World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role playing game that was developed by Blizzard Entertainment and was released for the PC on November 22, 2004.
|
Developer: Blizzard Publisher: Vivendi Universal Games Release Date: November 22, 2004 Platforms: PC JustRPG Score: 80% Pros: +Many classes and races to choose from. +Ten years worth of content is available. +Decent visuals. +Memorable story line. Cons: -Some balance issues. -Requires a monthly subscription. -Repetitive. -Ruins your social life. |
World of Warcraft Overview
World of Warcraft is the world’s longest running successful MMORPG. Players can choose from two factions, multiple races per faction, and many classes when creating their character. The game also offers ten years worth of content for the player to explore and leveling new characters has become easier over the years. The end game scene is also very well done and could provide countless hours of gameplay. Overall World of Warcraft is the world’s most successful MMORPG and any serious gamer should give it a try at some point.
World of Warcraft Screenshots
World of Warcraft Featured Video
World of Warcraft Review
| In its short history, Blizzard’s World of Warcraft has shattered sales, account creation and population records in the MMORPG market. Not only in North America, but worldwide. Already considered a giant in its youth, I bring to you part one of a multi-part review of this mammoth game. |
| Graphics (Looks and Feel) – Grade 98% |
| To sum it up in one word, phenomenal. The smoothness of textures and vibrant colors melding into beautiful landscape collages is absolutely exhilarating. Even after playing for an extended period of time, I continue to notice new details and am never ‘bored’ of the scenery. |
 |
Having reviewed and played many other MMORPGs, I had heard rumors that WoW was ‘too cartoony’ and not ‘realistic’ enough. Last I checked, this is a “fantasy” role-playing game. The graphics should be fantastic, and they are. |
| Gameplay (Controls and Interface) – Grade 90% |
| The controls of the game are what is to be expected from any MMORPG: fully customizable hot-keys and mappings make it so you can play, your way. The ability to rotate 360 degrees around your character as well as zoom-in and zoom-out from first to third person allows you to play from any angle. |
|
While the interface is well thought out and has a very appealing look and feel, it lacks the customizability of the controls. The various actions for your character can be made into buttons to be placed on a ‘hot-bar’ or ‘quick-bar,’ however only one of these bars is visible at a time and as your character progresses the need for more hot-bars is evident. Thankfully there have been some third party interface modifications developed such as COSMOS (which includes a variety of excellent add-on tools) and GypsyMod. These are not necessities but definitely help. Blizzard has also been making modifications to the standard interface, addressing several issues, and plans to release these changes in their upcoming patch. |
 |
| Characters – Grade 88% |
| Let’s face it, the biggest reason you play an MMORPG is to create and develop a character in an alternate world of fun and fantasy. That’s why this deserves its own category. |
| Character Creation |
| WoW offers a very simplified character creation system. No more worrying about which stats to place where. Should I give him more Strength? Does she need more Intelligence? A few simple steps, and you’ll have your avatar:1. Select your race (Eight to choose from) 2. Select Male or Female 3. Choose your class (Up to ten to choose from, depending on race) 4. Establish an appearance for your character (Hairstyle, color, skin tone etc.) 5. Name it and you’re done! |
| Character Development |
| Character development, on the surface, is also fairly straightforward. As you gain experience by adventuring, slaying monsters, and completing quests, you simply go to your specific class trainers and learn new abilities. |
 |
As you advance into higher levels, your character begins to accumulate talent points which can then be distributed (as you see fit) into specific talents and therefore allows for total customization of your character. The variety of talents won’t be discussed in this review as it is a vast, oft-debated, topic. |
| Questing – Grade 94% |
| As in most MMORPGs, WoW has hundreds upon hundreds of individual quests for your character to complete. The variety of distinctly different quest types is impressive. From delivering messages or packages as favors to others, all the way up to defeating massive villains in a group encounter. |
| To summarize it, questing in WoW, was well thought out and is very enjoyable. |
| Tradeskills – Grade 82% |
| Now a staple of most online massively multi-player games, tradeskills are usually a key component to immersion and economical factors of the world. In World of Warcraft, tradeskilling has been extremely simplified in comparison to other complex systems such as that of Everquest 2. This is appealing to the casual player but not necessarily to the time-rich die-hard tradeskill fans. |
|
While there are hundreds of unique and interesting items that can be crafted in WoW, it is not nearly as integral a part of the item and cash economy as in EQ2. From a personal standpoint, tradeskilling should be a little more in-depth and interesting. |
 |
| Immersion – Grade 92% |
| Immersion in a fantasy world involves many factors, such as soundtrack, graphics, community, lore & history, and good old fun. World of Warcraft has an excellent soundtrack and sound effects to keep you interested and on your toes, and the graphics are outstanding (see above). |
| Lore & History |
| The best source of in-game Lore 7 history seems to be through quests; none of this is extremely in-depth but it serves its purpose. For lore buffs familiar with the Everquest world, you might be slightly disappointed. However, WoW is still an infant as compared to the age-oldEQ, so there is plenty of time for Blizzard to expand the world and flesh out the history and culture. Reading through manuals as well as playing Warcraft 1, 2 and 3 will give the lore buffs a lot to debate until more in-depth history is provided in-game. |
 |
In the follow-up review we will discuss other aspects of this giant MMORPG, such as the PvP system current and future, as well as guild management and community. Stay tuned to Just-RPG for more WoW reviews, previews, and updates. |
Final Grade: 90%
World of Warcraft Screenshots
World of Warcraft Videos
World of Warcraft Trailer