World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (PC)

It's not about hitting level 80; it's the journey getting there.
11/26/2008 8:10 PM | 4 Comments | Page 4 of 4

With only two levels to 80 (side note: Once you hit 77, you can regain your flying mount abilities for a mere 1,000 gold), I wanted to check out Sholazar Basin, home of Hemet Nesingwary and his band of big game hunters. The zone pits two rival factions against each other, and the player must choose sides for specific faction rewards. The choice of faction isn't permanent, however, as completing a daily quest in a different way can immediately shift your standing to favorable with the other faction. When I had completed the zone, I was only two bars from level 80, and was able to pick those two bars up with a few quick quests in Icecrown.

As we bring this story to a close, there is still much to explore, including the PvP zone of Wintergrasp and a deeper understanding of the story revolving around Arthas. It took me about 10 days to hit 80 at a somewhat leisurely pace, allowing me to also max out my fishing, first aid and mining skills, and become an expert in unarmed combat (yes, it was an achievement). Blizzard has provided an incredible amount of depth in this expansion, with more ambiance and interesting gameplay than in the original and first expansion combined. And for the casual WoW player who wants to get a feel for everything and not just blast through to the end game, this expansion is well worth the $40.

Now if you'll excuse me, Artdarkist is needed in Icecrown. I'll be sure to send some letters from the front.

This review is based on a retail copy of the game purchased by the reviewer.