World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
By Michael Lafferty,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
New races, solid story infuse more life into WoW.
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World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
Community Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Update for 2019: This is not the current version of the game
Ok
What’s It About?
In WORLD OF WARCRAFT: CATACLYSM, the ancient and dark power known as the dragon Deathwing has risen and is flying across the lands of Azeroth laying destruction in its wake. The Alliance and Horde must put aside differences and battle to vanquish the threat to their lands; if one faction falls, the other most certainly will. Cataclysm is an expansion to World of Warcraft, the most popular MMO in video-game history. It offers two new races (goblin for the Horde and worgen, or werewolf, for the Alliance), new beginning territories, and more content for upper-level players. There are five new high-level zones packed with quest lines to draw players deeper into the lore of the game. By playing, players become stronger as reflected in their level, and this expansion raises the previous player level cap of 80 to 85.
Is It Any Good?
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm infuses a bit of new life into World of Warcraft. The new races have strong backstories, and the game has done a good job of making some elements (like explaining spells and what they do) to newer players. The face of the world has changed, offering a new dynamic that could challenge players. The game is not hard to pick up and play, but it can be a bit hard to put down and walk away from. The community is solid and the story arcs are well done. Cataclysm offers new challenges and does what a solid expansion should do -- build on the existing world and challenge established players but also give new entertainment and challenges to newcomers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about responsible online behavior and how to stay safe in an online gaming environment.
Discuss how to handle the violence of games and stop it from seeping into the real world.
Talk about tow to put limits on game-playing hours to maintain a healthy lifestyle without feeling consumed by a game.
Game Details
- Platform: Windows
- Subjects: Language & Reading : following directions, reading comprehension, text analysis, Social Studies : power structures, the economy
- Skills: Collaboration : cooperation, teamwork, Communication : conveying messages effectively, friendship building, Thinking & Reasoning : decision-making, making conclusions, problem solving
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
- Release date: December 7, 2010
- Genre: Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG)
- ESRB rating: T for Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Last updated: August 30, 2016
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