In the Venn diagram comparing WoW Classic and Lord of the Rings Online, there’s a large overlapping section that simply says “chill gameplay.” And that’s probably why I appreciate both titles: because they feed that need I have to slow down, drink in the game world, and focus on a long leveling journey with no rush to get to the top.
As Blizzard considers where to take WoW Classic in the future, I sincerely hope that the developers understand that it’s this chill vibe that is such a large part of the appeal of the original game — and to a declining extent, its first two expansions. Trying to cram faster progression, time-sensitive activities, and more busywork into this framework takes away what makes it special. So today I wanted to gush – no, drawl – about the laid-back feel of this legacy MMO.
The chill of nostalgia
There’s often slightly negative talk about all of the things WoW Classic can’t replicate due to the change in gaming culture and the passage of time. But I’ve almost never heard people laud one thing that WoW Classic can do that the original 2004 version can’t, which is to present itself as a nostalgic time capsule.
While nostalgia can be torturous and even counter-productive in certain situations, it can also reconnect us with our past and bring that past into our present in delightful ways. I am certain that I wasn’t alone in finding all sorts of core memories unlocked when I stepped into WoW Classic in 2019 and experiencing this version of the world that hadn’t existed in a decade.
The little dopamine drips of nostalgic rediscoveries continues through the entire leveling journey. Maybe it’s finding an old favorite vista, going through a notorious quest chain, or simply hearing the classic music and sounds. All of this is gradually presented, hitting different veteran players in different ways but producing a positive result. It’s kind of like going back through a photo scrapbook to refresh memories and smile at the good times.
The chill of your own pace
While there’s much I like and appreciate about retail WoW, I cannot say that it is a very chill game these days. It’s a version that’s always dumping more on your plate than you can feasibly accomplish and putting timers on weekly quests and objectives. And that’s not even mentioning people like content creators who are always making a big deal out of the things you have to do now and get done quickly. You have to be very, very intentional to go through retail at a relaxed pace (and yes, it can be done) because nobody else is here to help you do it.
That’s completely different than WoW Classic, which establishes a slow and measured pace from the start and doesn’t deviate. Everything is unhurried here. A single quest can take a good chunk of time to accomplish, maybe even over the course of several play sessions. Running places or taking the boats takes time. The leveling bar never seems like it’s in a rush to fill up completely.
And all of this game design turns us from sprinters into strollers. Sure, some people still try to speed-level and blitz through this game, and more’s the pity for them. But that’s not how Classic wants you to engage with it. This is an MMO that gives you permission to stop and smell the virtual flowers and never be in a rush to get somewhere.
The chill of no pressure
Outside of the modern community bringing its foibles and anxieties into this game, there’s almost never any pressure placed upon the player by the game itself. You want to hack away at a few low-level quests for completion’s sake? Go for it. You want to grind a camp of mobs, or take a session to work on your professions, or go roleplay in some tawdry tavern? You don’t have any place better to be than the place you choose to be.
Even when WoW Classic has holidays, it’s not shouting at you with frantic pop-up screens that you need to get on this ASAP. It’s an option. It’s there. Do it or don’t do it, you’re going to be fine either way.
Set your own goals. Pursue your own path. Choose which leveling zones suit your mood the most and ignore the rest. Get to level 60 or 70 in a year, if you don’t feel like hustling. It’s all good, because there’s really no pressure here.
Stepping back into the MMO time machine of WoW Classic, Justin Olivetti offers up observations and ground-level analysis as a Gnome with a view. Casually Classic is a more laid-back look at this legacy ruleset for those of us who’ve never stepped into a raid or seen more than 200 gold to our names.