We were traveling in Ardenweald, the new area from the Alpha of WoW: Shadowlands, but we barely got to quest. The impressive visuals are to blame.
For several hours now, one can experience the third of four new areas on the Alpha server of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands. I, Cortyn from MeinMMO, actually wanted to take a close look at the story and write about it. But I could hardly do that. Ardenweald captivated me with its beauty.
What is Ardenweald? Ardenweald (or also Ardenwald) is the nature realm of the Shadowlands. Here, souls who felt particularly connected to the nature of their world, such as druids or hunters, end up. At the same time, Ardenweald is also a place of rebirth. Great nature spirits and powerful beings connected to nature arrive in Ardenweald after their death. The Night Fae ensure that the nature spirits are revitalized and one day reborn in their homeworld (such as Azeroth).
Impressive despite “old” graphics
Sure – the WoW graphics are not exactly state-of-the-art. Nevertheless, I found Ardenweald visually overwhelming. From the moment I arrived, I had no desire to immediately accept quests. Instead, I wanted to take my time to take in all the things this forest has to offer.
In the distance, the giant trees rise, their crowns intertwined in strange swirls. Everything is enveloped in cool, blue and purple hues. It appears enchanted and yet peaceful.
Similar to the night elves, the architecture is not built but seemingly grown and created through magic. Trees form the buildings, roots create walls and railings. This is strongly reminiscent of the structures of druids and night elves, but visually more impressive.
Many new creatures enchant
I also liked the story from the start, even though I have only completed the first few quests. I encountered two fairies who were apparently having fun decorating a Tirnenn (a kind of walking tree) while it slept. They gave him a beard and a hat and joyfully reveled in having played such a prank.
Because we helped with the prank, the fairy leads us to the first settlement, which is currently being attacked by Spriggans – rather destructive inhabitants of Ardenweald who create chaos and play significantly more brutal “pranks”. The graceful Sylvari suffer from this, who at first glance resemble “Satyrs in good”. Graceful and noble.
WoW veterans immediately recognize that the Sylvari use the skeleton of the Draenei and share some animations. However, since they move more like jumping or galloping, that takes a back seat. They appear strange, new, and interesting – like everything in this forest.
In the end, the fairy sends us in the direction of the first larger settlement and warns us to “stay on the path because there are many dangers.” A warning that one, of course, ignores as a WoW veteran. After all, 50 meters further down the road stands a Sylvari, shouting for help in panic. Her “grandma” is very weak and has been attacked by the hungry creatures of the forest. A typical job for aspiring heroes of Ardenweald.
Finding the grandma was not a problem, but as we approach her, she transforms into a wild predator. The Sylvari, when confronted with this deception, just grins widely at us as her disguise falls away – the woman is not real, but made up of three Spriggans stacked on top of each other who have assumed an illusion.
Over the course of nearly ten short quests, Blizzard manages to introduce four new species and gives us a rough impression of their behaviors and personalities. It does not feel overloaded but fits perfectly with the beautiful, foreign, and mysterious appearance of the forest.
Back to Fantasy – This has succeeded in Ardenweald
Anyone who thought that World of Warcraft had drifted too much into Sci-Fi with spaceships, light cannons, and cosmic conflicts might be pleasantly surprised by Ardenweald. This forest brings back the fantasy. One becomes immersed in a dark, mythical world with numerous new and interesting creatures.
For me, Ardenweald even overshadows the beauty of Suramar and that has been my absolute highlight so far.
If the story can keep up with the visuals of the area, it will likely become my favorite zone from Shadowlands – and probably yours as well.
