World of Warcraft (World of Warcraft (PC))

Member Name: Trampmaster90

Product:	World of Warcraft (PC)
Date:	18/05/09 (10 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Huge world, extremely diverse

Disadvantages: Has suscription and addicting

World of Warcraft, otherwise known as WoW is a massive online multiplayer roleplaying game in which you level up a character and join others on fun quests to earn items and gain understanding to the story.

That is it, put VERY simply. The game is about that, and sooo much more. So best to start from the beginning.

As with most online games, there are many servers to chose from, with WoW it runs into the hundreds if not thousands but don't quote me on that. What I do know is that it has one of the largest user base out of any other MMO out there. With something like 9 million world-wide suscriptions. You chose a server or realm from your region ie Europe, and then chose the server type you wish. These being either PvP, PvE, or Roleplaying. But I'll discuss these a bit later.

Ok so now you're set you can chose a faction, Horde or Alliance. Back when I was playing around 2005, each faction had a more distinct set of classes, but since newer expansions, they've been more equalised. However as this is a review on the 1st game I'll just speak about the classes we find here.

Alliance - The "good guys" you could say, where you can chose between human, elf, dwarf and gnomes. From these expand certain classes including paladin, warrior, hunter, priest, druid, mage and rogue. Not all classes are available for all races.

Horde - The "Bad guys" where you can chose between Orcs, Tauren, Trolls and Undead, classes available are warrior, shaman, priests, mage, warlock, hunter and rogue.

Each class has its advantages and disadvantages ie the type of armour it can wear, damage it can take and damage it can deal.

After that is all done, and youve sorted out your beard colour, hair style etc you're ready to adventure. And from there till you stop playing you go on a huge adventure where you will meet other players, make friend and quest in groups etc. In a way it's similar to anyone who has ever played guild wars. And the community is just fantastic. You can join guilds, work your way up to the top, try to earn the best armour and items and you may even take over or make your own guild.

Types of servers. Here we have PvE - this is best for players who are more interested in battling in groups againt the AI ie monsters not controlled by other humans. Here you cannot be attacked by the other faction outside the city unless you turn on pvp manually and cannot attack in a horde area unless you have already been attacked.

PvP - Basically the opposite of above, you can be attacked everywhere outside your faction's area and it can be annoying as you are vulnerable to higher level classes. More difficult to quest but also great fun.

Roleplaying - For players who take the game very seriously, ie you talk to other people as you would in real life and really take on your role. A bit nerdy though if you ask me.

So what are the game's disadvantages? First it requires a monthly suscription which can be paid on a monthly, 3 month or 6 month basis. It's around 12 euros a month or less if you buy in bulk ie longer term. Second there are loads of large updates which require alot of time to download and install. Also the game generally takes up a huge amount of your time if you take it seriously and get into it. And being honest to make it anywhere good or earn the tp items you need to be really dedicated and that can be addicting and make you addicted. Bad for your health and others around you. I'm not joking on this, people really get hooked on this game.

However if you take it casually there is still alot of fun to be had, thousands of quests to do. You can level from 1 - 60 in this 1st game and achieve higher levels in later expansions, aswell as more quests and areas. The area in this alone is huge, alot you may never explore.

I could go on forever writing about this game because it really does have so much content. Content is always being updated, you can contact GMs (people who are paid by blizzard to help with enquiries) so everything you need is in the game. There are large cities, trains and gryphons to ride as transport and just an insane diversity. You can ride mounts, get skills ie skinning, blacksmith and there are even auctions. A mini world in a game. Graphics are pretty decent, 3D similar to that of warcraft 3 and sound is great with music etc.
Even the weather changes!

An overall brilliant game that deserves to be tried, at your own addictive risk though.

Summary: An amazing game which scores high in all marks