World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (PC Games, 2007)

World of Warcaft with Burning Crusade is quite possibly, the best MMORPG (Massive Multiplyer Online Roleplaying Game) ever made. At 9 million active accounts worldwide, it is not only an amazing game, it is a shining example of how game publishers should continually provide new content to the players.

The game caters to both casual gamers and power gamers alike. There is more than enough for beginning players to do as quests lead them to danger and adventure, with each quest getting progressively more difficult as the characters are led deeper into the next, and more dangerous area. As the characters gain experience levels, they eventually reach level 70, the current highest allowed level where the game begins to cater to power gamers. At level 70, there is a whole new set of quests and dungeons that open up that are specifically designed to be very challenging. Add to all of this the options for a completely customizable interface that allows the installation of third party mods and tools to enhance game play, and you have a power gamers dream come true. Everything from the overall look at feel, to button placement, to the way your character can check mail is customizable.

There are 2 factions to choose from and the races for each all provide special skills unique to them: Alliance, made up of dwarves, gnomes, night elves, humans, and the draenei. Or Horde, with members from trolls, orcs, taurens, undead, and blood elves. Each faction is defending their homeland from various evils that roam the land.. While they are fighting to drive out the evils from their homelands, past differences have fueled the war between them. In many areas of World of Warcraft, players are pitted against each other in head to head combat. Players can choose a faction to gain access to the race they like, then depending on the race chosen, there are many classes that are options. The classes include, warriors, priests, mages, warlocks, rogues, hunters, palladins, shamans, and druids.

Aside from classes and factions, players are allowed to form communities called Guilds where they are allowed to have a special tabard showing their insignia, a guild only chat channel, and some other tools for managing and promoting guild members to higher status within the guild. There are also primary professions ranging from Blacksmiths, Leather Workers, Tailors, Alchemists, Miners, Herbalists, Skinners, Enchanters, and Jewel Crafters. Any race/class can be any two primary professions at once. Some races give natural bonuses depending on the profession to fit more in with the game lore and since the professions compliment each other, certain professions tend to be paired together.

Players can also pick all three secondary professions of First Aid, Cooking, and even Fishing! Don't let cooking and fishing fool you, being able to fish up a hard to find fish and having the skill to prepare it correctly can yield some great foods to eat that enhance your character's abilities.

If you want a game you can play a few hours at a time, when you have time, and want to interact with other players in real-time fantasy settings, this is your game.

PROS – Loads of endgame content for the power gamers out there once they reach max level.
CONS – Takes a lot of time if you wish to progress to endgame.