World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Hands-on Preview
Post by Supervirus , 2009-08-22 10:02:36 Source： 1up Editor：Shirley
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm's two new races, Worgen for the Alliance and Goblin for the Horde, weren't exactly surprises thanks to rampant speculation and leaked info. But it's another thing to log onto the third expansion's test realms here at Blizzcon and test drive the two. But before we get to those hands-on impressions, let's first take a look at all the other wonderful additions the expansion will bring.
The World Will Change
True to its name, Cataclysm will serve up many world-changing features, quite literally in some instances. The big black dragon Deathwing has been biding his time underground, and in this third expansion, his resurfacing starts a chain of, well, cataclysmic events that shift Azeroth's geology. WOW's original zones will be permanently changed in aesthetics (volcanic fissures erupt, once dry deserts may become verdant), structure (Darkshore will be flooded and Auberdine all but destroyed, Azshara now links directly to Orgrimmar), and level progression (Barrens has split into two zones, one for low-level questing and the other for high-level questing).
The hope is, of course, to provide new players with early leveling content that is up to par with the technologies explored in the last two expansions, but the changes will obviously have a deep resonance with long-time players as well. Revisiting Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms post-Burning Crusade was considered a chore, and most people wouldn't bother to unless absolutely necessary (for auction houses, etc.) post-flying mount acquisition. Hearing that Blizzard will irrevocably change the old zones, however, manages to trigger a tremendous amount of nostalgia, as well as curiosity. If done right, this will be a real treat for anyone wanting to revisit old Azeroth with fresh eyes once again. Besides, what veteran WOW player doesn't like yet another opportunity to espouse upon the "good old days" when "mounts used to be expensive" and "we needed 40 good men and women to take down Molten Core"? We almost feel sorry for new players who will never be able to fully appreciate the dramatic changes to the landscape (though we suppose the joke's on us vets, as new players will get a whole new, much more polished and streamlined experience).
Along with the geographical changes, Cataclysm will also raise the level cap from 80 to 85. Though it may initially seem strange that the expansion will only let you move up a measly five levels, Blizzard promises players will get more than enough content to keep them busy. Even though you will only have five levels to gain, you'll be able to further develop your character by progressing through the new "Path of the Titans," which is tied in some way to the Archeology skill, and is independent of talents and class. And for those who are deeply involved in guild activities, you'll be happy to hear of the new guild leveling system. You and your guildmates can work together to obtain up to 20 levels for your guild, earning such perks as lower durability hits and repair fees, as well as the ability to do a mass resurrection (for those unfortunate raid wipes).
The focus here is not on the level grind or new talents (though you will get to put your five additional points into the existing talent trees); rather, it is on enriching what's already there, with added support from new content -- landscape changes, two new races and their starting zones, new race combinations (Gnome Priests!), new rated battlegrounds, and outdoor PvP objectives area, high-level zones (Uldum, Grim Batol, and the Sunken City of Vashj'ir, which will likely take place almost entirely underwater), more extensive use of the phasing technology found in the Death Knight starting area (now including the ability to phase terrain), the new secondary skill Archeology, and the ability to fly everywhere.
