Warlords of Draenor is one of the best World of Warcraft expansions yet (review)

Server and even faction-specific launch issues aside, Warlords of Draenor is worth every single cent it costs.

The fifth expansion for the hit MMORPG World of Warcraft explores the otherworldly planet of Draenor in a time before it had been engulfed by the Burning Legion. It’s tied in to a present day storyline involving Garrosh Hellscream, who sets the Iron Horde – the game’s primary antagonists – into motion by escaping back in time to unite the Orcs before they drank demonic blood. Garrosh, who believes in the supremacy of the Horde, hopes to use this Iron Horde to take over the world.

Blizzard Entertainment has really pulled out the stops in this game. It has introduced the most number of new features in a single expansion yet. Where expansion number two, Wrath of the Lich King, merely explored the concept of phasing – allowing players to experience different things in the same area depending on their level of progress in the game – Warlords embraces it.

It’s because of phasing that players are able to enjoy a rich storyline that weaves through the entire world of Draenor. The new world is vast, but it’s made even bigger by the game allowing players to experience different scenarios on top of the usual grind and fetch quests. Instead of linear questlines, phasing allows players to sit through massive battles that truly immerse them in the game. It also gives them the opportunity to own a garrison.

Garrisons are home bases that a player can take ownership of, upgrade, enhance, and benefit from. It provides a player with extra crafting materials, repeatable quests, and more importantly, a place to call home. This is a big part of Warlords of Draenor.

What’s really interesting is that the garrison borrows a bit from a popular mobile game mechanic, where individual units or cards can be upgraded at the expense of other, commoner cards. Warlords sees the player acquiring different NPC hero units who can be sent on quests for items and experience points, with these quests being activated at garrisons. The stronger the NPC hero, the better the quest it can go on.

Typically, the game has always only had the player focus on his or her main character. While Warlords doesn’t allow the consumption of other units to strengthen existing heroes, it’s pretty cool to see this management mechanic in play in an MMORPG. And these just are two major changes to the game.

What Blizzard has done a really amazing job with isn’t just the pretty new skylines or vast expanses of alien pastures and their accompanying prehistoric Talbuk mounts. World of Warcraft has somewhat returned to its roots of being a hardcore MMORPG, as I’ve found out after hitting 100 over the weekend. This is where player coordination and individual skill were needed in order to progress.

Dungeons are tough, heroic dungeons are tougher, and raids are probably going to make a lot of people rage and quit. I haven’t wiped (a term commonly used in World of Warcraft to describe your entire group dying) in an ordinary dungeon for years, but Warlords made me. Several times. It’s a step up from the more casual, solo play that third and fourth expansion packs, Cataclysm and Mists of Pandaria introduced, and for a returning player like myself, it’s a much welcome change.