Mount Hyjal – Part Two
Mount Hyjal as a zone, shows off some of the best WoW quest progression yet. The phasing in particular illustrates why they are investing so much time to redevelop the old and bringing Azeroth into the post WoTLK world. I ran through the majority of Hyjal some time ago in between spurts with the Worgen and Goblin starter zones, there have been changes to the zone since mainly in the flow of the quest lines as you move through the zones but the fundamental theme remains
Mount Hyjal as a zone starts from a quest hub in Nordrassil (the world tree) before you are sent down mountain to stop the progression of the Twilights Hammer and all they madness. Mount Hyjal is being attached by the Fire Lord Ragnaros and his minions with the sole intent on burning every thing in their way, the Twilights Hammer get off on a bit of death and destruction, its the kind of thing that gives you kicks if your purpose in life is.. well to end all life as you know it and bring chaos to the world...
As you progress between quest hubs the phasing subtly kicks in and the world around you changes. You are questing to help the gain the trust of the Ancients of old, who aided Malfurion Stormrage and his pals fend off the desires of the Burning Legion in the War of the Ancients. Tortilla pictured below is one of these a old guys that you need to free from their bonds and raise there support in the battle to save Mount Hyjal.
Tortilla
It is when you aid the spirt of the wilderness Aessina that one of the most striking changes happen. After coming to the assistance of Nordu (pictured below) you meet Aessina who uses her powers to stem the inferno around her, pushing back the flames, transforming the area in which you have spent some time questing.
Nordu
It is this level of interaction with the environment that draws you back into the World of Warcraft, one where you start to read quest texts and pay attention to story your character is progressing through. With this rebirth from the fire WoW became an RPG again, its been an MMO for a long time in my eyes, I think I like the feeling of it becoming being reborn as an MMORPG. Unfortunately you will have to wait for part 3 and the video which I am in the process of finishing, hopefully encoded and uploaded by the end of the week, to demonstrate the changes.
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