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Addicting Game and Horrible Customer Service

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 13 / 19
Date: November 16, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Wow, by nature is addictive because you have to spend hours and hours playing the game to get anywhere. There is alot of options in playing the game...from what type of realm to play in (Normal=there is very little Player vs. Player to PVP Realms= where you can be constantly killed by players of higher level to RP= Role Playing where you actually try to speak and play in character) to the races, classes, professions, etc... The in-game mail system and Auction House were a plus, but the game economies could vary greatly between servers. I mainly played on PVP realms and the incessant killing my higher levels players of the opposite faction made it very difficult and even more time consuming. To get to 60 (the max level), you will need to spend over 500 hours playing the game. Once you get to 60, you will need to be in a guild(a group of other players) or you have basically spent all the time getting to 60 for nothing. You will need to be guilded because once at 60, there isn't much left to do except try to get better gear. The only place to get this gear is in high level dungeons that will require groups to complete.

This is bad enough, but to make it even worse, Blizzard has the worst customer service of any company that I have ever dealt with. Once you have purchased the game, spent the required time installing and downloading the seemingly endless amount of patches, then you have to agree to a Terms of Service and EULA that bascially gives Blizzard the rights to rip you off in any way they see fit. Of course, you could decide at that point not to agree and get a full refund. However, the hoops they require you to go through to get the refund are ridiculous. So, as most people do, you agree to the TOS and the EULA. Then, you start paying a monthly fee. Admittedly, Blizzard does a good job of upgrading the game and doing their best to keep it fresh. But, there is only so much they can do and most of the changes they make are to fix the problems/bugs that they created. If you ever have a problem in-game, good luck getting anyone that will actually help you.

Add to all of this the absolute worst thing about the Blizzard company, THEY BAN ACCOUNTS AND GIVE YOU NO REASON FOR IMPLEMENTING THE BAN. I recently had an account banned and all I received was an email with some obscure reason that made no sense whatsoever. The only system that they give you to contest the ban is to send an email, as you are not allowed to contact them and actually speak to a live customer service person. They then take their time to respond to the email or don't even respond at all. In my case, I have never received a response to my question about why my account was banned. This was an account that I had paid for over a year on. I literally spent hours and hours getting a character to level 60, only to then have them ban the account. Again, I still have no idea why they banned they account and they have given me no evidence of any wrongdoing on my part.

At the end of the day, Blizzard has a decent MMO here. Is it worth the time and money to play it....ASOLUTELY NOT!

Pretty, but only for powergamers

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: February 23, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I played the open beta for WoW and as a veteran of many MMORPG's, I was amazed at how beautiful and involved the game was. I reserved my copy and grabbed it up on release day. I forgave the many bugs in the game, confident that Bliz would eventually fix them (although a year later many were still in the game - mining nodes and plants would sometimes lock you in place when you tried to use them). Bliz's tendancy to break the game by not testing the patches got annoying, but I persevered because the game was so pretty.

Then I hit level 60 and learned that this game is for the drooling fanboy powergamer that has many hours to sit in front of the computer every day. Once you hit lvl 60, all there is to do in the game is do the same quests over and over again, as it's the only way to get better equipment for your character. So this means waiting an hour or so for the group to assemble, and then a 3 or so hour trek through the dungeon, all for one or two items that you hope you can use, and hope you win the random roll for. I know of people that have been running the same dungeon every night for 3 months. Sorry, but I just don't have that kind of time in my life.

So in short it's a pretty game, but don't get involved unless you have no job and no family to take up your time.

Review for the Alaska Apple Users Group

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: February 04, 2005
Author: Amazon User

The internet has gaming more interesting. Everything from card games to sophisticated 3D shooters have been affected. But there's one genre that owes its very existence to the emergence of the mature internet - massive multi-player online role-playing games. That's right, MMORPGs. What a mouth full!

MMORPGs are RPGs that bring together thousands of users (many more than any other graphical games). They provide an immense amount of changing content and try to create a persistent world that evolves based on user input and fosters a sense of community among players.

Why? Well, the level of immersion that becomes possible is highly addictive to most gamers because of the constant sense of achievement, but it also produces relatively steady profit in the form of monthly subscriptions. Tht's something previously unheard of in the world of commercial video games and explains some of their proliferation.

They're not strangers to the Mac OS either. Mac Everquest users got to feel like second-rate customers when Sony isolated them on servers separate from Windows users and Ultima Online, Lineage, and a variety of others have had some success on Apple boxes recently.

But World of Warcraft is a whole new breed...

It immerses you in the universe of Blizard's immensely popular Warcraft strategy games. It draws every ounce of content out of the fantasy franchise and reinforces it with a whole new level of depth and detail.

The game starts with an intro video up to par with Blizzard standard. Unlike cinematics from their previous games however, this one noticeably has no plot since WoW doesn't focus on any one character or struggle. Rather, it opens the doors to the Warcraft universe and lets you choose from several of the races from Warcraft III.

After the movie you have to jump back to your web browser and go through a lengthy registration process. This is an unsightly pain, but you only have to do it once.

When you get back to the game it will recommend a server for you based on the type of experience you want (normal, serious role-playing, or a focus on fighting other players) and your geographic location. While you can still select a server manually to join friends, this is a really nice piece of automation for first-time users.

Character customization is limited to affiliation, race, class, and a few aesthetics, but that's not bad. It gets you into character faster and most of your character's individuality will be developed as you accumulate clothes, armor, weapons, and skills in-game. But the initial race and class you select have a strong influence on your experience, so choose wisely!

Once you've picked a side and selected a combination of the nine classes and eight races available a quick in-game movie will introduce you to your place in the world and you will finally be exposed to all the things that really make this game great.

For starters, it's visually much more impressive than the average MMORPG. There's a much greater sense of depth too. You often fly or tunnel between cities, use elevators, and walk through multi-story buildings. The music is nicely integrated as well which makes it easier to loose yourself in the fantasy.

The actual gameplay is pretty straightforward. The role-playing elements are standard and easy to pick up, but they apply to an above-average quest system that keeps you busy and interested. The interface and environment have a distinctive feel though, thanks to great integration of elements from all of Blizzards previous games.

The superior graphics, phenomenal content, sense of depth, and Blizzard-standard support for the Macintosh platform make World of Warcraft hands-down the best MMPORPG for the Mac platform right now. If you're thinking about getting in to it, now is a great time with the imminent implementation of dynamic battlegrounds that will let you make a difference in the conflict between the Alliance and the Horde!

Great game even for new players

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: February 24, 2005
Author: Amazon User

If you haven't played any MMORPGs before, World of Warcraft (WoW) is as easy an introduction to the genre as possible. I was a MMORPG newbie when I started WoW and I found it very easy to get started. You choose a side (Alliance or Horde), your race (elves, humans, orcs, trolls, etc.), gender, appearance and finally your character class (warrior, mage, warlock, shaman, druid, etc.). Then you hit "Enter World" and after a bried load screen you are plopped down into your race's starting area. You see your character with his or her starting equipment from a 3rd person point of view. Your character changes as he or she gains new equipment so each character in the world looks quite different from each other.

Right off the bat you can look around and see which NPCs have quests for you--there is a bright yellow exclamation point above their heads--no searching around necessary. Talk to the NPC and you get your quest--some are FedEx (take this from here to there), some ask you to kill X number of monsters or kill specific monsters and retrieve X items, etc. The quest goes into your logbook for easy review later and then you go off on your quest(s). The game thus pushes you to fight and explore new areas rather than kill wandering monsters for no purpose (though you can do this too, and sometimes you need to do this to gather craft items). Once you have completed the quest, your logbook will show it is complete and you return to the person who gave you the quest. Now that person has a bright yellow question mark over his head to show that the quest is done. You get money and/or new items. Because you will have many quests going at one time, you can pick the ones that are easier to complete or close to your location so it is really possible to log on for just 30 minutes and complete a quest. Obviously some of the more complicated quests require more time.

Combat is player-controlled, real-time with each weapon rated for speed and damage. You use melee weapons for close combat, spells or bows for ranged combat. Some classes also have pets or familiars to help fight. As you fight you can choose to use special abilities or spells which require mana that slowly recharges (as does health). All actions are player-controlled and timing can be critical (use the right ability at the right time). You see your character fight, cast spells and take damage. Once the monster is dead you can loot the corpse for random treasure. Sometimes monsters drop uncommon or rare items that you can use (if your class and level permit) or sell to NPCs or even auction at the Auction House (a handy in-game mini-Ebay).

WoW does a great job in providing incentives to make that next level--you are noticeably stronger/faster/more deadly with each new level, plus you can use more abilities and equipment (with the proper training which cost money of course). Each character can also learn up to 2 trade skills for creating items (engineering, leatherworking, alchemy, etc.) or for gathering ingredients to make those items (mining, herbalism, skinning, etc.). Trade skills are fun and profitable since you can make stuff for yourself and your friends or sell them to NPCs or at the Auction House. There are also 3 miscellaneous skills like cooking, fishing and first aid that everyone can learn.

The graphics are top notch---WoW should win awards for the art direction. Each of the world regions and cities is different and very colorful. You get to travel through dark forests, open meadows, high bluffs, and deep canyons. There is a huge variety of character and monster models instead of the usual "same old monster, but different color" that you see in some RPGs. The world really seems alive with day and night cycles and plenty of flora and fauna to gaze at. It also doesn't require a high end computer to play (though a fast internet connection is a must). The sound effects and music are very subtle and fit the mood of the game just right.

Say Goodbye To Your Life, Forever

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: December 03, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This is one of the most widely played MMORPG's. I have a 63 undead warlock. The past summer and fall has been spent doing nothing but playing this game. If your life includes socializing, responsibility, employment, children, romantic relationships, friends, pets, or family... then this game is not for you.

If you're bored with life and need something time consuming to replace your existance with... then this game may be for you.

Highly addictive, incredibly time consuming, 4 and a half stars.

Don't buy this game unless you want to give up your social life.

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 17 / 28
Date: June 06, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game is horribly addictive, I've logged 35 days played time on my level 60 character and I've only been playing a little over three months. That's not even counting the total played time of my alternate (alts) characters. My total played time for this game is about 45 days out of three and a half months. I've lost all of my friends (except for the ones that play too) and I never go out anymore. I'm in the process of quitting, but it's better to never get started.

Don't play this game unless you're unemployed with a lot of free time and you have no interest in a real social life.

Not the game for me

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 9 / 11
Date: January 09, 2007
Author: Amazon User

My husband bought me this game a year ago while we were dating. I played it solidly for about eight months as a casual player (4-12 hours per week). My "main" character reached level 40 - about half way to "end game" material. I stopped playing and eventually cancelled my subscription. My husband played for years but also quit. It's not a bad game, but not the game for me. (I'm all about Guild Wars, which has no monthly fee.) Here's what I think:

PROS

1) There's a wide variety of activities. I liked the professions (fishing, cooking, picking flowers, making potions, etc.). I enjoyed making clothes and gear, fishing rare rings out of the water, and making money selling my wares. Doing such things didn't help me to "level" or become a stronger player, but it was fun. PVP was also a lot of fun, in fact my favorite part of the game. I prefer the PVP in Guild Wars, though.

2) The world is seemless. I can head in any direction and keep going, from zone to zone. I enjoyed exploring in WOW more than any other game I have yet played. (It was nice that I could do this while picking flowers or mining.)

CONS

1) The game is a good investment for people with a LOT of time on their hands (I offered my subscription to my invalid grandfather) but not for those with real lives. To be considered "good" by most one must commit at least three or four hours at a time (often) to complete instances for the best gear, called "bind-on-pickup". End game instances can take groups over 12 hours to complete and are necessary to get such gear. And some groups (guilds) expect their members to invest that time at least one day a week. (I made it to end game material in Guild Wars. No one is obliged to make such commitments to be "good." In Guild Wars, its more about using skills effectively. Using one's brain to utilize skills most effectively. In Guild Wars, being "good" means more, I think).

2) The social environment drove me bananas. Addicted end gamers harrassed my husband through in-game mail, yelling through general channels, derogatory commits on internet blogs, and other means to the point that he also quit the game. He once quit his guild and encouraged his friends to, also. He quit because he didn't want to do 12 hour raids anymore. This caused him and a few others to be the source of all evil. I've never seen so much anger and hate.

For myself, general chat was often so negative and immature it put me in a down mood, especially in low level areas. People I grouped with seemed to be of two extremes: those really good dorks who couldn't explain well, got frustrated when things weren't perfect, and moved at lightning speeds; and those really immature crybabies (maybe new, maybe young, maybe selfish) who couldn't cooperate, follow directions or communicate. The mixture caused MANY instances I was in to fail or be a chore to complete. If I pay for the game, I expect leveling through it to be fun! But it wasn't. I did find some fun people that I enjoyed playing with. I did a lot of leveling by myself, but WOW reserves only boring mindless quests for soloers (Kill 20 bears, for example). Guild Wars is cool in that one can use heros and henchmen to do instances required to level. So if I find someone cool while chatting in GW, we can group together and it's an awesome experience. But I don't have to group with strangers to do the fun parts.
________

I know lots of people love WOW. I liked it, but I think my time could have been better spent with other games.

WOW! Great

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 11
Date: December 01, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The portal opens...You can choose your side. You may join the allience, and be with the loyal humans, mysterious Night Elves, wise gnomes and mighty Dwarfes. Also you may be able to be on the Horde, including the savage Orcs,the wickedTrolls,insidious Undead and the ruthless Tauren. You are also able to choose their subclass. Like warriors, shamans, paladins, Mages, hunters,rogues,wizards,ect.
As you go across the region you will encounter plenty of mean monsters, quest givers, skills teachers, and lots of other players. If you see another player abusing, you can report him.
This game its not only that you play killing monsters and other things but you can also have a job. You can skin, fish,make potions,mine,make quests, etc.You are also able to design your character, buy him some armor, swords, maces, axes, bows, guns, and plenty of different kinds of other weapons. Some races can only have leather armor, for example the hunters but they can tame beasts. A good thing is that once you stop playing your character will gain experince points. That will give you a reason to continue playing.

I miss the days when I could play several games...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 11
Date: May 10, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I'm an avid gamer. I got this game for Christmas in 2004. I have played it all but exclusively every since. No kidding. People have given me other games, have tried to expose me, and yet--nothing can succeed in tearing me away. I've seen several games come out and thought "wow, I'd really like to play that...and yet--its not WoW." Why that is I can't say for sure, but I do know for a fact that World of Warcraft has given me many times my money's worth.

Other reviewers are correct about several things. The initial game is essentially a race to the maximum level, set at 60 right now. You do quests, group with others, or a take it alone as you work your way up through the game and truly "learn" your character. Once you hit 60 the game changes, and it becomes about constantly tweaking and improving your character. There is also the player versus player (PvP) aspect, which, though frustrating at times, can be incredibly addicting if you love online competition the way I do.

Now let me say that I am not a "hardcore" player. I play almost every night, but I don't put 8-12 hours in like others do. I'm not in one of the big guilds mentioned by others, and do not dedicate a major part of my life to getting the best gear. Instead I try to enjoy the game, exploring the new content Blizzard is constantly adding (and they are adding new stuff quite often) and working toward the best gear I can get based on the time I'm willing to commit to the game. There is a strong social aspect to the game, and peer pressure and such do exist, but you have to accept that when you play a MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game).

Blizzard claims that this is the MMORPG for the casual gamer. I have to agree with them, at least in part. At one time there were over 2000 available quests in the game, and that number continues to grow as they modify the game through "patches." It seems at times like the company caters to only its hardcore fans, but at the same time its impossible not to acknoowledge the sheer content available for the casual gamer.

I've leveled 2 characters to 60 and done much end game content. I've also got many lower level characters that I enjoy. This game is incredibly rewarding if you put the time into it. I highly recommend it regardless of your level of play.

World of Warcraft: The pinnacle of MMORPGs

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 13
Date: October 17, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is it, folks. This is the game we've all been waiting for.

I've been in the World of Warcraft beta since day one, and have been impressed more than I can say. Blizzard has a huge success on their hands.

I'm not going to run through every little detail as to why this game is the greatest MMORPG, but I'll try to give a brief overview.

1) Atmosphere. WoW oozes atmosphere. Every aspect of the game is hand-crafted. Every character animation, every voice, every quest, every zone--it all feels polished by a skillful artist. It doesn't have that computer-generated craptastic feel that some other games have *COUGH EQ2 COUGH*. It feels like a WORLD, a magnificent, vibrant world.

2) Leveling. Leveling is actually //fun// in WoW. I was incredibly burned out on the grind after playing EQ, DAoC, and other leveling treadmill games for years. I decided to give WoW a shot out of a slim hope that it would be different, and I'm glad I did. WoW doesn't have a grinding problem. You do quests to level up for the most part, killing monsters and exploring as you do them. You never sit in one spot, camping one type of monster, for hours (sometimes days) like you did in EQ. It just isn't that type of game. It's much more fun and relaxed. You can actually just log in, do a few quests, and have a lot of fun.

3) Dungeons. Holy cow, the dungeons in WoW are amazing. Ten years from now, when people have moved on from the current crop of MMORPGs, I expect the dungeons in WoW to be one of the most remembered parts of //any// of the MMORPGs out now or coming soon. They're incredibly detailed, incredibly huge, chock full of quests and bosses and loads of fun. These are, hands down, the best dungeons in any game. Ever.

4) General polish. The game just has so many, "Damn, that's cool!" features that it is unreal. The voice emotes such as /v silly are hilarious. They don't advance your character any, but they draw you into the game. There are countless things like that.

5) Zone polish and content density. Every zone in the game is absolutely packed with stuff to do. It isn't like in past MMORPGs where there might be a half dozen points of interest in a zone, and a lot of open land just sitting there doing nothing. No, in WoW, everything is hand crafted and has a purpose. Each zone has dozens and dozens of points of interest, quests, etc.

I don't want to spoil any of the major fun features in the game, so I'll stop there, but mark my words, this game is going to be huge. We've finally got a MMORPG that not only lives up to its hype, it will surpass it.

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