Kung-Fu-Druid Paul G takes a look at the Warcraft expansion.
It is Time - without further haste I beseech you, take up Arthas' continuing journey into madness (as well as other journeys), lest we all be left in the land of unfinished plots.
Warcraft III: Frozen Throne opens with another of those exquisite cinematics that Blizzard have become renowned for in their Warcraft series. Thus having set the scene, you take control of the Warden, a new night elf hero (there's one new hero for each race). The plot then takes you through both human and undead campaigns.
A reworked engine from Blizzard for crafting a more RPG guided game has allowed the Orcs their own story line that turns equally dark. The first episode comes with Frozen Throne - two subsequent episodes will become available online at a later date.
A host of new features such as new character and neutral heroes (including the excellent Pandaran brew master and Pitfiend), spells, army and marine units and new tile sets are all well developed and add an even further depth to the game. Other features such as building and upgrade queuing are very welcome additions to gameplay.
The single-player campaign should have been a little longer, but it does retain an excellent plot throughout, so this is merely a niggle for those of you who play games religiously.
The custom game has been expanded slightly, with a new AI and the introduction of handicap mode for friends or computer opponents making for a better LAN or Battle.net experience.
Online play has also been expanded with the addition of clan gaming into the Warcraft ladders adding a much-requested aspect alongside other new features such as tournament gaming.
Another element is the added extras for the world editor, which bring the a near endless supply of possibilities for the game with masses of new tweaks and editors within the program itself. Expect a lot of new and well-made material from the Warcraft community.
Frozen Throne has been expanded in every way possible without compromising a superb plot or unbalancing the game. A real must have for anyone with the game, and if you hadn't already purchased Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, then why not go now? Buy, dammit, buy!