WoW Cataclysm cut scenes
Perhaps the most notable changes to WoW Cataclysm questing are the cut scenes. Let’s hear it for WoW Cataclysm cut scenes! Cataclysm cut scenes move the plot along in a way plain text never could. Most players have not and will not read the World of Warcaft novels. NPCs waxing chatty made up some of the difference in storyline knowledge, but it was all too easy for players to simply scan for on-point quest information, ignoring all else. With the addition of cut scenes, events that characters previously acted out only in their heads now unfold on players’ screens.
Another plus is an end to “next-quest-is-upon-me-oh crap-why didn’t-I-read-it first?!” How many players have clicked “accept,” thinking they’d read the quest later, only to find the battle upon them, the person they’re supposed to escort walking away, or their character upon a vehicle? In most cases, “accept” no longer means an immediate jump into a new quest. With WoW Cataclysm came a better way – “Talk to me when you’re ready.” A little of this convenience was salted through previous game versions, and it isn’t universal even now, but WoW Cataclysm shows a noticeable improvement.
Questing new WoW Cataclysm characters out of their starter zones
Leveling the new races out of their starter zones means going through a few pointless quests. “Go talk to such and such a person” generates a great deal of experience points. These “gimme” quests may move the story along, but too much limits interest.
There are a few quests concerning class, but very few. Those that do are very easily accomplished, unlike the original hunter pet quests. The original hunter pet quests sent the character back and forth in what at first seemed a pointless series. What that series and others like it accomplished was a better understanding of how to use the tools. A simple chat with a trainer at the appropriate level teaches little about using new tools. On the up side, some players much prefer learning by trial and error.
WoW Cataclysm level 80 plus
For the most part, WoW Cataclysm high level quests offer challenges and new, high interest zones. One problem is that level 80 plus quests sometimes offer no risk or effort. Walking across the room should not generate significant amounts of money and experience points. Moving the plot along is accomplished well enough through the aforementioned cut scenes.
WoW Cataclysm archeology – where are the quests?
Archeology is a great addition, but where are the quests? There are cooking and fishing quests, but archeology’s down side lies in the same old actions required to create an often dull result. More quests for skills would improve this profession significantly. Level 85 players have better gear, more experience and are almost indestructible in many of the zones utilized by archeology. Quests to match skill would keep it fresh.
WoW Cataclysm expands on phasing
Phasing means once a quest is completed, game play and often the landscape changes for that character. A phased character cannot interact with a character outside of that phase of a quest line. Phasing creates more realistic game play. The only down side is that characters who have completed that particular quest line may not help other players with the same quests.
One point to mention – phased and non phased players may stand in the same area in some cases. The phased characters interact with NPCs the other player cannot hear or see. For those using Teamspeak or other voice communication software, this is most amusing.
New zones use phasing extensively
Leveling new worgen and goblin characters out of their starter zones means phasing. That’s great for cutting out griefers, or players bent on making life hard for opposing factions by killing quest givers. The down side is that characters made at the same time may be one quest away from actually playing together. Phasing has definite advantages, but it makes interactive play more difficult. Interactive play is one of the better features of WoW. After all, it is a MMORP (Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game, for those not in the know).
Improvements are always possible, but on the whole, WoW Cataclysm questing has improved on the old form.
