World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor

World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor (WoD), released by Blizzard Entertainment in 2014, was the fifth major expansion for the enduring MMORPG. It took players on a journey to an alternate timeline of Draenor, the homeworld of the Orcs, before its destruction and transformation into Outland. This WoW WoD PC review explores its ambitious premise and its mixed reception.

Gameplay: Garrisons and Streamlined Systems

Warlords of Draenor raised the level cap to 100 and introduced several new features designed to streamline the player experience. The most significant addition was the Garrison, a customizable player-owned base that served as a central hub for questing, crafting, and managing followers. This feature offered a compelling sense of personal progression and utility, allowing players to gather resources and send followers on missions, often without leaving their base.

The expansion also focused on a more direct leveling experience, with fewer daily quests and a greater emphasis on dynamic objectives within the zones. The dungeons and raids introduced were generally well-received, offering challenging encounters and engaging mechanics. However, some players found the overall gameplay loop, particularly outside of the Garrison, to be less engaging in the long term, contributing to the infamous “content drought” that plagued the expansion’s later months.

• Introduction of the customizable Garrison system
• Level cap increased to 100
• Streamlined questing experience with dynamic objectives
• Engaging dungeons and raids
• Focus on personal progression through followers

Story and Setting: The Iron Horde Threat

The narrative of Warlords of Draenor was a unique twist on WoW lore. Garrosh Hellscream, escaping his trial in Mists of Pandaria, travels back in time to an alternate Draenor, preventing the Orcs from drinking the demon blood. He unites the various Orc clans under the banner of the Iron Horde, a technologically advanced and incredibly brutal army, with the goal of invading Azeroth.

Players arrive on this savage, untainted world to stop the Iron Horde, encountering legendary Orc chieftains like Grommash Hellscream, Durotan, and Ner’zhul in their prime. The zones were visually distinct and captured the raw, untamed beauty of a Draenor before its destruction.

Graphics and Sound: Updated Models and Epic Scale

Warlords of Draenor brought significant visual upgrades to World of Warcraft, most notably with the long-awaited character model updates for all original races. These new models, with higher fidelity and more expressive animations, breathed new life into the game’s classic characters. The environments of Draenor were also stunning, showcasing beautiful vistas and detailed architecture.

The sound design was excellent, with impactful combat sounds, atmospheric ambient tracks, and a powerful orchestral score that perfectly complemented the epic scale of the conflict against the Iron Horde.

Legacy: A Contentious Chapter

Warlords of Draenor remains a contentious expansion in WoW‘s history. While initially praised for its strong leveling experience, engaging Garrisons, and visual updates, it suffered from a severe lack of content updates post-launch, leading to a significant drop in subscriber numbers. Despite its flaws, it delivered some memorable moments and a unique take on the game’s lore.

Is World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor on PC Worth Playing Today?

For players experiencing World of Warcraft today, Warlords of Draenor is integrated into the Chromie Time leveling system, allowing you to experience its zones and story. While its original endgame suffered, the leveling experience through Draenor remains enjoyable, offering a glimpse into a pivotal moment in WoW lore and a unique setting. It’s worth revisiting for its strong initial content and the compelling narrative of the Iron Horde.