Home > Reviews > PC > #157

Warcraft III: Frozen Throne (Expansion set) Review - PC

Several months have conceded since Archimonde and the Burning legion were conquered at the Battle of Mount Hyjal. The stalwart night elves, led by the Arch-Druid Malfarion Stormrage and the Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind, have disappeared back into the darkness of Ashenvale Forest; fixed on healing the ancient lands that were disfigured by the Legion's despicable corruption.

The battle-weary orcish Horde, led by the naive War chief Thrall, has matured in the unkind eastern hills of the Kalimdor Barrens. At long last able to assert a homeland of their own, the orcs work determinedly to establish and keep their new land of Durotar. The human survivors of Lordaeron, under the direct order of the Sourceress Jaina Proudmoore, have also established adequately along the eastern coast of the Barrens. The island citadel of Theramore was assembled to preserve the "ragtag" remnants of the deteriorating human Alliance.

And Arthas, the recently crowned king of Lordaeron, has focused the undead Scourge to destroy the last relics of resistance to his iron regime. His kingdom, the "once-proud" stronghold of human strength and goodness, has become a beleaguered dominion of death and distress. Now, driven by haunting visions of the Frozen Throne of Icecrown, Arthas plans to lighten his grip over the rest of the world. Still, one dark soul remains at large. For in some gloomy corner of the globe, the wayward being identified as Illidan Stormrage plots... and waits in silence.

Game Play

Frozen Throne is really more of the same. If you loved Warcraft III, This expansion is a must. It has an astounding storyline as revealed in the Introduction, which follows on from the epic Warcraft III which not only was a success, but was hugely anticipated with over 3.5 million pre-orders world wide. Blizzard Entertainment has gone all out to ensure that this expansion is not a disappointment, and they've done so in a superbly detailed manner.

After realising Frozen Throne is the same game play as it's successor, you'll quickly get into the storyline. Illidan and his "henchmen" (if you call those inhumane creatures henchmen) will harass your hero, Warden and your Tree of Ages, until defeat is undertaken by one periphery of the battle. You undertake the Night Elf Sentinels which are a prodigious race that highlights mobility, ranged firepower, and spell craft. They do not have the animal forte of other races, but their abilities with bow and magic more than counter weigh this flaw.

New features in Frozen Throne that deserve a mention include:

• A Backpack upgrade which allows certain non-Hero units to carry items. In addition, you can now sell items you don't want or need, to any item shop.
• A sophisticated Campaign Editor and World Editor.
• New Battle.net features - Clans, automated tournaments, improved custom game filters, and a smooth "matchmaking" attribute that allows chatting whilst looking for games.

The fighting in (continued next page)