World Of Warcraft: Forever game preview – A land reimagined
This spin-off release aims to refresh Blizzard’s legendary MMO with new zones, quests and modern upgrades
Later this month, World Of Warcraft turns 22, an astonishing age for a game that still attracts millions of paying subscribers. Over the years, it has grown (some would say bloated) across 11 expansions, while its various Classic editions offer a return to earlier versions of the game. Now, World Of Warcraft: Forever promises a different kind of reset.
A standalone title set in the original 2004 timeline, Forever aims to remix the game with updated professions and new ways to play. Developer Blizzard has reworked the existing map and added three new zones, plus 1000 quests on top of the original and revamped questlines. There are also new dungeons and raids, revamped character models and an expanded range of race and class combinations. A new race, Skyborne, offers a variant on the high elf.
An extensive recent beta test gave players an early glimpse of the changes and the responses have been very positive. While Classic appeals to players seeking a return to the slower-paced experience of the early days, Forever aims to marry that nostalgia with a substantial technical overhaul. Volumetric lighting and dynamic shadows give familiar locations a more atmospheric look, while controller support finally offers an alternative to the traditional keyboard-and-mouse set-up. Blizzard’s challenge will be making these changes feel meaningful without losing what made the original game so enduring. It’s an intriguing attempt to bridge the gap between old-school foundations and modern expectations.
World Of Warcraft: Forever is released on PC on Wednesday 4 November.