"World of Warcraft: Cataclysm" Vs "Burning Crusade" & "Wrath of the Lich King"

Just as exciting as the Burning Crusade expansion and more fully featured than Wrath of the Lich King- Cataclysm strikes a happy medium between its two predecessors. The main problem with Wrath of the Lich King was an overall lack of content. The second expansion to World of Warcraft felt like nothing but a graphical face-lift and the addition of the Death Knight. The main problem was that the new area didn't feel like enough to justify the hefty price. The Burning Crusade was a fantastic add-on because it served up a large amount of the new content as well as desired gameplay tweaks- it's nice that Blizzard returned to that formula with Cataclysm.

With Cataclysm. World of Warcraft has gotten a number of long-desired new features. Chief among them being the new level cap (85) and more varied class/race choices. I have to admit I was glad I could now make a Tauren Paladin- one of my favorite races and classes that previously could not mix.

For World of Warcraft gamers on the fence, I'll break it down. For gamers that were enticed by all the gameplay improvements, refinements, and content that Burning Crusade offered- you'll be very impressed with Cataclysm. For those more intrigued by the developments in Wrath of the Lich King and the arc presented it by it, you'll probably be less thrilled.

The story elements presented in Cataclysm are exciting, but uninspired. Its a heck of a ride at the start- topping Wrath of the Lich King in terms of tension and suspense, though it is less original. Most of Cataclysm's plot is a little too familiar to avid RPG gamers- especially those that favor consoles. When not following the main story, the side quests are a blast. Breathing new air into World of Warcraft, it's a treat to have so much more to do. It's a shame that Rogues are still so cheap and it would have been nice to see something something instead of the 'goblin' as a new race, but overall its still very satisfying.

Burning Crusade taught us that there was even more waiting in the World of Warcraft. Wrath of the Lich King gave us a fun diversion as well as some new twists and turns for the series- the best addition being the incentive to progress a character far enough to attain a Death Knight. Cataclysm will be known as a return to former glory by putting gameplay improvements over graphical enhancements.