World of Warcraft

Reviewed by Alex Llamas
April 2005

Developer: Blizzard Entertainment Website: Click Here Publisher: Vivendi Universal Platform(s): PC, Mac Genre: MMORPG ESRB Rating: T (Teen) Review Rating: 8 out of 10

World of Warcraft, or WoW as it's called by its enthusiasts, seems to be Blizzard's answer to the MMORPG question. Addictive and innovative describe WoW as it takes the user out of the RPG stone-age and places him/her in a simple-to-use game interface, with memorable controls that enhance the game play experience. But before you discover the World, you need to get a few details in order. Firstly, you need to create your character. Will he/she be Alliance or Horde? The Alliance is comprised of Dwarves, Gnomes, Night Elves, and Humans. The Horde is made up of Orcs, Trolls, Undead, and the mighty Tauren. Each race with its own limitations, but each is granted abilities only open their own species. The next step is to choose the class for your avatar: Warrior, Rogue, Shaman, Monk, Mage, Warlock, or Hunter. I created a Tauren Warrior as mine. Unfortunately Bervomince (my Tauren warrior) looks a lot like every other Tauren out there due to the limitations on the appearance generator. You'll find that as soon as you appear in this world, you have something to do. Quests will direct you in your adventures from the very start, marking themselves with undying yellow exclamation marks. Most could be seen as tedious, but only the quest given to you by your leader will lead you down the story line. WoW is based on a Character Leveling system, much like one you find in Warcraft 3 with a few subtle differences. All of your skills, with the exception of the ones you start out with, will need to be bought at a trainer for your class in any town. Secondary professions are also available, bringing a much needed interactive feeling to this world. Grind out about 10 levels and surprise, Talents arrive, furthering your ability to customize your character. With an experience cap at Level 60, the game seems endless: after my meager 34 hours of gameplay barely dented a 22 nd level, I realized how challenging it will be to attain the 60th. Mounts don't become available until later in the game, so get used to running a lot. Mounts aren't the only way to get around though; Gryphons are available so you can fly from all far corners of your continent to the other in seconds.

The bane of every MMORPG players existence out there is character death in-game. While as in most games when you die, you are miraculous resurrected, they give things like wounds, item damage, gear deterioration, sometimes even lost experience. Death however isn't uncommon in WoW. You will die a lot, so much so that Blizzard has gone out of its was to make sure you see their innovation. When you die in WoW your spirit is released in your "Home" town in a slightly colorless spirit world. In the graveyard you have the choice to be either resurrected on the spot by the angel of death or hoof it back to your body out in the boonies to resurrect out there. If you choose the angel, there will be a price to pay, 25 percent from all your gear. But at least you get a choice, unlike other games *cough* Galaxies *cough*. But here's the bad news. The 50 bucks you've been saving for the game might have to wait a few more months untouched. A near total server failure looms over the game post launch, with Blizzard struggling to pick up the pieces. Vivendi has stopped production and shipment of WoW in order to give more time to Blizzard to repair this problem. With the occasional glitch here and there, rebooting the game could be just what the doctor ordered.

PC system requirements for WoW:

800 MHz or Higher CPU
256 MB or more of RAM
32 MB 3D graphics card or better
4 GB or more of Hard Drive space
56k internet connection or better
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP

Recommended PC system specs for WoW:

2.8 GHz or higher CPU
512 MB DDR or more of RAM
128 MB 3D graphics card or better
HIGH SPEED INTERNET!

This game has definite pluses that aren't offered with any other MMO to date, but like most MMOs, it has room to expand (Do I sense a WoW franchise on the prowl?)  Overall WoW is a good gameplay experience. The story line could become more addictive than the game. With different interface, challenging quests, and an addictive beat, this game worth the buy.  I happen to believe WoW is one of the best MMOs I have ever played. You enter a world of surreal colors, vivid creatures, and memorable landscapes, a world where you can let your inner Tauren out (as have I) and let the stomping begin.

More Review(s):     World of Warcraft - End of Year Review: BlizzCon Edition (Nov 2005)