20 May 2013 | |
iTZKooPA
This review of the World of Warcraft: Dawn of the Aspects: Part 3 novel by Richard Knaak is of the spoiler-free variety. Check out the entire Blizzard catalog in our Extensive Extended Universe post.
Before diving into the review proper, it’s important to note that Blizzard is releasing this book in a new fashion. Knaak’s latest work in the World of Warcraft universe will trickle out over the next few months in five installments. Each ringing up at $1.99, effectively costing more for those that purchase the full set. The serialized eBook is currently scheduled to wrap up in mid June. As such, this review will be concise.
Review of Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
Dawn of the Aspect has been a struggle to read through. The delayed releases of the individual parts of the eBook has endangered the novel further in my eyes. Rather than continuing reading to reach the next interesting plot point or gloss over additional unnecessary and repetitive detail, one has been left waiting weeks to see anything move forward. It’s been slow going during the first two installments, comprising of 10 chapters. Continue Reading
9 April 2013 | |
iTZKooPA
This review of the World of Warcraft: Dawn of the Aspects: Part II novel by Richard Knaak is of the spoiler-free variety. Check out the entire Blizzard catalog in our Extensive Extended Universe post.
Before diving into the review proper, it’s important to note that Blizzard is releasing this book in a new fashion. Knaak’s latest work in the World of Warcraft universe will trickle out over the next few months in five installments. Each ringing up at $1.99, effectively costing more for those that purchase the full set. The serialized eBook is currently scheduled to wrap up in mid June. As such, this review will be concise.
Review of Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
The story arc of Dawn of the Aspects is slow. Knaak divides the book between two timelines. The reader is rooted in the current timeline, focusing primarily on Kalecgos and, like his predecessor, his fearful decline into madness. Jaina Proudmoore is the only character aside from the former aspect that has a meaningful role in this thread. The reader may be rooted in the current World of Warcraft universe, but the majority of the novel pertains to the evolution of proto-dragons to dragons and the eventual creation of dragon aspects.
Hit the jump for the full review of Part II of Dawn of the Aspects. Continue Reading
26 February 2013 | |
iTZKooPA
This review of the World of Warcraft: Dawn of the Aspects: Part 1 novel by Richard Knaak is of the spoiler-free variety. Check out the entire Blizzard catalog in our Extensive Extended Universe post.
Before diving into the review proper, it’s important to note that Blizzard is releasing this book in a new fashion. Knaak’s latest work in the World of Warcraft universe will trickle out over the next few months in five installments. Each ringing up at $1.99, effectively costing more for those that purchase the full set. The serialized eBook is currently scheduled to wrap up in mid June. As such, this review will be concise.
Knaak returns to his dragonkind after their pyrrhic victory against Deathwing. The former Earth-warder gone only at the cost of the Aspects themselves. The Aspects remain alive, but without their powers leaving them to be known only by their proper monikers. Kalecgos, the former blue aspect after Malygos’ terror was ended, notices a disturbing change in the other, older comrades. They’ve given up, removed themselves from the struggle against the persistent evils of Azeroth. Leaving the chore up to the “younger” races.
Hit the jump for the full review of Part 1 of Dawn of the Aspects. Continue Reading
11 February 2013 | |
iTZKooPA
This review of StarCraft II: Flashpoint novel by Christie Golden is of the spoiler-free variety. Check out the entire Blizzard catalog in our Extensive Extended Universe post.
Ready for an SAT comparison? Flashpoint is to StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm as World of Warcraft: Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War is to Mists of Pandaria. Christie Golden’s latest effort comes on the heels of Devil’s Due, her previous work in the universe, and launches the story of James Raynor, his Raiders and their “allies” into the early workings of Blizzard’s second entry into the StarCraft II trilogy.
Fans looking for deeper understanding of the Zerg or Protoss won’t have much success with Flashpoint. Sure, Sarah Kerrigan is a main character of the novel. One that’s largely comatosed for the novel following the closing cinematic events of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. That’s not to suggest Flashpoint is lore that should be skipped. Completely the opposite in fact. Golden keeps the focus on the Terran struggles by returning to James Raynor, his Raiders, their struggle against Arcturus Mengsk and hope for redeeming the Queen of Blades.
Unlike the previous novels featuring back story to humanity’s most successful backwater Marshall, Flashpoint puts readers right in the thick of the universal struggle to be continued in Heart of the Swarm. Connected to past keys events in the lives of Raynor and Kerrigan via flashbacks, Golden describes the constant struggle the pair have had with trust. From leaders to friends, their past is littered with betrayal. A constant companion. Continue Reading
5 October 2012 | |
iTZKooPA
This review of the World of Warcraft: Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War novel by Christie Golden is of the spoiler-free variety.
No novel has been more appropriately aligned with in-game events than Tides of War. Released just weeks ahead of Mists of Pandaria, Christie Golden was given the task of developing a story arc to kickoff the war between the Horde under Warchief Garrosh and the Alliance. With both sides still reeling from the final events of Cataclysm nearly all expected a lull in factional fighting, perhaps even a renewed chance at peace. Despite her best efforts, Jaine Proudmoore, ever the diplomat and focus of the novel, is unable to reach warmongering Garrosh before violence begins.
Golden is pure Golden in Tides of War. Her characters are spot on, from dialog to emotions, showcasing her in-depth understanding of the universe. Golden isn’t just articulating characters she’s worked with before. That’d be too easy. She’s reaching, grabbing and utilizing now-major players created by others, like Kalecgos and Rhonin, and humanizing smaller players such as General Marcus Jonathan.
Readers beware, like the players of World of Warcraft, the material in this book has grown up compared to other novelizations. There’s the obvious battle and dwarven alcohol references, but the descriptions of certain events and the impact they have on the major characters raise the bar. Characters on both sides of the struggle are so enraged, distraught and disgusted by actions taken by Garrosh that alcohol is openly discussed as an escape mechanism, rather than a comical subtle reference. Furthermore, an honest to god swear is uttered. Continue Reading
1 October 2012 | |
iTZKooPA
Encyclopedia Britannica may have ended its print run, but the MMORPG community is ripe with the desire for physical distribution of in-game knowledge. Never being one to miss a cross-marketing opportunity – no matter how stupid it may be – LucasArts and DK Adult are preparing to unleash a “definitive guide to the epic conflict” that is Star Wars: The Old Republic.
The 352-page hardcover encyclopedia covers everything a gamer, subscription or free-to-play, could need to know. From historical events, classes, important NPCs, races, planets, weaponry and more. The tome wasn’t farmed out either. Several members of the MMORPG’s writing team are responsible for producing the galactic compilation.
Dedicated Lore Hounds and roleplayers should not pass up on pre-ordering Star Wars: The Old Republic: Encyclopedia. The book will be available October 15, 2012, and is likely to become a collector’s item. One that will only set you back $26.40. If you still need convincing, check out the trailer after the jump.
Yes, the book has a freaking trailer. Continue Reading
31 July 2012 | |
iTZKooPA
Announced at BlizzCon 2011 and detailed in late March, the summer line of World of Warcraft licensed Mega Bloks is now available in stores! The latest, greatest and only full-sized line currently available is all about the red and blue, featuring a buildable Deathwing and Stormwind. Too bad his claw prints aren’t on Stormwind’s towers.
Also available are the more rudimentary/junior sets featuring popular characters in 25 piece sets, vehicles and mounts in ~90 piece sets and more mature sets like that of Sindragosa/Lich King pairing coming in at 150 pieces. Prices range from under $10 to $100.
You better believe I’ll be getting my hand on at least one of the more epic collections. My action figure shelves desperately need some new blood.
Mega Bloks and Blizzard will be pairing up in the foreseeable future to continue delivering buildable pieces from Azeroth and beyond.
Check out all your options over at Amazon.
19 April 2012 | |
Pherephassa
… and has been shut down. Talk about poorly planned game launches. The Secret War isn’t an actual MMORPG, but it’s been in the works for months as a part of Funcom’s upcoming game The Secret World. You can win goodies your character will be able to use once the MMORPG launches, such as weapons, clothing, potions and titles. You can also win prizes like a trip to Montreal, and the use of your name in-game (I’ll admit it, I don’t really care about the trip. But I would love to have my name somewhere in the game!).
It’s been a topic of controversy since its announcement many months ago – as it was originally the only way to apply for TSW’s closed beta and required Facebook. Eventually after much forum screaming, Funcom added in a way to apply for beta without having to go through this app, but it seems as though misfortune has continued to shadow The Secret War. The first official launch came and went, and ended with a delay of unknown length. A few days ago, The Secret War was finally launched like a thief in the night, without fanfare or announcement. If there’s one thing that’s certain in the MMO world, however, it’s that fans of a game will discover any tidbit related to their game of choice, and it wasn’t long before people were playing like mad. So like mad that the day after the app launched, Funcom changed the points required to progress from one level to the next, leaving many people – myself included – having to earn their ranks twice.
Continue Reading
