World of Warcraft: Forever has made a strong first impression after 30 hours in its pre-release beta, according to an initial review that will be updated as the reviewer progresses through the game. The reviewer reached level 13 and plans to continue toward level 60 before delivering a firmer verdict.
Built on the foundations of Classic, Forever combines new zones, class changes and graphical enhancements with features the reviewer feels have been lost from modern World of Warcraft. These include parry, block and hit chance, weapon skill progression, a broader range of secondary stats and the need to train new skill ranks as characters level up.
The slower pace is also a major part of the appeal. Players spend the first 40 levels without a speed boost from a ground mount, encouraging exploration on foot. The reviewer says this makes Azeroth feel larger, more dangerous and more mysterious than in the modern game, where flying has become a default way to travel.
The beta’s new lighting and post-processing also earn praise. While the reviewer finds that fog is overused in some areas, they say the zones look impressive overall and prefer the enhancements to the visuals in the modern game. Players can choose between HD and standard-definition character models.
One concern is Forever’s “realmless” structure, which the reviewer believes could make it harder for roleplayers to build strong communities in shared hubs. Blizzard has defended the approach as beneficial to the game’s long-term health, but the reviewer remains unconvinced and says they are willing to see how it develops.
The review is explicitly a work in progress based on beta play, not a final assessment. The reviewer intends to update it while exploring the remaining levels and new content at a measured pace.
Sources: IGN.