Game Review: World of WarCraft

The Basics Produced by Blizzard Entertainment Released in 2004 A Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) that continues the storyline (somewhat) of the Real-Time Strategy WarCraft series In store cost: $49.99 Additional costs: Monthly fee around $14.00

The Requirements Minimum System Requirements (PC) – Intel Pentium III 800 MHz or AMD Athlon 800 MHz –256 MB RAM –32 MB 3D graphics card w/ Hardware Transform and Lighting –DirectX® 9.0c –4.0 GB available hard drive space –4x CD-ROM drive –56k internet connection or better

The Requirements (cont.) MY system specifications (which still creates lag on busy day/nights) –Intel Pentium IV 3.0 GHz with HyperThreading –1 GB of RAM –128 MB ATI Radeon 9200 graphics card –Broadband Internet access

The Overview Players can choose between eight different races in two different factions –Alliance: Human, Night elf, Dwarf, and Gnome –Horde: Orc, Tauren, Troll, and Undead Players can then choose between nine different classes to play as (although certain classes are available only to certain races) –Druid, Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior

The Storyline Occurs four years after events in WarCraft 3: The Frozen Throne Has some elements to the continuation of main story Having no “Final Boss”, does not truly follow a unique story

The Installation Four CDs make up the initial installation of World of WarCraft After initial install, players must set up an account with Blizzard Players must then update game to current standards (last full update: 220 MB download)

User Interface Simplistic Use mouse to control camera W, A, S, D to move character (customizable) Abilities can be used by either number buttons or mouse click

The Scoring Two ways to “score” –Experience (leveling) Max level of 60 More experience is needed to reach each level Experience is gained in battle, and by finishing quests –Honor (Player versus Player [PvP] rank) Tiered system Honor gained by killing opposing faction player characters

The Features Artwork –Cartoonish –Crisp, clean edges –Few pixel “hangings” Sound and Music –Each area has unique music –Nature sounds prevalent in most areas –Music gets boring as players will spend many hours in same area during game

The Other Features Special Features –Auction House Allows players to sell acquired items to others easily Provides alternative income to monetary drops by monsters –Battlegrounds PvP action Defined goal to win, rewards for winners Fastest way to gain levels in Honor system

The Manual 208 page tome Extremely useful to new players –Teaches basic controls –Provides map of world –Introduction to races/classes Also provides a “catch-up” on the story through WarCraft 3: The Frozen Throne

The Bugs Do appear, especially after a patch has added to world Blizzard works to repair bugs quickly Players can report to game masters (GM) GM also available to assist in problems encountered during gameplay

The Good Community –Players can meet interesting people through game play –Most players are willing to answer questions asked in general chat Simplicity Versatility –Offers character types for everyone –Can be played anytime

The Bad Community –While some players are helpful, others can be annoying, stupid or abusive –Thieves crop up in groups occasionally Size –Early on, players must walk everywhere –Some locations are quite far away

The Appropriate Audience Rated T for Teen –Contains violence –Contains alcohol You can get drunk It affects your vision It may also give you bonuses to stats (like strength)

The Design Mistakes None encountered to date, but I am not finished with game by a long shot

The Summary Entertaining Enjoyable Long Worth purchasing (to me)

The Random Screens Me on my kitty Me fishing

The Random Screens (cont.) A gourp in a dungeonA gourp in a dungeon

The End