World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor

Game review by Michael Lafferty, Common Sense Media
World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Violent expansion manages to reinvigorate popular MMO.

Mac, Windows 2014
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Parents say

age 18+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 5 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor is the fifth expansion for the massively multiplayer online game. As it's an expansion pack, players will need all the other games in the franchise to fully access all the content the world of Azeroth has to offer. The game also requires an Internet connection and a monthly subscription fee to participate. In addition, there's an online store in which players use real-world money to purchase everything from items for mounts to the ability to level up characters. Violence is a key part of the game and is usually how quests are resolved. Players use a variety of weapons and special abilities to destroy creatures across the land and can dismember or blow up enemies. Players also can fight other players in special areas. Characters can get drunk, causing visuals to get blurry until they "sober up." Parents also should be aware that some characters can flirt and behave in a suggestive manner, with some female characters being scantily clothed. Words such as "ass," "bitch," and "bastard" are used by game characters, but, as this is an MMO, parents should know that there's lots of unmoderated commentary other players can provide during the game.

Community Reviews

desius
desius Adult
March 27, 2019
age 18+

Update for 2019: This is not the current version of the game

I just wanted to clarify for parents, that this version of World of Warcraft was the Warlords of Draenor expansion that was released in 2014. WoW in 2019 is a very different game, and if you want current reviews... you should look under World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth. I started playing WoW in 2007, and would currently NOT recommend it. See my review in Battle for Azeroth.

This title has:

Too much consumerism
Todd R.
Todd R. Adult
January 15, 2018
age 18+

Not for children

WoW is great fun for adults 18+, assuming you can limit your time in the game fantasy world and not become addicted to it, as millions do; but I can't imagine letting my kids play it. It's simply far too violent; and graphically violent, at that. It's not a sociopath training game, like Grandtheft Auto or Call of Duty: it's more like Lord of the Rings or classic Dungeons and Dragons - a classic fantasy adventure centering upon quests and battling monsters. But the violence makes it unsuitable to kids under 18, in my view. Mind you, much of what kids are watching and playing now, I don't think they should be watching or playing - and I feel very strongly about it. Kids are exposed to far too much violence via TV, video games and movies. Assuming you are playing for The Alliance, which is the loosely-speaking good faction, and not role playing a goblin warlock for The Horde, for example, feeding off the souls of the hated humans and summoning demons as helpers and friends, which seems more than a little twisted to me, World of Warcraft is a great game, if you're an adult (with a life outside the game world) - but it's not for kids, I would say. The main issue with kids playing any video game, to my mind, is, as with TV, smart phones, tablets and computers, how much time they spend staring into a screen, largely disconnected from the real world of lived experience. A one hour a day, or seven hour a week time limit should be strictly kept, I would urge. Kids and adults should read books, interact face to face with others, get outside, and stay physically active. But content is a serious issue, too. There is a difference between Dora the Explorer and Kill Bill. Some games, TV shows and films are suitable for kids. WoW is not one of them.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
See all 2 parent reviews

What’s It About?

In WORLD OF WARCRAFT: WARLORDS OF DRAENOR, the Iron Horde, a union of great orc clans, is on the march through Draenor. They pull war machines along and decimate all that stands in their path. If Draenor falls, then the lands of Azeroth will be next. Gameplay takes place in Draenor, which is accessed through a portal. Since all monsters and creatures there are level 90 and up, Warlords of Draenor allows players to level a character up to level 90 automatically to begin the quest and story lines. New to the game are garrisons, player-created fortresses that are totally customizable. There are seven new zones to explore, classic heroes and villains to meet, and new graphics and animations for the character races.

Is It Any Good?

World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor could be considered one of the best game expansions. It totally reinvigorates the WoW universe, creates excitement and challenge, and merges the history of the game with the foundations of a bright future. For players who enjoy the WoW mythos, be prepared for cut scenes that bring the story alive and teeter on the edge of jaw-dropping. Player-vs.-player fans will love the option to take on new 100-on-100 battles, which bring a massive amount of chaos and fun to combat. But the garrisons are the gem in this crown, and it's easy to drop a lot of real-world money into creating and customizing them.

If there is a downside to the game, it's that the garrison innovation can isolate the single player more from the mainstream-player community. Remember the days when auction houses in major cities were so overcrowded that it felt like wading through quicksand would be faster? Garrisons allow for auction houses, banks, stables, and vendors to be part of the player's fortress, so you no longer have to interact with these large crowds. Garrisons also require constant upgrades, so players may become hermits who only tend to their keeps. But player interaction, thanks to dungeons, is still a very viable part of the game, drawing many people to fight alongside others with a redesigned drop rate for rare items with common quest enemies. Overall, Warlords of Draenor increases the fun in WoW immensely and hits on all cylinders.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the impact of violence in games such as Warlords of Draenor. Do you need to use violence to resolve every quest? Should nonviolent solutions be available in the game, or would that not work in this combat-focused MMO?

  • Talk about Internet safety. How can you protect personal and account information from strangers?

  • Discuss responsible time limits on games. Why is it important to take time for real-world activities instead of sitting at a screen all the time?

Game Details

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