Blizzard has developed a number of well-known game series, but not even they could have predicted that they would build the most well-known and lucrative MMORPG ever. The story that was first conveyed in the RTS games simply called Warcraft was continued in World of Warcraft, which was first launched in 2004.
Although The Horde vs. The Alliance rivalry is a prominent theme in World of Warcraft, the game is much more than that. The lore of the game is immensely rich and intricate, and it features a wide variety of unique characters, races, classes, groups, and settings. The lore is so extensive that Blizzard will never run out of content for expansions because they could never hope to present the entire story in a single chapter.
Not only has the MMO genre been forever changed by World of Warcraft, but the game has also become well-known for its amazing cinematic trailers. With a powerful short video, WoW Vanilla was able to give new players chills, and since then, the add-on cinematics haven’t fallen short of this standard in the slightest.
World of Warcraft was the top MMORPG in the world in 2009 with around 10 million players. Up to 2014, the game had more than 100 million registered users.
In this post, we will provide the basics for each of the expansions of World of Warcraft, including the base game. WoW cinematics are some of the most extraordinary examples of visual art in the game industry, standing the test of time still looking amazing after years; we have included some of the most impressive and important of them below.
World of Warcraft (2004)
- Level cap: 60
This is where it started. At the time, MMORPGs were still seen as being difficult to use and had a relatively specialized audience. Then Blizzard appeared, demonstrating how to completely popularize the genre from the beginning and maintain its dominance for years. Of course, none of this could have been predicted when this introduction originally blinked across the screens.
The base pack was initially sold in a physical form via a CD, but it was also available for online purchase. The setting of the game transports players to the planet of Azeroth, which is where the company’s earlier Warcraft video games were based. The gameplay would be different between the two franchises, with World of Warcraft being an MMO that urged users to explore the environment and create their own characters to personalize the experience. Warcraft was an RTS game.
The Burning Crusade (2007)
- New Area: Outland
- New Level Cap: 70
- New Races: Blood Elves & Draenei
In Burning Crusade, WoW’s first expansion pack, the Doom Lord Kazzak reopened the Dark Portal to Draenor, also known as Outland, the first orc homeworld, which led to the Legion’s most recent effort to invade Azeroth.
Burning Crusade added numerous new gameplay features that broadened the game’s realm and increased players’ desire to replay the entire game. It was obvious that by adding more races, Blizzard could not only increase replayability value but also draw in new players who might identify with new categories because the universe had already encouraged players to have multiple characters of different playable races to experience all of the nuances present in the world.
Illidan Stormrage and his Warglaives, which many players are still trying to obtain, were brought by the tale of the Hellfire Peninsula. The Black Temple, Fury of the Sunwell, and the Gods of Zul’Aman were the new raids fans dived into.
The addition of the Player versus Player (PvP) system was another benefit of this expansion pack. A brand-new death-match system that allowed players to compete in teams of five was also included, along with the addition of a new battleground called Eye of the Storm.
Wrath of the Lich King (2008)
- New Area: Northrend
- New Level Cap: 80
- New Class: Death Knight (First Hero Class, starting at 55)
Wrath of the Lich King is still regarded as the greatest World of Warcraft expansion, a notion with which we here at Knowlounge also agree. Arthas Menethil, the beloved Prince of Lordaeron and anti-hero who became Lich King at the conclusion of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, served as the focal point of World of Warcraft’s second expansion. Players who are familiar with the RTS games’ backstories are well aware of how Arthas came to be known as the Lich King. This expansion had some of the best raids of all time, such as Ulduar and Icecrown Citadel, the frozen fortress of the Lich King (and the place of his fall).
The launch cinematic is one of the best ever made; certainly the most memorable. The Lich King transcends World of Warcraft, he is a gaming icon, and this iconic cinematic aids reinforcing the character in the minds of even non-gamers. We are using the remastered version here that Blizzard released as part of the Wrath of the Lich King Classic celebrations.
Cataclysm (2010)
- New Areas: The Maelstrom, Twilight Highlands, Kezan, Gilneas
- New Level Cap: 85
- New Races: Worgen & Goblins
Azeroth underwent several changes as a result of Cataclysm, which was triggered by Deathwing the Destroyer, the evil dragon aspect. Along with terrifying fires and severe earthquakes, volcanic eruptions significantly changed the landscape. Ragnaros and other elemental lords attacked since this incident also drew Azeroth closer to the Elemental Plane. As a result, Azeroth was overrun by demonic elemental spirits, and hostilities between The Horde and Alliance were rekindled. Numerous regions in Azeroth were also remodelled, and smaller quests were added to give the new areas greater depth and a stronger connection to the overarching narrative. Some of them were also purely for fun, with many inside jokes and easter eggs. In total, the expansion added over 3,000 new quests.
Players had to aid Vol’jin in preventing the Zandalari trolls from invading both sides in addition to dealing with Deathwing. Additionally, players exiled the Firelord Ragnaros from Mount Hyjal before heading to the elemental dimension to finally vanquish him. The other Dragon Aspects gave up their abilities in the last conflict with Deathwing, leaving the heroes of both factions as Azeroth’s protectors.
Mists of Pandaria (2012)
- New Area: Pandaria
- New Level Cap: 90
- New Race: The Pandaren (First Neutral Race)
- New Class: Monk
The announcement of this expansion left many fans eagerly awaiting fans baffled! WoW up to this point had seemingly followed a formula of a “big bad” of every expansion (Illidan, Lich King, Deathwing) and an overarching feeling of urgency to save the world from them that pushed the heroes of Azeroth to places with fel, ice, and fire. Que Mists of Pandaria with its colourful new continent inhabited by pandas Pandaren.
For most players, this went away once the expansion went live and travelled to Pandaria. The luscious, green fields, the Asian-style theme of the continent, and its great world-building resulted in a rewarding experience. Many players are looking back at the expansion with a positive eye and fond memories.
For countless years, Pandaria was kept secret from the rest of the world; but, when the Horde pursued Anduin’s ship to the continent’s borders, everything changed. The Horde and the Alliance were in conflict again, this time on the shores of Pandaria. The open war and everything that comes with it woken up and released ancient horrors of this new land, physical manifestations of anger, fear, hatred, doubt, and despair called the Sha.
The Mogu, other ancient inhabitants of Pandaria, joined forces with the Zandalari trolls and revived Lei Shen the Thunder King to retake Pandaria. Warchief Garrosh Hellscream, with his desire for power, created his “True Horde”, entirely made up of Orcs. Alliance and Horde ceased hostilities and united against him in the Siege of Orgrimmar. His defeat ended with a trial, marking him as a War Criminal for his actions in Pandaria.
Warlords of Draenor (2014)
- New Area: Draenor
- New Level Cap: 100
Back to the roots. Blizzard probably hoped to win points in 2014 by reiterating past story virtues after a steep decline in subscriber numbers in prior years, with Warlords of Draenor. A bold time travel narrative brought back familiar characters like Grom Hellscream, Khadgar, and Ner’zhul, which should have pleased fans.
The alternate history of Warlords of Draenor transports us back to the crucial moment that decided the fate of the Orcish Horde before their home planet, Draenor, was destroyed and became the Outlands. The narrative focuses on the potential outcomes of historical events. What if Gul’dan and Mannoroth never convinced the Orcs to make that damning pact?
This expansion included many graphical updates, a player home-like feature called the Garrison, and the Pokémon Pet Battle system.
The cinematic is probably the most well made of all, often in discussions about which is the best compared to Wrath of the Lich King.
Legion (2016)
- New Areas: The Broken Isles, Argus
- New Level Cap: 110
- New Class: Demon Hunter (Second Hero Class, starting at 98)
Legion is considered one of the best expansions, and a highlight among the more recent ones (i.e., after expansions released after Cataclysm changed the world and many systems).
In the Legion expansion, Gul’Dan took Illidan’s body and used it to create a portal at the Tomb of Sargeras, which led to the subsequent demon invasion. The Wardens were compelled to release the fel-enhanced demon hunters when the demons used this portal to flood into Azeroth. Warchief Vul’jin and King Varian were among the heavy losses when the Horde and Alliance confront the Legion’s armies.
In the conclusion, players revive Illidan and defeat Gul’Dan once more. They get to Argus, which is where the story’s climax occurs. The Titan Pantheon helps save everyone from Argus, the last raid boss, who would have destroyed everything. The Titan Sargeras, who acted as the series’ main antagonist, was imprisoned by the Pantheon. Azeroth began to bleed Azerite as Sargeras plunged his sword into the globe in a final attempt to destroy her before being imprisoned.
Battle for Azeroth (2018)
- New Areas: Kul Tiras, Zandalar, Nazjatar
- New Level Cap: 120
- New Races: Mag’har Orc, Zandalari Troll, Highmountain Tauren, Vulpera (Horde Allied Races) & Kul Tiran, Dark Iron Dwarves, Lightforged Draenei, Void Elves (Alliance Allied Races)
Unlike the earlier expansions, the plot of Battle for Azeroth does not focus on eliminating supervillains. Instead, the War Campaign plot, which is carried out over multiple chapters, primarily focuses on the wars and conflicts between the Horde and the Alliance.
The story kicks off with Warchief Sylvannas burning Teldrassil, the home of the Night Elves. This triggers the Horde and Alliance to find more allies to help in their growing conflict and open war (again), travelling to Kul Tiras and Zandalar for their strong navy.
A blood troll revolt that results in the liberation of the Old God G’huun is the first major storyline that players have to deal with. Both factions then travel to Nazjatar to face Queen Azshara, which in turn results in the powerful Old God N’Zoth’s release and subsequent annihilation. Facing Queen Azhara and N’Zoth, and visiting Nazjatar, was something many players had been waiting for years, and the quick dealing with them left them wanting for more. This was one of the major complaints with this expansion.
For the finale, and set-up for the next expansion, Sylvannas kills Saurfang and betrays the Horde, before fleeing to Icecrown Citadel where she fights Bolvar Fordragon, the Lich King since the events of Wrath of the Lich King. The fight ends up not even being a contest, with Bolvar losing, and Sylvanna getting the Helm of Domination from his head. The curtain separating Azeroth and the Shadowlands is torn apart as a result of her breaking the Helm in half rather than wearing it herself.
Shadowlands (2020)
- New Area: The Shadowlands
- New Level Cap: 60 (Level Squish)
The afterlife of the World of Warcraft universe. Players travel to the realms of Bastion, Ardenweald, Revendreth, and Maldraxxus. Each zone has a distinctive theme referencing major class types in World of Warcraft. Bastion to the Light and righteousness, Ardenweald to Nature, Revendreth to Blood, and Maldraxxus to fel and honour. Long-time fans get to experience the ghosts of characters who passed away a long time ago as the plot develops. The Jailer, the God of Death who seemingly seeks to rule the entire Shadowlands, and Sylvannas have teamed up, for an unknown goal.
As the story unfolds, players are introduced to beings predating even the Titans, called The First Ones. A greater perspective of the WoW universe, a new cosmology.
One of the most notable system changes happened during this expansion. Blizzard finally accepting the fact that levels were getting out of hand, decided to apply a “level squish”. This meant that players that were at the max level of 120 in Battle of Azeroth were now at level 50, with the new level cap being 60. This brought the stats and damage numbers down to a more comprehensible level, and also helped with the overall levelling experience.
Dragonflight (2022)
- New Area: Dragon Isles
- New Level Cap: 70
- New Races: Dracthyr
Time for the return of dragons! Players travel to the home islands of the dragons, the Dragon Isles, which have been promised to deliver some of the biggest zones in the whole of WoW. Story details are still unfolding.
Notable system changes include a complete revamp of the talent trees, reputation, and professions, as well as the first revamp of the GUI (Graphical User Interface) in WoW’s history that promises more freedom in making the default interface suit players’ preferences.
Blizzard announced a new expansion series named Worldsoul Saga for World of Warcraft during BlizzCon 2023. It will be released in three parts over several years, with the first one called The War Within coming out in 2024.
The War Within focuses on the Nerubian Empire. The second expansion is called Midnight and will have players battle the Void at Quel’thalas. To complete the saga, the third expansion The Last Titan will find players in Northrend, unravelling the final secrets of the Titans’ machinations.
The War Within (2024)
- New Area: Four new underground zones
- New Level Cap: 80
The first new adventure is called The War Within. This exciting journey takes players deep beneath the planet’s surface, to a mysterious and dangerous world inhabited by two distinct groups: the Earthen and the Nerubian Empire. Cunning spider-like Nerubians and steadfast Earthen have made these deep caverns their home, creating an intricate web of underground tunnels and pathways that are both treacherous and awe-inspiring.
But there is more to this underworld than meets the eye. Recently, a strange event has occurred involving a sword plunged deep into the planet by the nefarious Sargeras. The sword’s presence has sparked some kind of reaction, manifesting in the form of an enigmatic voice that many have speculated may be the worldsoul of Azeroth trying to communicate with its inhabitants. With so many fascinating twists and turns, The War Within promises to be an unforgettable experience for all who dare to journey deep into the underbelly of Azeroth.
Still going strong after 18 years, with billions of revenue and numerous references in culture, World of Warcraft is without a doubt one of the most popular and influential games of all time. Players started playing as kids and some of them are now playing with their children.
With Worldsoul Saga Blizzard’s goal is to close off the first twenty years of WoW on a high, and setting the stage for the stories of the next twenty.
Let us know in the comments how you have experienced WoW, and which is your favourite expansion so far!
