With a growing number of competitor games invading its home turf, the latest expansion of World of Warcraft still proves its top dog in the realm of massively multiplayer online gaming.

Gamers have months of new content to discover as they traverse the latest continent to appear in Azeroth: Northrend. Stepping into the virtual world, your sights are assaulted with fantastical new zones ranging from lush greenery and floating cities through to barren ice lands and Titan-esque ancient structures.

These become your new playgrounds as you choose between questing, player vs player (PvP) combat, dungeon adventuring and eventually: for the most committed, taking on high-level bosses in raids.

It’s a game of dedication and variety. Upping the ante with this expansion, veteran gamers who’d reached the last level cap of 70 have seen their experience bar return. The new goal is 80, with corresponding level increases in skills and professions. With the opportunity to play solo, or in groups of five, ten and even 25, challenges are endless, as are the item rewards that allow you to customise and improve your character’s stats.

New features abound in ‘Lich King, with Blizzard adding gameplay mechanics to excite its huge population. Additions include pilotable siege vehicles for use in PvP, and the fan pleaser that is in-flight combat.

Gamers are all rushing to create their own Death Knight, the game’s first hero class character and one of the biggest of the new additions. Multipurpose, it can function as both a damage deliverer and party punch-bag, making the game much more ‘group friendly’. Previously one of the most frustrating elements to group questing was the need for a specific character class to achieve a workable group dynamic. This often led to long waits for the right people to come online. This barrier has now been removed.

The game’s original content has also been given a fresh lease of life. An addictive achievement system offers challenges based in the ‘classic’ continents as well as those from the expansions. New players haven’t been overlooked either, with lower character levelling made much speedier, allowing players to access the new content at a quicker pace. 

Initially newcomers can be overwhelmed. The game is at times highly complex and has a steep learning curve. But for those up to the challenge, this game offers huge satisfaction and endless playability for the casual through to hardcore player. Less than 48 hours after release, Northrend is buzzing with life, and more than ever the game’s social aspect is coming to the forefront. Once again ‘Warcraft successfully defines what an MMO should be about.