World of Warcraft: Cataclysm: Azeroth's Makeover

by Nick Kolan - IGN.com | 15 July 2010 12:00
 
A look at some of the changes Azeroth has undergone.
 
If you have had even a passing interest in World of Warcraft in the last year, then chances are that you're aware that Blizzard's next expansion for the monumental MMO will take players back to where it all began, and will change Azeroth's landscape for good. We've already looked at playing as a brand new Goblin character, and even had a look at the new Worgen race, but what about the land itself? Just what havok has Deathwing's awakening caused? We outline some of the largest and most intriguing changes to Azerorth surface.
 

Starting on the eastern continent, we visited everyone's favorite jungle, Stranglethorn Vale, where a massive, swirling whirlpool has opened up in the ocean.
 

Further north, the Badlands, one of World of Warcraft's plainer zones, has been torn asunder by Deathwing's fury. This is probably the most evident example of the power of the black dragon, and has turned the otherwise dull desert into a far more visually interesting zone.
 

Loch Modan may have to change its name, as the lake it's famous for has almost entirely vanished. The dam has been broken, and the wetlands have become a whole lot wetter.

To the east now stands an enormous tower that pulsates with whirling energy – obviously a structure under the control of the Twilight's Hamme, who are major players in Cataclysm. The structure stands at the border of the Twilight Highlands, a new zone that runs along the eastern coast of the Eastern Continent, making it the most eastern thing ever.
 

Much of Menethil, meanwhile, is underwater. Whatever force wrecked the dam also swung around to take out the town.
 

Southshore, on the other hand, was thrashed by a known quantity – the Forsaken.
 

 
Since Wrath of the Lich King, Sylvannas's own brand of zombies have really come into their own, and almost every single undead settlement has gone from being a shambled village to an apothecary's mecca.
 

 

Along the north of the continent, Western Plaguelands, once a miserable location filled with diseased bears itching to chase low-level undead halfway across the map, is seeing something of a civilized revival. The humans are moving in and rebuilding their farms, and the Ruins of Andorhal are slowly being reinhabited.
 

Across the ocean, in Kalimdor, things are just as interesting. Darkshore has been weathered by the elements – literally. Another swirling vortex of water is found here, with rivers flowing inland towards the whirlpool.
 

Further south, a whirlwind sends trees into the air.
 

Futher south still, the Master's Glaive is undergoing a transformation. The mysterious remains are being excavated and reassembled, and the results are awesome.
 

Ashenvale is now home to an enormous volcano, and atop it sits an elite fire elemental, who really loves yelling things.
 

 
To the east is Azshara which, for all intents and purposes, is unrecognizable from its vanilla incarnation. On one side of the zone is an enormous goblin head, while on the other is an enormous cannon…with a goblin head. Three guesses as to which race controls this zone!
 

The Stonetalon Mountains have also undergone some drastic changes, the most impressive of which is the giant mound of magma slowly seeping up and into the Charred Vale. At least now it is actually charred.
 

Remember Desolace? Probably not, because no one liked going there! It was grey, flat, and filled with lizards and centaurs. It was also home to a cool instance that spanned far too many levels. Now, smack-bang in the middle of the zone, is a giant Cenarion outpost, with neutral questgivers and a merciful break from all the grey.
 

The Barrens – by far the largest zone in the original World of Warcraft – has been split in twain. A giant, molten valley separates the lower-level horde-centric zone from the new mid-level contested area to the south.
 

The huge crack terminates where Ratchet stands--…err…stood. Where's Ratchet now? We're not entirely sure. UPDATE: We found Ratchet. It's where it has always been. We just suck.

The cliffs along the edge of the Shimmering Flats to the eastern edge of Thousand Needles has cracked wide open, and the entire zone is now flooded. Luckily, the Tauren atop the zone's characteristic stone pylons have remained relatively unharmed.
 

Though they now have some guests. Some twilight guests. From the Twilight's Hammer. If you know what I mean.
 

The Goblins who owned and controlled a little racing venture in the center of the Shimmering Flats (now the Shimmering Deeps) are still around too – they've just had to shift their business model.
 

Goblins have had it pretty rough it seems, because along the coast of Tanaris to the south, the little settlement known as Steamwheedle Port has also slipped beneath the sea, and stranded some Goblins in the process.
 

Finally, at the very bottom of Kalimdor lies the gates of Uldum. Currently, Uldum is off-limits, and invisible walls surround the zone on every side, but with some "clever use of in-game mechanics," we finagled our way inside. Uldum is impressive, and filled with many very intriguing set pieces.
 

Of course, much, much more has been changed in Cataclysm, and with the ability to fly in Azeroth, there are loads of little Easter eggs to find throughout the world. Many of the areas between zones house little secrets, but we don't want to spoil them for you.
 
For many more screens, including loads of Uldum, check out our WoW screenshots page. For further coverage of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, keep checking IGN.
 
Supplied by IGN.com