With the new release of World of Warcraft: The War Within, fans of the legendary MMORPG are once again diving into new adventures, exploring uncharted territories, and facing formidable foes. As players venture into this latest chapter of Azeroth’s story, it’s the perfect time to look back at the history of WoW expansions from the last two decades.
Over the years, some expansions have been celebrated for their epic stories and engaging gameplay, while others have fallen short of expectations. Let’s revisit the 3 Best and 3 Worst WoW expansions to see how they shaped the game we know today.
The 3 Best Expansions
If you’ve been wondering which World of Warcraft expansions are considered the best, there’s always disagreeing opinions. With so many updates over the years, it’s easy to debate which ones truly stand out. Let’s explore the expansions that are often hailed as the best of the best in WoW’s long and storied history.
1. Wrath of the Lich King (2008)
Wrath of the Lich King is often hailed as the pinnacle of WoW expansions. It introduced players to Northrend, a frozen continent filled with rich lore and epic battles. The storyline centered around Arthas, the Lich King, one of the most iconic and tragic characters in Warcraft history. Players loved the epic raids, like Icecrown Citadel, where they finally faced the Lich King himself. The introduction of the Death Knight class also added a fresh, dark twist to the game. With its compelling story, challenging content, and memorable characters, Wrath of the Lich King remains a fan favorite.
2. The Burning Crusade (2007)
As WoW’s first expansion, The Burning Crusade set a high standard for those that followed. It took players through the Dark Portal to the shattered world of Outland, where they encountered fierce new enemies and incredible landscapes. This expansion introduced two new playable races, the Blood Elves and the Draenei, expanding the lore and adding new dimensions to the game.
Flying mounts were also introduced, changing the way players explored the world. The challenging raids and dungeons, like Karazhan and Black Temple, kept players engaged for hours. The Burning Crusade is still remembered for its groundbreaking content and the excitement it brought to the game.
3. Legion (2016)
Legion was a much-needed return to form after some less successful expansions. It brought back the Burning Legion, a demonic army that had long been a threat in WoW’s lore. The introduction of Artifact weapons, which players could upgrade and customize throughout the expansion, added depth and personalization to the game. The new Demon Hunter class, with its unique abilities like double-jumping and gliding, offered a fresh and exhilarating way to experience the game. Legion also delivered a steady stream of content and a compelling story, keeping players engaged and satisfied.
The 3 Worst Expansions
Next we’re going to look at some of the worst expansions and break down the changes that made the player base upset. We’ll explore how these changes caused frustration and led to fewer people playing the game. By the end, you’ll understand what went wrong and why so many players were disappointed.
1. Warlords of Draenor (2014)
Warlords of Draenor had a promising start with a thrilling time-travel storyline that took players to an alternate version of Draenor, the orc homeworld. The new world was beautifully crafted, and the introduction of garrisons, where players could build and manage their own base, seemed exciting at first. However, the expansion quickly lost momentum. Long content droughts and a lack of engaging endgame activities left players feeling that Blizzard overpromised and underdelivered. The initial excitement faded fast, making Warlords of Draenor one of the most disappointing expansions in WoW’s history.
2. Battle for Azeroth (2018)
Battle for Azeroth aimed to reignite the fierce rivalry between the Alliance and Horde, but it ended up dividing the player base in more ways than one. The storyline was criticized for being too drawn out and lacking focus. The new Azerite Armor system, which was meant to add depth to character customization, ended up feeling grindy and unfulfilling. While the expansion did introduce some interesting features, like Warfronts and Allied Races, these weren’t enough to save it from the overall negative reception. Many players felt that Battle for Azeroth was just grinding the Azerite and it didn’t live up to the expectations set by its predecessors.
3. Shadowlands (2020)
Shadowlands took players into the afterlife, exploring the realms where souls go after death. The expansion had a lot of potential, with intriguing new zones and the introduction of Covenants, which allowed for unique character abilities and rewards. However, the expansion struggled with repetitive endgame content, and the storyline didn’t resonate with many players. Despite its initial promise, Shadowlands left players feeling disconnected and unsatisfied, making it one of the weaker entries in the WoW expansion lineup.
Will The War Within Be a Hit or Miss?
As World of Warcraft: The War Within begins its journey, players are eager to see whether this new expansion will be another classic or if it might struggle to live up to expectations. With fresh content, new features, and a storyline that promises to take Azeroth in bold new directions, there’s a lot riding on The War Within. Will it capture the magic of the best expansions, like Wrath of the Lich King, or will it stumble as others have before it? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the World of Warcraft community will be watching closely.
The State of WoW Classic
The current state of WoW Classic offers players a variety of ways to experience the game, including WoW Classic: Cataclysm, WoW Classic Hardcore, Classic ERA, and the new Season of Discovery. While this variety appeals to different playstyles and preferences, it risks splitting the player base, which could create long-term challenges in maintaining active communities in each version.
Many players have also been requesting ERA servers for TBC and Wrath, with petitions circulating to support this demand. Additionally, Season of Discovery has seen a decline in player numbers, as more players are shifting their focus back to Classic ERA servers, which seem to be maintaining a stronger player base. Blizzard faces a complex task in balancing these different communities and interests moving forward.
