Classic RPG Elements Reimagined
The source reviewer found World of Warcraft: Forever to be a revelation, stripping away years of modern 'streamlinesh**tification' to restore a deeper RPG experience. The return of features like parry, block, hit chance, and weapon skill leveling, alongside more secondary stats, was highly praised. The longer leveling process, requiring players to visit class hubs in major cities to purchase skill ranks, was also appreciated for fostering a stronger connection to the world and its NPCs. This reintroduction of classic mechanics makes the game feel richer and more engaging compared to its modern counterpart.
Exploration in Azeroth is significantly enhanced by the game's insistence on ground travel for the first 40 levels. This design choice reconnects players with the world, making it feel vast, perilous, and mysterious, a stark contrast to the often-expedited aerial travel of Modern WoW. The source review highlights how this approach revitalizes the sense of discovery.
Visuals and Exploration
Visually, World of Warcraft: Forever benefits from new lighting and post-processing, which the source reviewer believes makes it look superior to Modern WoW, even with HD models enabled. While some areas might have excessive fog, the overall graphical enhancements are lauded, making the zones appear stunning and the experience of returning to Modern WoW feel like a downgrade.
Community Concerns
Despite the overwhelmingly positive impressions, the source reviewer expressed concerns regarding the 'realmless' structure. This design choice, particularly problematic for roleplayers, risks fragmenting capital city hubs and hindering community building. While Blizzard asserts its long-term benefits, the source reviewer remains unconvinced, though willing to observe its impact.
