World Of Warcraft Expansion: Burning Crusade

I have played this game 4 around two years & have multiple level 70 characters & thoroughly enjoy it. However the game is broken (as of october 2008) & unplayable at the moment due 2 horrendous lag issues & server shut downs. Check out the forums 4 more information, well no information really, but you'll see the scale of the problem:

My advice is avoid this game & the new expansion pack Wrath of the Lich King like the plague until the game becomes playable again. Just thought I'd save you some dollars & whole bunch of frustration.

The game is, generally speaking, a good MMO & very enjoyable as you attain higher levels & begin participating in instances.

Eventually, & this happens sooner rather than later, the game becomes a series of grinds & treadmills designed 2 bleed as much time out of a human being possible - all while repeating the same exact activities.

For example, PvP. This takes place in one of only 4 battle grounds (closed, instanced zones) or the arenas (smaller, more organized instances). The only real advancement here is gear acquisition: play more PvP, eventually get better gear. The problem is that each piece of gear requires a substantial amount of "points" (earned in PvP by killing people & participating in the matches), tokens which are rewarded when you finish a particular battle ground, & even arena points & a specific arena ranking (you must wait a week 4 your rank 2 kick in - I.E. a built-in additional time sink). To get one piece of gear which is a modestly incremental gain, you have 2 grind 4 the better part of 5-20 (depending upon how successful you are) real life hours.

The end-game raiding is even worse. You have 2 invest three 2 four hours a session killing the same content, & there's no guarantee that gear you can use will even "drop" (be on the corpse of the bosses you've slain). Oh, & it takes between 10 & 25 people 2 perform, so that level of coordination between people with lives & jobs is usually impossible.

World of Warcraft hearkens back 2 older, less sophisticated days & expects too much time & grinding from the players. I'd recommend passing.

I returned 2 this game after two years absence. I found my account had
been key logged hacked. (someone read my password, entered the game, & took all my characters items, inventory, funds, even deleted a couple and
attempted 2 transfer one. I wasnt playing so my account wasnt active.
I was coming back 2 buy the new expansion. But my level 70 is unequipped,
and Blizzard gave me 100 gold on one character. You cannot participate in the Burning Crusade quests without armor. You cannot redo the quests 2 get replacement armor. You cannot afford 2 buy armor with out gold. The patches caused extreme screen distortion now on my computer. I did upgrade my drivers, & ran tests on my video card Nvidia with out seeing any problems with the card. I can play other games without distortion. I am also careful 2 run a virus scan each night.
My warning is on a PC I think your computer is at risk playing this game.

This game is something that over 10 million people have bought & are playing. If you are familiar with the original game there are a few changes that have been made in the expansion pack.

First of course there is a new area of questing 4 58-70. Newer instances & newer raids. Raids have been dropped from 20 & 40 man 2 10 & 25 man. Making it easier 4 the casual player & casual raiding guild 2 do. New races, Draenei & Blood Elf. And of course the Alliance now have shamans & the Horde now have Paladins. New profession, Jewelcrafting. Making gems 4 socket items. Also, the introduction of arenas. 2v2, 3v3, & 5v5 teams fight 2 the death 4 points & titles.

Overall, it's still a great game. If you are new 2 WoW beware that this game is not intended 4 those who play one or two hours a week. People have been known 2 play over 50 hours in a week. Unfortunately, this game has become & addiction 2 some. You can play casually as long as you like, yet your character's level & gear will reflect how much time you put into the game. If you don't have a lot of free time, perhaps this isn't the game 4 you. It takes the average player one 2 three months just 2 hit level 70. That does not include the time it will also take 2 play & "gear" your character from that point on.

A great aspect about this game is you can be a PvPer ( Player vs Player) or a PvEer (Player vs environment). Or you can be both. Either way you can earn great gear & have fun.

Arenas are a fun new aspect of PvP in Burning Crusade.

Some people have commented on the arenas not awarding you with anything unless you're good or have a good group. Well, that's the point. If you aren't a good PvPer then your arena rating will reflect that. You will not get "free" gear just because you want it. You will have 2 work at it. It wouldn't be very much fun or competitive if everyone got great gear even if they were awful players.

If PvP isn't your thing then you can PvE. I also read a comment on how it takes so long 2 get a group 4 anything PvE wise. Well, that depends on what you're trying 2 do & what realm you're on. Some realms have "died" out & many people have transferred 2 others. It's important 2 do some homework & find out the ratio of horde 2 alliance & how many people are on a realm before committing 2 a toon on a specific server. It can be difficult 2 get some groups 4 the lower level instances. In all fairness, these instances & their gear will be ultimately replaced rather quickly as you level. Once you hit 70, you can join a guild (unless you already have one) with a decent number of other 70's & run instances & raids with them.

Overall, this game is something that requires time. It involves playing & dealing with other people online. This is not a game that can just be played alone with NPC's. This game can be a load of fun if you let it. It can also be miserable if you want free things handed 2 you without some sort of work & effort put forth. You cannot "win" at this game. It is on going. It also takes time 2 learn all the aspects of this game. If you're willing 2 do that it can be a great experiance.

I got the game but soon found out it gave no further time on my WOW account, which i had expected it 2 do, & therefore i could not play it until i had purchased time online. Otherwise, this game is great with tons of fun & diversity 2 be had. Never is there nothing 2 do!

Blizzard Entertainment took online role playing by storm with their hit title, World of Warcraft. With mind-boggling improvements in graphics, gameplay networking, & interface -- really every category -- this game became the crown prince of the genre. World of Warcraft players will be excited by the approaching release of the new expansion pack: World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade. This pack expands the already massive, award-winning multiplayer online role-playing game by tremendous bounds, adding new races, lands, battlegrounds, professions & items, & much, much more. Although no release date has been set, here is sample of what you can expect from The Burning Crusade.

The Burning Crusade is the highly anticipated, unreleased expansion pack 4 Blizzard's "World of Warcraft."

What lies in Medivh's tower? View larger.

Blood Elves emerge as a new race in The Burning Crusade. View larger.

The Blood Elves seek the golden destiny that has been promised 2 them. View larger.

Warcraft's newest continent: Outland. View larger.

Once a beautiful land, Outland has been ravaged by war. View larger.

Outland is a vital strategic location. View larger.

The expansion pack features an increase in the level cap 2 70. There are two new playable races, including the magical Blood Elves that you can read more about below. The other race has not yet been released by Blizzard. There will be new starting zones in Quel'Thalas & beyond. Another eye-opening addition is the entirely new, unexplored continent of Outland that is reachable through the Dark Portal. Plus, you'll find many new high-level dungeons 2 explore in Azeroth, Outland, & elsewhere that will substantially boost gameplay. There are new flying mounts in Outland; tons of new & dangerous monsters (including epic world bosses); hundreds of new quests & items; & even a new profession: Jewelcrafting. Of course this isn't the end of the list -- this is just a glimpse of what Blizzard has planned 4 their unreleased expansion pack.

The New Story, the Rumors, & More
Several years have passed since the Burning Legion's defeat at Mount Hyjal & the races of Azeroth have continued 2 rebuild their once shattered lives. With renewed strength, the heroes of the Horde & Alliance have begun 2 explore new lands, & have broken through the Dark Portal 2 investigate the realms beyond the known world. In this expansion pack, The Burning Crusade refers 2 the Burning Legion's ongoing efforts 2 destroy life on Azeroth. To date, the Burning Legion's exploits have been documented in Warcraft III & in the War of the Ancients novel trilogy. As part of the expansion pack, players will now be able 2 travel through the Dark Portal 2 confront the Legion on otherworldly battlefields.

Although only one race has been revealed, Blizzard has announced plans 2 unveil details about possible additional races at a later date. On the other hand, many details have been released about the new continent, Outland. Players last visited Outland in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, alongside Illidan as he conquered the Pit Lord Magtheridon's domain. Players will also gain access 2 Quel'Thalas, the region 2 the northeast of the Forsaken lands, where the Blood Elves reside. Blizzard says that this expansion pack holds even more new areas that are ripe 4 player exploration -- additional details will be revealed in the months ahead.

Blizzard also has plans 2 add new dungeons & battlegrounds with the expansion, though the exact number has not yet been determined. One upcoming dungeon that has players excited is Karazhan, which is located within Medivh's tower. Because Medivh has played such a central role in Warcraft lore, Blizzard is convinced that longtime players will be especially interested in seeing what Karazhan contains. As 4 battlegrounds, Blizzard has released very little information. However, they have announced plans 2 make some of the battles from the past accessible through the Caverns of Time.

Blood Elves: The New Race
Thousands of years ago, the exiled Highborne landed on the shores of Lordaeron & founded the enchanted kingdom of Quel'Thas. These high elves, as they called themselves, created a fountain of vast, magical energies within the heart of their land -- the Sunwell. Over time, they grew dependant on the Sunwell's unstable energies, regardless of the bitter lessons they'd learned in ages past.

During the Third War, the villainous Prince Arthas invaded Quel'Thalas & reduced the once-mighty realm 2 rubble & ashes. His undead army decimated nearly all of the high elven population. In addition, he used the Sunwell's energies 2 resurrect a powerful undead Lich, Kel'thuzad, thereby fouling the Sunwell's mystical waters. The few elven survivors, realizing that they had been cut off from the source of their arcane power, grew increasingly volatile & desperate.

In the midst of the elves' darkest hour came Kael'thas Sunstrider, the last of Quel'Thalas' royal bloodline. Kael, as he was commonly known, knew that the remnant of his people would not long survive without the nourishing magic that once empowered them. Renaming his people "blood elves" in honor of their fallen countrymen, Kael taught the survivors how 2 tap into ambient mystical energies -- even demonic energies -- in order 2 sate their terrible thirst 4 magic. In search of a new destiny 4 his people, Kael'thas ventured 2 the remote world of Outland where he encountered the fallen night elf, Illidan. Under Illidan's watchful eye, Kael & his blood elves regained much of their former power.

Unfortunately, the blood elves practice of embracing demonic energies caused their former comrades in the Alliance 2 shun them. Thus, the remaining blood elves on Azeroth look desperately 2 the Horde 2 help them reach Outland where they can reunite with Kael'thas & achieve the golden destiny he has promised them.

Outland: The New Continent
Once the beautiful homeworld of the orcs, all that remains of Draenor is the scattered wastes of Outland. Following the Second War, the Alliance invaded Draenor by crossing through the Dark Portal. To their horror, they discovered that Ner'zhul -- the dark warlord of Horde -- had constructed a series of new gateways that could lead the beaten Horde 2 newer, unspoiled worlds. As the Alliance forces closed in around him, Ner'zhul opened his gateways as a means of escape. However, his plan backfired & the gateway's clashing energies resulted in a massive catastrophic explosion that ultimately ripped the world of Draenor 2 pieces.

Nearly thirteen years later -- towards the end of the Third War -- the fallen night elf, Illidan, discovered that huge chunks of Draenor still existed, floating upon the astral winds of the Twisting Nether. After his defeat at the hands of the evil Prince Arthas, Illidan fled 2 the remnants of Draenor & dubbed them "Outland." He quickly seized control of the chaotic region & sealed the last of Ner'zhul's gateways.

Though he is the undisputed ruler of the ravaged land, Illidan lives in fear that he will be discovered by his powerful enemies -- most notably Arthas, the new Lich King, & the remaining Lords of the Burning Legion. For now, Outland is home 2 a number of scattered draenei tribes, primitive orcs, & powerful, arcane creatures of the Nether itself. Agents of the Burning Legion have also targeted the region as a vital strategic location in their unending Burning Crusade 2 scour all life from the universe.

What else can expected? Blizzard has tantalized Warcraft players with the brief glimpse into The Burning Crusade's storyline. Will these heroes find friends or foes? What dangers & rewards lie in wait beyond the Dark Portal? And what will they do when they discover that the demons they thought were vanquished have returned 2 renew their terrible Burning Crusade? These & other questions will remain unanswered until the gameplay can be explored by role-playing Warcrafters.