WoW: Cataclysm Cinematic Intro Blows Everything Up Forever

[YouCallMeNighthawk]

I agree they make truely epic intro movies, but still isn't going to get me to play the game.

They really should make a full length movie, i would definetly go see that!

 

[Yelchor]

Yep...but then again...somewhere around WotLK I'd pretty much given up on WoW sticking to some of its lore roots for a change, rather than just making stuff up as it went along. It started very subtly, with things like the draenei being retconned in TBC or the odd wierd gadget, but that was acceptable enough since it still had some new lore standing behind it. But then by this last expansion it was all about choppers and full-blown snarky copypasta of real-world items, people and events and...meh...the illusion, that WoW is a seperate universe, really was broken for me by then quite resoundly and the level of my enthusiasm for any kind of RPing dwindled along with it.

Kinda probably what the subtext of Cataclysm is tbh: "This ain't your father's Warcraft anymore! It's changed forever! So get along on the ride or STFU!" But nonetheless that doesn't mean that this new Warcraft with wierdo modernistic jokes, ala what was done in the old games, beginning to drive the narrative moreso rather than just being a nifty little side-quip you get from clicking on your units to bug them couldn't work hence...I'm willing to give it 2 months. But I doubt any more than that.

Ah, yes. The technology advancement in the Warcraft universe by the time of WotLK was bizarre and comical. For some reason people bothered using bronze-age weaponry when apparently sabers and -machine guns- had been invented. Heck. They even had frikkin' -STEAM TANKS-. Moving artillery units minus the restriction of fossilized fuel. Choppers, and now cars... This is something that has always gotten on my nerves. Any hostilities between the two player factions would be laughably one-sided really. It looks like Blizzard just throws stuff in without any thought on wherether it makes sense or not.

There is of course magic, but things aren't even explained as to how this adds up to industralized technology. Beacuse of this unsorted pile of equipment from different stages of advancement, nothing feels like it really matters. Neither does the apparent threats to the world appear intimidating. The only time when a sense of dread came over you was in Icecrown where you saw enormous hordes of Undead and countless of frostwyrms circling the skies the size of four busses. However any potential of adding tension was thrown away as apparently the living could breeze through it without consequence nor explanation as to how they pulled it off. Poof! Right at the Citadel's entrance! No biggie, we just stand back and do nothing while players respawn enough times to bring down the boss!

This was the case long before WotLK, and I would have quit over three years ago were it not for the roleplay. Despite the lore mess... Warcraft does have one of the more solid game worlds where stories doesn't become insignificant and unfocused. That's good enough for me. For now...

*Peers at Star Wars: The Old Republic*

 

[Malidictuim]

I like Deathwing more than the other expac villians. Which surprised me cause I ADORE Illidan and Arthas to the point of religious worship. But the reason I like Deathwing is, they won't fuck him up by over-analyzing him. He's mean. He's insane. He's super powerful. HE WANTS US DEAD. That's it. No humanity in his character (I hope) just pure, volcanic rage. Like we see in the video. He's pissed off at us for breathing his oxygen, so he's gonna ruin everything everywhere just because he can. No reason beyond that is nessecary. Sometimes less backstory is more in my opinion.

 

[Yelchor]

Probably the weakest intro they've made yet. Still impressive, but sub-par in comparison. The music is nothing special, the voiceovers have no meaning (RAAR LOOK AT ME I'M SO MAD IMA KILL EVERYTHING RAAR), what's happening makes little sense (so Deathwing can just fly over things and DESTROY THE WORLD?) and the camera angles make me think i'm looking at miniatures instead of landmarks.

And sorry John, Blizzard's cinematics always had that ironic/tragic/dramatic element that made them special. The eye candy is neat and all, but i never watched them for that. The irony of Arthas's father, the contrast of Arthas being hailed as a hero compared to what he really was, the inner turmoil of the Wanderer - it's not about the cinematics, but their meaning and the atmosphere they conveyed.

Agreed. It was the character-progression that created such a dramatic effect that you were willing to spend weeks grinding and farming just to see a glimpse of the closure to the tale that gave a great emotional impression. Sadly, such is lacked in this expansion.

Deathwing could be portrayed in greater depth perhaps, but there has been no build-up. He has only made major appearances in the novels, which can be difficult to relate to. And as far as I know, he just went power-hungry and turned against his friends and siblings. No other feelings stem from that appart from "Oh, neat. A new raid encounter".

I'm not as negative to the rest of the plot advancements, I'm pretty sure I'll have fun flying across Azeroth for a while atleast.

Story-wise in overall? A disappointment. They shouldn't have been so rushed with this. I would have given it time, and added build-up plot development through a period of patches until BOOM! Expansion announcement! Here it just exploded while most of us were busy in Northrend. Like a new assignment on the job, nothing more.

 

[Keava]

Deathwing could be portrayed in greater depth perhaps, but there has been no build-up. He has only made major appearances in the novels, which can be difficult to relate to. And as far as I know, he just went power-hungry and turned against his friends and siblings. No other feelings stem from that appart from "Oh, neat. A new raid encounter".

Erm Deathwing was a major character in Warcraft's lore ever since Warcraft II: Beyond The Dark Portal where he made appearance during the campaign. In WoW alone you had Onyxia and Nefarion being obvious links to his activities, he is referenced in several quests throughout the span of the game, he makes appearance in Yog-Saron encounter, Netherdrakes are his progeny, and he was behind many of the major event's before Arthas got to be the public favourite.

 

[Loonerinoes]

Yep...but then again...somewhere around WotLK I'd pretty much given up on WoW sticking to some of its lore roots for a change, rather than just making stuff up as it went along. It started very subtly, with things like the draenei being retconned in TBC or the odd wierd gadget, but that was acceptable enough since it still had some new lore standing behind it. But then by this last expansion it was all about choppers and full-blown snarky copypasta of real-world items, people and events and...meh...the illusion, that WoW is a seperate universe, really was broken for me by then quite resoundly and the level of my enthusiasm for any kind of RPing dwindled along with it.

Kinda probably what the subtext of Cataclysm is tbh: "This ain't your father's Warcraft anymore! It's changed forever! So get along on the ride or STFU!" But nonetheless that doesn't mean that this new Warcraft with wierdo modernistic jokes, ala what was done in the old games, beginning to drive the narrative moreso rather than just being a nifty little side-quip you get from clicking on your units to bug them couldn't work hence...I'm willing to give it 2 months. But I doubt any more than that.

Ah, yes. The technology advancement in the Warcraft universe by the time of WotLK was bizarre and comical. For some reason people bothered using bronze-age weaponry when apparently sabers and -machine guns- had been invented. Heck. They even had frikkin' -STEAM TANKS-. Moving artillery units minus the restriction of fossilized fuel. Choppers, and now cars... This is something that has always gotten on my nerves. Any hostilities between the two player factions would be laughably one-sided really. It looks like Blizzard just throws stuff in without any thought on wherether it makes sense or not.

There is of course magic, but things aren't even explained as to how this adds up to industralized technology. Beacuse of this unsorted pile of equipment from different stages of advancement, nothing feels like it really matters. Neither does the apparent threats to the world appear intimidating. The only time when a sense of dread came over you was in Icecrown where you saw enormous hordes of Undead and countless of frostwyrms circling the skies the size of four busses. However any potential of adding tension was thrown away as apparently the living could breeze through it without consequence nor explanation as to how they pulled it off. Poof! Right at the Citadel's entrance! No biggie, we just stand back and do nothing while players respawn enough times to bring down the boss!

This was the case long before WotLK, and I would have quit over three years ago were it not for the roleplay. Despite the lore mess... Warcraft does have one of the more solid game worlds where stories doesn't become insignificant and unfocused. That's good enough for me. For now...

*Peers at Star Wars: The Old Republic*

Yap. Pretty much my sentiments tbh. Heheh and about the whole 'right at the Citadel's entrance' thing, that's exactly why I suggested on the SWTOR suggestions page a long while back that in no way whatsoever should they incorporate flying mounts, because that will seriously anihalate any semblance of tension, effort or feeling like a certain area is *really* something for which you need to prepare to enter.

 

[Knife-28]

I'm not a Blizzard fan, but their CGI trailers make me drool with their visuals, their story, not so much.

 

[pffh]

No king rules forever. A lesson deathwing will soon learn (and horde players too I guess since they're losing both Thrall and Cairne).

 

[Gerrawn]

We're gonna need more DOTs.

 

[The Cheezy One]

I have never so much wanted to get into WoW. Should I get this first (as well as WoW), or just play through it one piece of Expansion pack at a time?

 

[pffh]

I have never so much wanted to get into WoW. Should I get this first (as well as WoW), or just play through it one piece of Expansion pack at a time?

You have two options: Get wow now and play through the old content before it all goes away in cataclysm or wait for cataclysm and play through it then.
I would just get the original first and then get the burning crusade (1st expansion) when you hit level 58 and wrath of the lich king (2nd) when you hit 68 and finally cataclysm (3rd) when you hit 78 (or 80).

If you start now you'll have about two months to get to 58 before the old content is lost (plenty of time, depending on how much you play it will take 3-6 weeks on average (and of course some people do it in more and some in a lot less))

 

[The Cheezy One]

I have never so much wanted to get into WoW. Should I get this first (as well as WoW), or just play through it one piece of Expansion pack at a time?

You have two options: Get wow now and play through the old content before it all goes away in cataclysm or wait for cataclysm and play through it then.
I would just get the original first and then get the burning crusade (1st expansion) when you hit level 58 and wrath of the lich king (2nd) when you hit 68 and finally cataclysm (3rd) when you hit 78 (or 80).

If you start now you'll have about two months to get to 58 before the old content is lost (plenty of time, depending on how much you play it will take 3-6 weeks on average (and of course some people do it in more and some in a lot less))

So the world is changing with all WoW packs. I thought it would just be for people that got Cata. Excuse my lack of knowledge - while I am a follower of Warcraft canon, I'm not that up on WoW and how it works

 

[Xerosch]

Hmm... it was quite underwhelming. Blizzard destroys the world players have spent years in and there's not mot going on except for a bit of flying. There's neither city nor Warcraft 3 hero in this which gives the cinematic less of an impact as it could have.

This is how you blow shit up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsRdl9qgFYY&p=C76D3C1D9C97A6D8&playnext=1&index=3

[So the world is changing with all WoW packs. I thought it would just be for people that got Cata. Excuse my lack of knowledge - while I am a follower of Warcraft canon, I'm not that up on WoW and how it works

WoW is in fact a changing world that expands with every Addon. Technically you can't choose between which Addon you play as once installed, the world gets bigger and new features (like playable races) get unlocked. You should check out Blizzard's website and download the 14 day free trial of the game. It includes the first expansion (Burning Crusade) and if you buy the full version you can keep your character and his current level.

 

[Ranorak]

Eh, count me among the underwhelmed. Maybe it's because I've never played WoW. I don't recognize the places being destroyed, nor do I recognize the decent-looking dragon destroying said places. Seems to me this trailer will cater more heavily to those who already play. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing.

Not to be nitpicky, but it's not a trailer.
It's the opening cinematic.
The one that you see when you first start playing.

This is the trailer:

 

[ThreeKneeNick]

I think it's meh. Deathing doesn't do a whole lot other than fly around all "HEY GUIZ LEWK AT MEH!"

This is such utter meh'ness... It's making me sad.

Cool eye candy though.

Whaaaaaaaaaat?

I mean, let's be honest here. We watch their videos for the eye candy (and the awesome cinematography, but that falls under "eye candy"), and this was awesome eye candy.

Much better than Classic/BC intros, IMO. Not sure if I like it as much as the WotLK one.

I just want to add that eye candy had much more of an impact back when it was actually difficult to make. These days technology has gone so far that making a cinematic like this is a piece of cake. Eye candy alone is no longer enough. I also think its pretty but meh. And i absolutely LOVED the TBC cinematic. It's my favorite.

 

[Ferisar]

see this is why I like eve. oh no giant dragon.... launching cruise missiles. *BOOM*

cruise missile > gun > magic > sword/hammer > stick

we also have cooler trailers/intros

Now if only eve was actually entertaining.

I just want to add that eye candy had much more of an impact back when it was actually difficult to make. These days technology has gone so far that making a cinematic like this is a piece of cake. Eye candy alone is no longer enough. I also think its pretty but meh. And i absolutely LOVED the TBC cinematic. It's my favorite.

You crazy bro. You be crazy.

 

[Delusibeta]

Spotted on the RPS comments thread: Bazinga. [http://tubedubber.com/#Wq4Y7ztznKc:LrkrQXuDq24:0:100:7:0:false]

 

[Kinokohatake]

All I could think about was "Man those poor minions died just doing their jobs. Poor guys"

 

[John Funk]

Yep...but then again...somewhere around WotLK I'd pretty much given up on WoW sticking to some of its lore roots for a change, rather than just making stuff up as it went along. It started very subtly, with things like the draenei being retconned in TBC or the odd wierd gadget, but that was acceptable enough since it still had some new lore standing behind it. But then by this last expansion it was all about choppers and full-blown snarky copypasta of real-world items, people and events and...meh...the illusion, that WoW is a seperate universe, really was broken for me by then quite resoundly and the level of my enthusiasm for any kind of RPing dwindled along with it.

Kinda probably what the subtext of Cataclysm is tbh: "This ain't your father's Warcraft anymore! It's changed forever! So get along on the ride or STFU!" But nonetheless that doesn't mean that this new Warcraft with wierdo modernistic jokes, ala what was done in the old games, beginning to drive the narrative moreso rather than just being a nifty little side-quip you get from clicking on your units to bug them couldn't work hence...I'm willing to give it 2 months. But I doubt any more than that.

Ah, yes. The technology advancement in the Warcraft universe by the time of WotLK was bizarre and comical. For some reason people bothered using bronze-age weaponry when apparently sabers and -machine guns- had been invented. Heck. They even had frikkin' -STEAM TANKS-. Moving artillery units minus the restriction of fossilized fuel. Choppers, and now cars... This is something that has always gotten on my nerves. Any hostilities between the two player factions would be laughably one-sided really. It looks like Blizzard just throws stuff in without any thought on wherether it makes sense or not.

There is of course magic, but things aren't even explained as to how this adds up to industralized technology. Beacuse of this unsorted pile of equipment from different stages of advancement, nothing feels like it really matters. Neither does the apparent threats to the world appear intimidating. The only time when a sense of dread came over you was in Icecrown where you saw enormous hordes of Undead and countless of frostwyrms circling the skies the size of four busses. However any potential of adding tension was thrown away as apparently the living could breeze through it without consequence nor explanation as to how they pulled it off. Poof! Right at the Citadel's entrance! No biggie, we just stand back and do nothing while players respawn enough times to bring down the boss!

This was the case long before WotLK, and I would have quit over three years ago were it not for the roleplay. Despite the lore mess... Warcraft does have one of the more solid game worlds where stories doesn't become insignificant and unfocused. That's good enough for me. For now...

*Peers at Star Wars: The Old Republic*

Uh, just one point to correct: Warcraft has always been a weird mix of magic and technology. Dwarves had steam tanks and flying machines all the way back in WC2.

 

[Loonerinoes]

Well yes, it always was that of course. And the magic and technology mix wasn't really *that* disturbing before, when you see it on a top-down view while you command your units on the battlefield.

But the feelings tend to change when one sees it up close and not used in relative moderation. It took quite a while to build up steam tanks and to charge with them in WC3 and 3X. Flying machines could rarely be used for much other than just aerial combat, scouting and other such minor things...but now everyone seems to have their own chopper, flying machine, grenades, ect. and chucks them around willy nilly, both sides have titanic airships with shields and slowly the point when the absurdity hits you in the face approaches. That these amazing machines (and magic as well) have become the standard rather than the exception because...well...*everyone* wants one in an MMO.

And even moreso, everyone loves to use them for silly things rather than things that might actually contribute meaningfully to the lore like say...using choppers to hog-bounce around that Dalaran well you were fishing from heh. It's cute and it's funny really, but it also gives the impression that the game doesn't want you to take it seriously in any form or fashion and while that might be good on some levels, it sucks when trying to hype yourself up for things like RPing characters or taking the game's world seriously. But...some people might prefer that...though the whole 'discworld' feeling of self-mockery wears thin if abused constantly like this for me at least.