lands.

Each of the four races (Orcs, Humans, Undead, Night Elves) has been given a new hero along with two new units. For example, the Night Elves have the Warden hero along with the Mountain Giant and Faerie Dragon units. I liked the Warden hero and her blink ability because it brought into play some new elements. This special ability allows you to teleport a short distance which you can use to find special items in hidden and hard to reach areas of the Night Elf campaign. There is one optional quest in the game that you must use this ability to complete. The Mountain Giant is an impressive and powerful new unit and I liked their ability to increase strength by picking up a nearby tree and swinging it mightily against enemy units. The Faerie Dragon unit was interesting because it has a phase shift ability which allows it to avoid damage temporarily after it has been hit.

You will literally be swept away by two new CGI cutscenes and the intense story that drives each of the new missions across three intricately detailed and well-developed campaigns. In the first Night Elf campaign you play Warden Maiev Shadowsong who is determined to hunt Illidan Stormrage and at all costs return him to his prison. You find that this will not be easy. As you venture forth on this quest you will discover a new race of sea creatures known as the Naga. What is their dark secret and purpose in the scheme of things? In the second human campaign, you will come across a group calling themselves the Blood Elves, part of the shattered elven nation that hungers for the taste of magic and seeks vengeance for the massacre of their people. Where will their vengeance and thirst for magic lead them? What of Arthas, the Undead and the Lich King? All are important elements in the final and third Undead campaign that will decide the fate of all!

One of the major reasons that I enjoyed this expansion as I did the original game is the excellent RPG element. For example, heroes gain experience from battle that you can use to develop their special abilities. Each hero eventually gains an ultimate power after enough experience and levels have been obtained. The Blood Elf hero is able to call forth a mighty Phoenix in battle as their ultimate power. The Warden hero can raise a spirit that will fight alongside her in battle. Heroes also have inventory slots that allow you to attach special items that you find in the game. These special items will be able to increase many of your stats, such as strength and hit points.

Be sure to examine each and every area as some very rare and special treasures will be located only by those that take the time to look for them. There is even a secret level you will definitely enjoy playing if you discover and unlock it in one of the missions. The strong RPG element is evident in the various special quests you must undertake. Not all involve building up your forces and attacking a nearby enemy. Some have you taking a small party of units into an area and attempting to solve its mysteries. One exciting quest will have you assembling a powerful magical artifact, to yet another in which you must escort a caravan of Blood Elves through Undead territory. You will find that you are always ready to play just one more mission as the epic story with its suspenseful plot twists and exciting gameplay deliver a memorable experience you won’t soon forget.

Blizzard Entertainment has excelled admirably in delivering an expansion pack that serves as the model for others to follow. It goes to show you that a company does not have to skimp on quality, content and entertainment just because it is an expansion pack. This expansion pack also serves to develop the rich history of our much beloved Warcraft world which will continue in the MMORPG, World of Warcraft, expected for release in 2004. The Orcs were even given a special bonus campaign of their own since they do not play any part in the overall story being told here. Their story was masterfully completed for now in the original game. Part one is included in the expansion pack, with two remaining parts to be released by Blizzard in the future.Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne is easily one of the finest expansion packs in recent memory and it may be that only a few will ever surpass it!

Pros:

• Two impressive new CGI cutscenes
• Graphics just as impressive as in the original game
• Exemplary and well-designed levels
• Masterful story with exciting plot twists told over three new campaigns
• 26 missions across five new and beautiful tilesets
• Exciting quests with many unique RPG elements to undertake
• Excellent voice acting
• A new hero as well as two new units for each race
• An incredible secret level that is very fun to play
• A bonus campaign for the Orcs

Cons:

• More CGI cutscenes would have been appreciated