World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth Review

World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth (BfA), released by Blizzard Entertainment in 2018, was the seventh major expansion for the enduring MMORPG. Following the climactic fight against the Burning Legion, BfA brought the focus back to the core conflict between the Alliance and the Horde, promising to reignite the faction war. This WoW BfA PC review explores its ambitious premise and its ultimately mixed reception.

Gameplay: New Continents, Allied Races, and Azerite

Battle for Azeroth raised the level cap to 120 and introduced two new, visually stunning continents: Kul Tiras for the Alliance and Zandalar for the Horde. Each continent offered unique questlines, diverse zones, and a strong sense of faction identity. The expansion also introduced Allied Races, allowing players to unlock new playable races by completing in-game achievements.

Key new systems included:

• Heart of Azeroth: An artifact necklace that leveled up by collecting Azerite, a new resource, unlocking traits on Azerite Armor. This system was controversial due to its grindy nature and lack of meaningful choice.
• Island Expeditions: Three-player scenarios focused on collecting Azerite, offering quick, randomized encounters.
• Warfronts: Large-scale PvE battles where players contributed resources to a war effort, culminating in a siege against the opposing faction’s stronghold.

The core PvE content, including raiding and dungeons, was generally well-received for its encounter design. However, the progression systems, particularly Azerite Armor, often felt unrewarding and convoluted, leading to player frustration.

Story and Setting: A Divided Azeroth

The narrative of Battle for Azeroth centered on the escalating faction war between the Alliance, led by Jaina Proudmoore and Anduin Wrynn, and the Horde, under the controversial leadership of Sylvanas Windrunner. The story began with a devastating conflict and explored themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and the moral complexities of war.

While the initial premise of a renewed faction conflict was exciting, the execution of the story, particularly Sylvanas’s arc and the motivations of key characters, proved divisive among the player base. Despite this, the cinematic moments and character interactions were often compelling, driving the plot forward.

Graphics and Sound: Visually Impressive Continents

Visually, Battle for Azeroth was stunning on PC. The new continents of Zandalar and Kul Tiras were beautifully designed, showcasing diverse biomes, intricate architecture, and vibrant colors. Character models and spell effects continued to improve, enhancing the overall visual fidelity of World of Warcraft.

The soundtrack, composed by Glenn Stafford, Derek Duke, and others, was epic and memorable, perfectly capturing the grand scale of the war and the unique cultural themes of the new zones. The voice acting for key characters was excellent, adding depth to the narrative.

Legacy: A Contentious but Ambitious Chapter

Battle for Azeroth remains one of WoW‘s most contentious expansions. While it delivered beautiful new zones, exciting Allied Races, and a strong initial leveling experience, its endgame systems and narrative choices led to significant player dissatisfaction over time. Despite its flaws, it was an ambitious attempt to return to the roots of the faction conflict.

Is World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth on PC Worth Playing Today?

For players currently experiencing World of Warcraft, Battle for Azeroth is integrated into the Chromie Time leveling system, allowing you to explore its beautiful zones and experience its core story. While its original endgame systems are no longer relevant, the leveling journey through Kul Tiras and Zandalar, and the introduction of the Allied Races, still offer a worthwhile experience for PC gaming enthusiasts interested in the ongoing WoW lore.