Title says it all. World of Warcraft has, since it's release several years ago, has been a top seller with a massive fanbase and has become pretty much the top dog of online multiplayer games for a long time. But do you actually consider it to be a good game? And I realise that what you may or may not consider to be "good" will be different from person to person, so feel free to explain your criteria if you wish.
Poll: Do you consider World of Warcraft to be a GOOD game?
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Yes.
World of Warcraft used to be a great game, and as deserving of its enormous success as much as any game can deserve that. I always think of it as the Halo of MMOs - not the first and not the best, but very polished. It looks good and it's very accessible, and the gameplay is near flawless.
By which I mean there's never a moment in WoW when you try to do something and fail because the controls or the camera let you down. It's smooth, responsive and superbly balanced. I've done things in WoW, like the Ironman Challenge (a player devised levelling experience with a lot of restrictions and perma-death) that would be near impossible in oany other MMO I can think of, because only WoW offers that level of precision and control.
All that said, I sress 'used to be' a great game. It's still good mechanically, but Blizzard have been resting on their laurels for years and seem either unwilling or unable to do anything that matters anymore. With so much money and such a huge and still loyal fanbase they could have done so much more in the genre. Instead they remain in their comfort zone of raids and dailies, with a reliance on linear story telling that has crushed the life out of their world, and show little inclination to take any risks at all.
So yes, a good game, but it could have been so much more than what it's become, and that's a damn shame for the entire MMO genre.
World of Warcraft used to be a great game, and as deserving of its enormous success as much as any game can deserve that. I always think of it as the Halo of MMOs - not the first and not the best, but very polished. It looks good and it's very accessible, and the gameplay is near flawless.
By which I mean there's never a moment in WoW when you try to do something and fail because the controls or the camera let you down. It's smooth, responsive and superbly balanced. I've done things in WoW, like the Ironman Challenge (a player devised levelling experience with a lot of restrictions and perma-death) that would be near impossible in oany other MMO I can think of, because only WoW offers that level of precision and control.
All that said, I sress 'used to be' a great game. It's still good mechanically, but Blizzard have been resting on their laurels for years and seem either unwilling or unable to do anything that matters anymore. With so much money and such a huge and still loyal fanbase they could have done so much more in the genre. Instead they remain in their comfort zone of raids and dailies, with a reliance on linear story telling that has crushed the life out of their world, and show little inclination to take any risks at all.
So yes, a good game, but it could have been so much more than what it's become, and that's a damn shame for the entire MMO genre.
No matter what you may think of the current state of the game, to argue that it has been an objectively bad game flies completely in the face of it's massive success and popularity.
Even nowadays, I would argue that the problem isn't that it is a bad game. The problem is that it is a good game, and only a good game, when people expect more and better than just 'good' out of it.
Even nowadays, I would argue that the problem isn't that it is a bad game. The problem is that it is a good game, and only a good game, when people expect more and better than just 'good' out of it.
Yes, I do consider it to be a good game. First of all the gameplay is rock solid, the UI, mechanics and controls are all responsive, satisfying and accessible. This is really a strong point of Blizzard's design, if you just open any of the games they've released since 1999 and look at the main menus you will notice that they really are noteworthy for being animated, atmospheric and functional. In warcraft 3 the way the wooden tiles fall from the top, the whooshing in starcraft, the fire and darkness in Diablo.
This might seem superfluous, but if you think about it WoW is ALL interface menus; inventory, skills, talents, loot, pets, equipment, hotbars etc. A fair amount of the game is dealing with these windows and they just feel satisfying to use. The whole system of navigating the game feels like an oiled brass engine that's been running just long enough for all the pieces to wear in.
The art design, animations and graphics all feel in tune with the setting and subject matter. It's widely varied and is updated to keep pace with newer hardware.
The mechanics are engaging compared to other MMOPRGs but NOT to FPSRPGs; people either like the RPG mechanics or they don't, but if they are going to like an MMORPG I would bet that this is one they would like. The progression is snappy and accessible but gradually becomes deeper. It is not the most hardcore but it satisfies most when it comes to end game content.
The story is really the most variable aspect in terms of quality, but the lore that's spread out over every continent is quite engaging, a universe all it's own. As a sequel to the Warcraft strategy games it brings nearly every plot point and character to a satisfying end or continuation and expands upon probably every aspect of the original games and what sequel has ever done that to such a successful extent?
With the expansions they've added a new plot every couple years, some more successful than others but the content and gameplay mechanics they've added ensures that there is content available for nearly any playstyle or taste.
It's a roleplaying game, centered on character building and multiplayer, this won't appeal to some, but it's less tedious than EVE and not as twitch as Planetside 2, in many ways, it's a goldilocks game with really great interface, impressive art design and is perhaps the best sequel ever to one of the oldest, and well selling PC strategy games.
This might seem superfluous, but if you think about it WoW is ALL interface menus; inventory, skills, talents, loot, pets, equipment, hotbars etc. A fair amount of the game is dealing with these windows and they just feel satisfying to use. The whole system of navigating the game feels like an oiled brass engine that's been running just long enough for all the pieces to wear in.
The art design, animations and graphics all feel in tune with the setting and subject matter. It's widely varied and is updated to keep pace with newer hardware.
The mechanics are engaging compared to other MMOPRGs but NOT to FPSRPGs; people either like the RPG mechanics or they don't, but if they are going to like an MMORPG I would bet that this is one they would like. The progression is snappy and accessible but gradually becomes deeper. It is not the most hardcore but it satisfies most when it comes to end game content.
The story is really the most variable aspect in terms of quality, but the lore that's spread out over every continent is quite engaging, a universe all it's own. As a sequel to the Warcraft strategy games it brings nearly every plot point and character to a satisfying end or continuation and expands upon probably every aspect of the original games and what sequel has ever done that to such a successful extent?
With the expansions they've added a new plot every couple years, some more successful than others but the content and gameplay mechanics they've added ensures that there is content available for nearly any playstyle or taste.
It's a roleplaying game, centered on character building and multiplayer, this won't appeal to some, but it's less tedious than EVE and not as twitch as Planetside 2, in many ways, it's a goldilocks game with really great interface, impressive art design and is perhaps the best sequel ever to one of the oldest, and well selling PC strategy games.
Its a successful game, sure. Good? Meh, probably not.
But in a capitalist society, there really isn't a difference between good and successful is there?
But in a capitalist society, there really isn't a difference between good and successful is there?
There's a reason that WoW ate five years of my life. The game is a pale shadow of what it once was during the glory days of Wrath of the Lich King, but that game sucked me in like no other MMO has before, or since.
Even though I don't plan on going back, I miss it, and I don't regret my time with it. It deserves a spot among the greatest games ever made.
Even though I don't plan on going back, I miss it, and I don't regret my time with it. It deserves a spot among the greatest games ever made.
It used to be a great game. These days, it doesn't come further than the 'good' status, and later on in the expansions it usually even drops to just 'decent'. WoW is way past it's glory days. Like that stereotypical guy going through his mid-life crisis. It realizes it has become old, but still tries to relive it's glory days by relying on it's knowledge of what was cool in the past. And now it just goes 'Hey guys, I'm still hip and cool! Really!' every 2 years.
One of the most influential games ever made. There's a reason the genre is now littered with pretenders, and that so many of WoW's gameplay elements are now considered industry standard (whether that's a GOOD THING or not is a different question entirely).
It's tough to keep the energy and creativity going, so WoW perhaps isn't quite the game it was during its zenith, but it's still an excellent product and good value for money. Age and talent bleed is slowly taking its toll, but it will be some time before it fades completely from relevance.
It's tough to keep the energy and creativity going, so WoW perhaps isn't quite the game it was during its zenith, but it's still an excellent product and good value for money. Age and talent bleed is slowly taking its toll, but it will be some time before it fades completely from relevance.
Yes, I had forgotten that I only played WoW because I was a mindless sheep drone, mindlessly obeying the omnipotent marketing deity.Silentpony said:
Thanks for reminding me.
OT:
Sure, WoW is a good game.
As others have pointed out almost every aspect of the game is rock solid.
Massive world, tons of lore, great mechanics, memorable encounters etc. the list goes on.
In played it for some time, and I enjoyed it immensely.
It has a great art style for an MMO (Look how well it's aged), and the controls are tight as a nun. I'd say that qualifies it as a 'pleasant' game, but not a good one.
It used to be good; that part is pretty much fact now. Good luck ever claiming that WoW was at no point good. But today's WoW? It's barely the same game.
The largest issue I see is that there's nothing to work towards. People used to care about getting stronger so that they could see the content. Looking forward to things is what makes us interested and invested in a game. It's what makes us want to get further. Now the content is spoon-fed to players, and there's little to strive for. It's a pretty game. The music is great. But I wouldn't say it's good. What's there is well-made, but there's a line between the two. IMO.
It used to be good; that part is pretty much fact now. Good luck ever claiming that WoW was at no point good. But today's WoW? It's barely the same game.
The largest issue I see is that there's nothing to work towards. People used to care about getting stronger so that they could see the content. Looking forward to things is what makes us interested and invested in a game. It's what makes us want to get further. Now the content is spoon-fed to players, and there's little to strive for. It's a pretty game. The music is great. But I wouldn't say it's good. What's there is well-made, but there's a line between the two. IMO.
The game is great. Those who don't like it have either had to suffer it's tragic decline and so don't play anymore, or simply don't like similar games. But where I have to give it points is it's party system. Due to the assholes who only care about exploiting the dungeons, running through as fast as possible and therefore wiping usually, I decided to get my friends into it. due to the low skill ceiling and relative ease of the game nowadays, I got four of my closest friends hooked on the game and we all thoroughly enjoyed leveling our respective characters. Every dungeon was fun to do, wipes turned into long periods of laughter and when we maxed everything, we started again!
TLDR: Fun with friends, screw you tryhards. I know you want to max everything but that doesn't mean you should ruin dungeons for the rest of us.
TLDR: Fun with friends, screw you tryhards. I know you want to max everything but that doesn't mean you should ruin dungeons for the rest of us.
Yes, absolutely. The controls are solid, the camera is smooth, the UI is clear and easy to navigate. The gameplay is solid and good too. It's steep in lore and it's brilliant. It's easy to play with other people and it's a lot of fun. Every part of it is rock solid, and it still is. The only part I don't like is how it just gives away content you previously had to work for. I get why they did it, I understand not everyone can put the time and effort in (hell, it's like having a part time job). I don't play it anymore personally, but that's because I play FF14 and I don't really enjoy WoW so much anymore, plus I do not want to keep two subscription based games.
I only played it once, but yes. I think it's more than good. But I'm not into MMO's because to get the full experience you're supposed to virtually socialize with other players. WoW is perhaps the best social platform because of that. It combines the fun aspects of a great challenging video game (with a lot of lore as well) with a lot of social aspects.
I can see how that can be highly addictive to people. When I was into CS 1.6 I was a regular on one public server where everybody pretty much knew each other. It felt like home in a way. One year when I was sick I spent the New Year's Eve playing CS 1.6. It's a good memory. And even when you get killed you then get to chat with other dead players and it was just as fun as playing. WoW manages to achieve that on a massive scale. So even if I don't play it, I'd be sad to see it go away because I know how much joy it brings to a lot of people.
I can see how that can be highly addictive to people. When I was into CS 1.6 I was a regular on one public server where everybody pretty much knew each other. It felt like home in a way. One year when I was sick I spent the New Year's Eve playing CS 1.6. It's a good memory. And even when you get killed you then get to chat with other dead players and it was just as fun as playing. WoW manages to achieve that on a massive scale. So even if I don't play it, I'd be sad to see it go away because I know how much joy it brings to a lot of people.
Agree with the comments "was good/great".
Like most of Blizzard's hits it was an exceptionally polished evolution of earlier games when it came out, the king of a genre. That was a long time ago, though. Nowdays its still in the same position it started but is presenting expansions as though its a current, relevant game - looking at it under that criteria of a modern game, its old fashioned, slow, does nothing much of interest and has all been seen before.
Its a shadow of a former grand king, imo. You can still see reminders of its greatness, but mostly its just kind of sad.
Like most of Blizzard's hits it was an exceptionally polished evolution of earlier games when it came out, the king of a genre. That was a long time ago, though. Nowdays its still in the same position it started but is presenting expansions as though its a current, relevant game - looking at it under that criteria of a modern game, its old fashioned, slow, does nothing much of interest and has all been seen before.
Its a shadow of a former grand king, imo. You can still see reminders of its greatness, but mostly its just kind of sad.
I don't personally enjoy it, but I think it's fantastically well designed for its intended purpose.
Granted, my entire experience with it consists of one of those free 3 month trial cards that came with Starcraft 2. I logged in, bumbled around a bit until I started to get the hang of things, thought, "Yeah, I can see how people get sucked in to this", then uninstalled a ran for my life, because fuck that.
Granted, my entire experience with it consists of one of those free 3 month trial cards that came with Starcraft 2. I logged in, bumbled around a bit until I started to get the hang of things, thought, "Yeah, I can see how people get sucked in to this", then uninstalled a ran for my life, because fuck that.
I find the MMO genre to be pretty bad as far as games go. There are two grinds you always have to do. First is max out your level. Then max our your gear. And it's a slow grind, which maybe some people enjoy. But then you fail to achieve an RNG and you start over the slow grind. It's artificially inflating parts that aren't fun.
Sometimes there's a story to go with your quests which can be nice doing it once, but then you're supposed to do it again with a new character or for a specific item and it feels like it's slowing me down and taking me out of the game.
As for World of Warcraft itself, I played it for about 3 months. I played mostly a Mage mostly solo and I found playing with other people to be quite frustrating. A lot of people weren't really playing the game. They were doing something else while they played and in a naturally slow pace, slowed the game even more. I can be a patient guy but it felt more akin to deliberately playing poorly versus someone attempting to learn. And when I finally did some guild-end-game content, it was exceedingly worse. People wouldn't show up (who said they'd be there), 2~3 hours late, nothing got done, people wanted the rewards associated with what were where doing but didn't care to invest the time to be able to contribute effectively.
This one guy wanted help grinding for an item and I agreed to help him. After about 30 minutes of the item no dropping, I asked him what he was looking for. He wanted some 'drops from everything, 0.002% drop rate' item people used to twink in PVP, bind on equip that he could just buy off the auction house. And I think he was actually expecting to get the item because the one area had a slightly higher % than everywhere else.
The idea of creating a customized character is the initial pull into the game, but then everything unique about you gets covered up quickly and you eventually find yourself pigeon holed into a very specific play style, gear, ect. and you almost participate as an active NPC for someone else entirely to watch.
A lot of the MMO style seems to be about mathematics in action. Revolving around your stats of your characters and the cooldown of your skills being a minimum number and triggered at specific times. It can feel more like a job you not only not get paid to do it, you pay for it like it's a privilege.
In general, World of Warcraft has probably done the genre the best. A lot of post-WoW MMOs have been dubbed 'WoW clones' for a reason and it makes me feel a little bad so many people tried.
Sometimes there's a story to go with your quests which can be nice doing it once, but then you're supposed to do it again with a new character or for a specific item and it feels like it's slowing me down and taking me out of the game.
As for World of Warcraft itself, I played it for about 3 months. I played mostly a Mage mostly solo and I found playing with other people to be quite frustrating. A lot of people weren't really playing the game. They were doing something else while they played and in a naturally slow pace, slowed the game even more. I can be a patient guy but it felt more akin to deliberately playing poorly versus someone attempting to learn. And when I finally did some guild-end-game content, it was exceedingly worse. People wouldn't show up (who said they'd be there), 2~3 hours late, nothing got done, people wanted the rewards associated with what were where doing but didn't care to invest the time to be able to contribute effectively.
This one guy wanted help grinding for an item and I agreed to help him. After about 30 minutes of the item no dropping, I asked him what he was looking for. He wanted some 'drops from everything, 0.002% drop rate' item people used to twink in PVP, bind on equip that he could just buy off the auction house. And I think he was actually expecting to get the item because the one area had a slightly higher % than everywhere else.
The idea of creating a customized character is the initial pull into the game, but then everything unique about you gets covered up quickly and you eventually find yourself pigeon holed into a very specific play style, gear, ect. and you almost participate as an active NPC for someone else entirely to watch.
A lot of the MMO style seems to be about mathematics in action. Revolving around your stats of your characters and the cooldown of your skills being a minimum number and triggered at specific times. It can feel more like a job you not only not get paid to do it, you pay for it like it's a privilege.
In general, World of Warcraft has probably done the genre the best. A lot of post-WoW MMOs have been dubbed 'WoW clones' for a reason and it makes me feel a little bad so many people tried.
