Browsing the forums I came upon a thread asking what the single biggest flaw is in WoW. I pondered on it. I started to say something about PvP class balance, but Blizzard does much better than other games. Then I started to say that raids have gotten too gimmicky, but that's TOO subjective. I thought about a bunch of minor inconsistencies I just didn't like, but they're... minor. But then I thought back to the primary thing I liked about Warhammer Online... the world PvP and that got me thinking on a longer train of thought...
My biggest gripe is probably the fact thatBlizzard has over-compartmentalized the game. Especially in Wrath.
You want to raid? Go into THIS portal.
PvP? Go into THIS portal.
Want world PvP? Wait until THIS time and go to THIS place for THIS many minutes. Otherwise we'll discourage you with a zerg of guards.
There needs to be random mob attacks on player cities where everyone bands together to kill a baddie like with Overlord Kruul. There needs to be more crossover between PvE and PvP like the old AV. There needs to be more perpetually contested world PvP content (This is the ONLY area I feel Mythic has trumped Blizzard. Warhammer Online kicked ass in this regard) Holding certain objectives should give players bonuses like in Hellfire Peninsula. World bosses need to make a comeback. More rare spawns. More difficult outdoor group content like the Silithus elemental lords. Instancing is a great technology, but when used too liberally you lose a certain sense of cohesion.
Blizz can do it right if they'd get out of this super-compartmentalized mindset. The world as a whole needs more cohesion. They have good lore and great world, a smooth combat system, interesting classes, most everything works rather well. It just needs that extra little kick to take it away from the gold/gear grind and towards a more vibrant, world that feels like it might really exist in some alternate universe.
Again, more cohesion, less compartmentalization. I'm not saying BGs or raids need to go. They work fine. Just don't make
everything important be packed into those little bite size boxes you call instances.
2 comments:
I feel you are correct in that everything in WoW has been compartmentalized. It's not something I had noticed, but definitely felt.
Do I think they will change that in WotLK? Not noticably. And I don't think they should. Part of being compartmentalized as it has, means they can work on each smaller piece more smoothly, and ensure the basics are solid.
In the next expansion (or possibly the one after, if they decide to push it), they can take everything they have learned from compartmentalization and use it to build a stronger, more integrated environment for us.
I'd like them to keep the "do what you want when you want to" philosophy, but they could definitely make it much more seamless.
I agree. A lot of games have that problem, even WAR to an extent. Real world PvP (and I don't include WG here, WG is terrible on a server like mine) these days is just a pipe dream.
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