The cinematic trailer of World of Warcraft Shadowlands was quite epic. However, not everyone sees it that way – it is rather one of the less popular trailers from Blizzard.
A few days ago, the first big cinematic for the upcoming WoW expansion “Shadowlands” was presented. It featured the battle between the current Lich King Bolvar and Sylvanas Windrunner. She defeats the Lich King and takes his crown. Instead of putting the crown on, she shatters it and tears apart the veil that separates Azeroth from the Shadowlands.
However, the community is divided. While a large part celebrates the cinematic and its story, some fans view it critically and find the video silly.
Many thumbs down on YouTube: The divided fan reaction can be most clearly seen on YouTube. Those who watch the English cinematic for “Shadowlands” will notice that nearly a quarter of all ratings are thumbs down. For about 93,000 “thumbs up”, there are over 31,000 “thumbs down” (as of: 04.11.2019, 6:00 AM).
This cannot be explained by a general “anti-Blizzard” sentiment that arose from the Blitzchung incident. For comparison: The “Diablo IV” cinematic has only about 6% thumbs down.
What displeases the viewers so much? A look into the comments quickly reveals what part of the audience dislikes. In summary, the criticism can be broken down into a few points:
- Sylvanas is far too prominent and appears repeatedly.
- The Lich King is actually much stronger, Sylvanas should not win so easily.
- The cinematic looks like the fan fiction of a child.
I want to address these points – because I simply do not share that view.
Sylvanas is permanently present
This is at least a point that I can fundamentally understand. Since “Legion”, Sylvanas has appeared in all three opening cinematics. I can still understand that many are not pleased, even though Sylvanas’ role has changed over the years.
In Legion, Varian was the center of the cinematic. Sylvanas symbolized the Horde and the necessary alliance to fight against the Legion. She aided Varian in battle, but the focus was on Varian, his heroism, and his very emotional “drowning” scene.
In Battle for Azeroth, Sylvanas is more prominently featured. She defends Undercity, leads the troops, and has a cool appearance where we see her new “Banshee form” for the first time. However, here she is more of an inspiring character, with the focus on a huge battle.
Now, in Shadowlands, Sylvanas along with Bolvar is the main attraction of the cinematic. She sets in motion the steps that lead to the main story that guides us through Shadowlands.
The Lich King is actually much stronger
I find this criticism particularly nonsensical.
No question, the Lich King is a powerful being. However, it is by no means the same being that Arthas was back then. Even though Bolvar was certainly an important, powerful character, he is not comparable to Arthas. Not least because he does not possess the sword Frostmourne.
Frostmourne was one of the most powerful weapons that ever existed. It was more than anything else the source of Arthas’ power and is something that Bolvar simply could not rely on. The runeblade became more powerful with each soul it consumed and in the end, it was so strong that its shattering allowed Arthas to be defeated.
Bolvar does not have that. Over the years, Bolvar’s power as Lich King, through the Helm of Domination, has mainly ensured that the Scourge remains in check. Although he has changed steadily and become “darker” and more powerful, to the point where in Legion he was even able to exert influence over the Death Knights.
But he is not Arthas.
On the other hand, Sylvanas has gained power, and that for quite some time. Since she became a Banshee and reclaimed her body, she has been working to become more powerful. She is far more than a “undead ranger”, and this transformation did not happen spontaneously. It has primarily taken place during Battle for Azeroth but was initiated by gaining the Val’kyr during Cataclysm. Every death in this war has increased her power as she is allied with the “Jailer”.
Although we do not know the exact extent of this pact between Sylvanas and the Jailer, the connection is clear: more deaths, more souls for the Maw, more power for Sylvanas.
Many still associate the Lich King with that untouchably powerful figure from “Warcraft 3” or “Wrath of the Lich King” – but he is no longer that. So if he is defeated by Sylvanas, then from my perspective, it is only one thing: fitting to the current situation of both characters.
The battle as fan fiction – is that fair?
Especially the criticism regarding the “fan fiction” made me smile because I understand the basic thought. And of course, such a thing can easily be supported when summarizing the plot in the “typical” overzealous writing style of a younger fan, packaged in a silly way:
- Sylvanas goes to Icecrown, but the undead retreat before her because they are afraid.
- Bolvar sits on the throne, the glowing red wounds turn blue as the Helm of Domination is activated.
- Sylvanas kills over 100 of Bolvar’s servants effortlessly and without receiving a scratch!
- Bolvar uses “the power” to throw rocks at Sylvanas. Sylvanas dodges two of them and shoots the third rock with an arrow!
- Then Bolvar uses the Eternal Winter and attacks Sylvanas from the icy blizzard, but she keeps dodging.
- A rock comes out of the foggy ice and hits Sylvanas!
- Haha! Sylvanas survived, she was just in her smoke form! Now chains come from her arrows and with a jerk, she tears a rock wall apart and hurls the rock at Bolvar!
You can see – if one wants, one can describe the story in a silly way. But if we are honest, this applies to all WoW cinematics.
But here is the simple answer: This is not fan fiction. This is Warcraft in its essence, and it always has been.
Throughout its history, Warcraft has had significant, epic battles where individual characters shape the fate of the world and cause devastating consequences for entire realms. Whether that was Arthas, who put on the helm of Ner’zhul in Warcraft 3, or the Titan Sargeras, who rammed a gigantic sword into a planet.
Warcraft lives from these moments that are so much larger. In the universe of Warcraft, these “hero” characters exist who are far more powerful than any other being, any player character, and certainly more than any average peasant. In Warcraft, the sheer power of one of the great heroes can exceed a “normal” human by a hundred or a thousand times.
Of course, this is illogical when placed in “real relation”. But Warcraft was never “real” nor did it have real standards that relate to humans in our world. Therefore, I find it strange to criticize this now in the franchise.
Conclusion – I find the criticism not well-founded
Honestly, I can only understand the criticism here to a very limited extent. The trailer is basically what happens at Blizzard nearly all the time and for which they are loved. A grand, emotional battle with an exciting twist that is almost perfectly staged. To me, it seems that some fans simply do not like the development of the characters and especially the prominence of Sylvanas. She is indeed a driving force in the current WoW universe.
I was quite impressed by the trailer and the anticipation for the expansion is great. Although we still have to wait and see if the gameplay can keep up – but I have no complaints about the trailer. It embodies the typical Blizzard quality with goosebumps-inducing atmosphere and a moment that takes your breath away. Because who among us did not think for a moment that she would put on the helm and become the “Lich Queen”?
How do you see all this? Do you understand the criticism of the trailer? Or are you satisfied with it?
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