Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Review

8.6

Format PC

Developer Blizzard Entertainment

Publisher Sierra

Genre Sim / Strategy

PC Zone discovers that you can't beat a frozen throne on a hot summer's day

When Blizzard Entertainment produces an expansion pack it's usually done properly. Over the years Warcraft, Starcraft and Diablo II have all been blessed with superb add-on packs; Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne now continues that trend in glorious fashion.

This 26 mission continuation of the number one fantasy RTS on the PC offers more of everything in every department. There are more units per faction (with a particular focus on spell casting and aerial units), there's more graphical variety in the landscapes, the maximum army size has increased and the hero limit is now four instead of three. And of course, there's more of that epic story...

Demon Gameplay
Events in The Frozen Throne take place several months after the defeat of Archimonde and the Burning Legion at Mount Hyjal. The latest twist concentrates on the nefarious intentions of the deceitful half-demon Illidan and the death knight Arthas and their mission to overthrow the shattered tribes of Azeroth and claim the scarred world as their own.

The campaign allows you to control three races. You start as the Night Elf Sentinels, then move on to the Human Alliance before finally taking over as Arthas and his Undead Horde.

Curiously, there is no significant Orc chapter to the campaign; however there is a short Diablo-esque RPG bonus campaign where you control a half Orc, half Ogre Beastmaster as well as a kind of half Orc, half Rastafarian shaman known as a Shadow Hunter.

Level design is enormously varied. The hero-based action sequences of the kind mentioned above are frequent and make for refreshing diversions from the usual base-building/busting exploits. But even slow-burning, resource focused levels contain more fleshy mini-quests than Warcraft III.

The great thing is you're constantly encouraged to try out new heroes and their special abilities. The Night Elf hero Maiev for example has the ability to 'blink' meaning she can reach previously inaccessible parts of the map in order to search for mana/gold/health and other useful bonuses.

Sea Monsters
The introduction of new buildings is another huge gameplay improvement. You can now hire mercenary units such as Giant Turtles and Orc Hermits from outposts dotted around the landscape. And for the first time ever in Warcraft III boats are available. OK, with just two nautical units to choose from, it's not exactly Rise Of Nations, but what the hell - it's naval combat, sort of.

And to round things off, frequent visitors to Battle.net will be delighted to hear that the whole multiplayer aspect has been radically overhauled. New skirmish maps, clan options and tournaments are there for your never-ending pleasure.

The only downside in what is clearly a work of sublime beauty is the 20 price tag. But you get what you pay for, and with this you are getting an awful lot, so ultimately it's more than worth it. In short, your copy of Warcraft III is not complete until you get The Frozen Throne. It really is that good.

Keith Pullin