Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos

Review - Top-selling and highly-polished. Our verdict.

The original Warcraft was the first game I played multiplayer on a PC, back in 1994. This was before the Internet was widely used in Britain, before I had ever heard of a network. Thus it was a serial cable enabled head to head battle I indulged in, with a friend carting his mega-tower PC round to my house for a solid day of fun, before my mum kicked us out to get some sun and exercise. Can you sense my nostalgia?

Warcraft II has a similar importance for me, teaching me one vital thing about human nature – even close friends will lie and deceive you to achieve victory. It was during a Warcraft II multiplayer session that my friends on the opposing team convinced me that the Orc grunts would attack each other if left to their own devices, allowing them to build up unmolested as I wasted time trying to amuse my “wayward” troops. I swore to myself that, come Warcraft III, I would not be so naïve…

Blizzard took their time, but finally it has arrived. Warcraft III has evolved from its initial conception as a strategic RPG, and reaches us in a much more recognisable form. Essentially it takes the form of a Starcraft-style RTS with a 3D engine and the addition of hero units, all with the high production values and years of polish that only a well-funded and successful studio like Blizzard can provide. Indeed, if there is one defining characteristic of Blizzard games, it is the high-quality feel of every part of the game – not just great game play, but excellent sound, exceptional movies, functional interfaces and an overall attention to detail that is the product of a studio with talent in depth.

Perhaps the most obvious, but least significant change the franchise has undergone is the move to 3D. The new engine looks splendid, with colourful and well-animated models, retaining the slightly cartoon-like feel of the prequels. The spell effects are excellent, and the maps themselves look fantastic, with flowing waterfalls, wandering wildlife and swaying trees. There are some nice graphical touches too, such as appropriate looking foot or hoof prints being left in snow, and larger vehicles leaving disfiguring tracks wherever they go. There is a well implemented day and night cycle, with unit’s visibility varying accordingly. The buildings look excellent, with the Human and Orc buildings evoking fond memories of Warcraft II, and the new Night Elves are graphically striking, with the giant tree Ancients swaying and groaning in the wind. I would say, however, that the Undead are a little dull by comparison, with many of their buildings looking very similar. Others may disagree. The sound also causes reminiscence, with such familiar gems like the Orc “zug-zug”, and the dejected peasant “alright”.

Essentially, Blizzard has played it safe graphically and aurally, and in my opinion it’s no bad thing. The new 3D engine looks great, and most importantly it does not get in the way of the action. Too many games have died after implementing an unworkable camera, and Warcraft III avoids this by requiring no camera manipulation whatsoever. Interestingly, the ability to move the camera is still in the game, implying that they toyed with the idea of something more interactive. They left it wisely alone.