Cortyn has extensively played Patch 9.1 and finds: This is a really good WoW update – unfortunately, it’s too late.
Even though there is a lot of complaining going on about World of Warcraft: I think that Patch 9.1 Chains of Domination is quite well done. The currently available content is enjoyable to me. I have unlocked the “Chest of Countless Things” in Torghast with four characters, am playing the assaults in the Maw, and meanwhile I am waiting in Korthia for the one rare mob that I still need for today. Tazavesh is ready to go, and Sylvi wants to hand out a beatdown in the Sanctum of Domination.
Or in other words: I currently have plenty to do in WoW.
The only problem I have is the timing of the patch’s release, as it comes many months too late. This has become a well-known issue and is probably clear to anyone who has been following World of Warcraft to some extent. But the fact that this long content drought has worn down the community can still be noticed now.
Whether in the official forums or in the World of Warcraft subreddit – a lot of criticism is being voiced. The content is said to be boring, there is so little to do each day, there are annoying bugs, and somehow it’s all just the same as before, only everything is much smaller.
It’s exhausting to deal with this. I’ve turned my back on some chat channels and have also said goodbye to several Discord servers where negativity prevails.
It’s exhausting when you enjoy something, but there are one or two people everywhere trying to convince you that it can’t possibly be enjoyable.
Yes, Korthia is not a fully independent area, but just a somewhat larger subsection of the Maw. However, Korthia is quite packed with numerous rare enemies, hidden treasures, and a lot of toys.
Blizzard seems to have learned from the disappointing N’Zoth areas of Patch 8.3. The treasures are more interesting, there are plenty of mounts, and a few little surprises.
Especially cool: There is even almost a second dimensional layer (the Rift), where more treasures and toys can be found. The Rift even covers the entire “old” Maw and holds a few more surprises.
That’s enough for me for the moment. It’s not as abundant as Mechagon and Nazjatar in one patch – but it’s something new. New goals to work on and plenty of cosmetic stuff that I want.
Flying comes too late – Does anyone still need that?
Anyone who knows me knows that I generally don’t consider flying to be that important. I still believe that most areas reveal their beauty primarily when experienced from the ground.
Nonetheless, I can enjoy flying. It’s a nice bonus, but it also takes away a bit of the tranquility. Flying makes you faster and more efficient, but also more rushed. At the same time, I’m glad because I can complete many tasks faster and thus have more time for other things.
But not this time. There is very little that will draw me back to the old areas.
I have already completed all the world quests dozens of times and have collected enough anima to buy the rewards I wanted. It would be hard to motivate me to farm anima for days again when I can get it on the side in Korthia without much effort. I have also collected all the Paragon rewards except for one item from the Kyrian. There is simply no reason to continue doing world quests – even for a collection freak like me.
For leveling twinks, flying is quite nice, of course. But to be honest: I’ve already rushed through all the classes I want to play in the Shadowlands. We had enough time for that.
Too little, too late – But I like it!
If Patch 9.1 Chains of Domination had come a few months ago, it would have been a really good and fulfilling update for Shadowlands. Now it’s just a small appetizer that, while on par with the previous (very good) Shadowlands experience, cannot satisfy hunger for long. Already after less than a week, the first players reach the point where they no longer need to farm certain creatures because everything of value has already been looted.
I can only hope that Tazavesh, the Sanctum of Domination, and the Adamant Vault keep me motivated long enough. The World First race will surely be interesting again and excite fans all over the world. Currently, it’s hard not to be pulled down by the negativity in parts of the community.
I am having fun, but it’s difficult to “play against the bad mood”.
All I can do is hope that the Sylvanas drama that awaits us tomorrow doesn’t make everything even worse.
