Monday 18 October 2010

The trouble with Cataclysm



In general, I'm a huge fan of the latest WOW expansion, Cataclysm. Blizzard have introduced widespread changes to the game (to the extent that it can almost be considered WOW 2) and advanced the broader plot and relations between the Horde and Alliance in a realistic way.

I like the way the classes have been revamped and I'm overjoyed at the inclusion of Goblins from an RP perspective. Even the way Blizzard has worked in werewolves Worgen has been reasonably compatible with existing lore and will likely draw a new fanbase to the game. Better still, they'll be drawn to the Alliance, which means the grand influx of drooling LOLers that has afflicted the Horde since the arrival of the Blood Elves may abate somewhat.

So what's the problem? Well, I've just seen the Cataclysm trailer, which places heavy emphasis on the expansion's big nemesis, Deathwing, and I'm really not bothered if he lives or dies. He's just a big dragon. We've fought countless big dragons before and it doesn't feel all that special. I know Deathwing is deeply grounded in lore, but I just don't feel any animosity towards him. I really disliked Kael'thas and Arthas, because they had defined personalities that you could get to grips with. But Deathwing? Meh.

I want to wipe that smug smile off Varian's face or laugh at Garrosh headbutting himself to death against a steel mirror, but Deathwing is just a void. Apart from being big and fierce, what do we know about his personality?

Without that kind of emotional involvement in his demise, I can't escape the feeling that this may lead to us all feeling a bit let down when Deathwing finally falls. Does anyone really care?

2 comments:

  1. I don't know, I've always been a big fan of the dragons. Back in the day Onyxia was one of my favourite instances.. cause hey, I got to fight a big dragon ;)

    Deathwing's story is something that I enjoy, and I think I do care. He was sort of behind the scenes in a way it felt like in Vanilla due to Nefarian and Onyxia being around. Also knowing his story with Alexstrasza and everything that went down in the Second War.. I dunno.. I can't help it, but I like Deathwing coming.. To me he's really "the big, bad".

    Sure, Arthas was too.. But I don't think Deathwing is any less so. Maybe it's partly because in WoW itself we've seen very little of him, whereas Arthas has at least been mentioned at times.

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  2. I think Arthas was always going to be hard to top. After all we controlled him as he fell from grace. If you've played Warcraft 3 then I think Arthas was it - as Illidan was pretty special in TBC.

    For me, Wrath was about Arthas, Cata is about new races and the changes to the game as a whole.

    Deathwing? Meh

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