07-07-2003, 03:07 PM
And that's all I have to say. ;) When I beat it, you can expect a full writeup. The expansion forces you to do multiple things at once - throughout its entirety. MUCH moreso than the original. I'm finding it about as challenging, per my skill level, as the original, but overall, I'd say it's harder. It's certainly better, at least in terms of gameplay alone. And the story is top-notch, too. The in-game cinematics, as I've stated already, are top-notch, fitting in perfectly and actually ENHANCING the experience instead of detracting. Mucho better than in the original. ;)
The bonus Orc campaign is NOT finished, I learned the hard way. Still, that one Act (out of three) is almost as big as any of the other races' campaigns in their entirety. No joke. :) It's big, it's unique, and it's totally RPG - not an ounce of RTS in Act 1. Later acts may change that, but I doubt it. It does great for showing just what can be done with the new and improved editor (mind-blowing), and also takes a huge turn away from the typical wreck & plunder of the main campaigns. All in all, VERY well done, and a great change of pace. :)
I must admit, I miss those Night Elves. They are my favorite race. :D The ending for them is not what you'd expect, but the storyline is typical Blizzard work (read: good, and involving). Not quite Final Fantasy type epic, but definitely worthy of Blizzard's past praise. :) When you get into the Blood Elf - er, I mean Alliance (Human Alliance, to be more precise) - campaign, try to find the easter egg. I nailed it without even trying, and it was quite an amusing little gem. I actually thought it was part of the campaign itself when I played it - and I sucked, royally. ;) Went back for a second go after getting through all but the last level (Undead is the third, and final, campaign), and actually managed to beat it. :) The story goes on regardless of whether you beat it or not, as it IS a "Secret Level", but it's still a very nice addition. Classic Blizzard touch, like the "Medeival Man" song in Warcraft II. :D
Gameplay is top-notch, much better than in the original. The story is of equal quality, and the new units are a wonderful breath of fresh air. Not to mention the new tilesets - the Winter tileset isn't anything grand, compared to what we originally had (Lordaeron Winter), but the Desert Tilest is simply gorgeous, as I'm sure you noted from that lavish backdrop for the NE campaign. :D Unfortunately, the backdrops only diminish in quality as you go up the line (although the Orc one is almost as good as the NE one), but they're still good, if rather bland. Combined with all the new changes to gameplay and interface - both big and small - and a huge overhaul to the World Editor, and you have yourself a supreme expansion pack. :D Definitely worth the money I spent on it, especially considering what I payed for the original (in Collector's Edition format, no less ;)).
One final note (minor spoilerish):
Expect some history. :) That's all I'm going to say. If you thought this game drifted too far from the past WC storyline, finish the Frozen Throne. You won't be nearly as disappointed. :D
The bonus Orc campaign is NOT finished, I learned the hard way. Still, that one Act (out of three) is almost as big as any of the other races' campaigns in their entirety. No joke. :) It's big, it's unique, and it's totally RPG - not an ounce of RTS in Act 1. Later acts may change that, but I doubt it. It does great for showing just what can be done with the new and improved editor (mind-blowing), and also takes a huge turn away from the typical wreck & plunder of the main campaigns. All in all, VERY well done, and a great change of pace. :)
I must admit, I miss those Night Elves. They are my favorite race. :D The ending for them is not what you'd expect, but the storyline is typical Blizzard work (read: good, and involving). Not quite Final Fantasy type epic, but definitely worthy of Blizzard's past praise. :) When you get into the Blood Elf - er, I mean Alliance (Human Alliance, to be more precise) - campaign, try to find the easter egg. I nailed it without even trying, and it was quite an amusing little gem. I actually thought it was part of the campaign itself when I played it - and I sucked, royally. ;) Went back for a second go after getting through all but the last level (Undead is the third, and final, campaign), and actually managed to beat it. :) The story goes on regardless of whether you beat it or not, as it IS a "Secret Level", but it's still a very nice addition. Classic Blizzard touch, like the "Medeival Man" song in Warcraft II. :D
Gameplay is top-notch, much better than in the original. The story is of equal quality, and the new units are a wonderful breath of fresh air. Not to mention the new tilesets - the Winter tileset isn't anything grand, compared to what we originally had (Lordaeron Winter), but the Desert Tilest is simply gorgeous, as I'm sure you noted from that lavish backdrop for the NE campaign. :D Unfortunately, the backdrops only diminish in quality as you go up the line (although the Orc one is almost as good as the NE one), but they're still good, if rather bland. Combined with all the new changes to gameplay and interface - both big and small - and a huge overhaul to the World Editor, and you have yourself a supreme expansion pack. :D Definitely worth the money I spent on it, especially considering what I payed for the original (in Collector's Edition format, no less ;)).
One final note (minor spoilerish):
Expect some history. :) That's all I'm going to say. If you thought this game drifted too far from the past WC storyline, finish the Frozen Throne. You won't be nearly as disappointed. :D
Roland *The Gunslinger*