World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria Review

The Video Review

The continent of Pandaria goes to war with Brittany Vincent in this video review for World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria.

The spellbinding world Blizzard spun into existence eight years ago has been a stalwart presence in the realm of massively multiplayer online games. World of Warcraft is a pioneer in many ways, though its core mechanics seem quaint and outdated considering the inroads made by other games since WoW's original 2004 release. Nevertheless, it's still the online hangout of choice for subscribers who cling to the nostalgia factor: glorious raids of the past, milestones achieved, relationships destroyed. The indomitable role-playing game powerhouse is still a pretty big deal after all these years--and Mists of Pandaria offers another reason to cling to this familiar world.

Three-player scenarios are a good way to pass the time with good friends.

The expansion acts as a sentimental renaissance for longtime devotees who have been there since the original WoW beta, as well as a welcoming launching pad for newcomers on the fence about committing to the monthly fee. It's simultaneously alien and traditional, with brand-new content to explore that still channels the charm amassed the ambitious project's enormous fan base.

The continent of Pandaria brings a different dynamic to the world of humdrum sameness that has permeated any number of high-fantasy multiplayer experiences over the years. When you launch the expansion for the first time, the distinct Asian flavor of the sprawling landmarks and sweeping mountain ranges get those exploration urges gnawing at you once more. Whether you're traversing the breathtaking Kun-Lai Summit or trudging through the lush Jade Forest with loads of verdant greenery dotting the countryside, Pandaria is a whole new side to World of Warcraft that reignites the spark for adventure that, for many, peaked in the days of The Burning Crusade.

But as aesthetically pleasing as the continent of Pandaria is, a fresh coat of paint can't single-handedly revitalize an entire world. It sorely needed the aid of the additional playable Pandaren race and the monk class to turn established conventions on their heads. Fortunately, nods to modernization abandon older barriers and break new ground. These changes haven't affected classic questing, which usually involves killing X number of creatures to collect Y amount of loot to exchange for Z. It's tempting to call out Blizzard for content mired in tired trappings such as these, but Mists of Pandaria exhibits little tiredness: the grind feels fresh, effervescent even, especially in the moments from levels 85 to 90.

Questing has never felt so immersive, with assignments ranging from the frivolous to the stoic, including references to the Alliance and Horde conflict that rages on--welcome, grounding narrative touches in a fantasy land filled with pandas and adventurers. No matter the importance of the quest you're picking up, there's a sense of fitting into the goings-on unfolding around you. There's the feeling that you're contributing to the machinations of how the land grows and evolves. And that's something that keeps you coming back for more long after the appeal of looting has faded.

Unfortunately, Pandaria's social aspects are muffled by world phasing and linearity. Group questing has always been a main draw for WOW as a whole, and while Pandaria still supports grouping of course, most of the quests here feel more appropriate for a single-player session in the vein of Star Wars: The Old Republic's quests. That's not to say there isn't any room for enjoyment with friends. It simply feels like the focus has been shifted to solo questing and plot advancement. Fortunately, plenty of options for adding others to the fold come in the form of tactical scenarios requiring three players, where a group is thrust into different situations that keep things casual.

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