World of Warcraft: Midnight

I would rate my enjoyment of the time spent playing this expansion higher than I would rate the expansion itself. Blizzard’s newer approach to gearing and difficulty scaling made the game far more accessible for my group of friends, and I genuinely applaud that direction. It felt easier than ever to jump in together, make meaningful progress, and enjoy the game without the barriers that often pushed more casual players away in previous expansions.

That said, the actual content is just okay. As the season drags on, the game gradually becomes weighed down by an increasing number of currencies, progression systems, and layers of power creep that pull me away from the parts of the game I actually want to spend my time doing. Instead of feeling streamlined, progression eventually starts to feel bloated and exhausting.

Even with those frustrations, the game is undeniably a blast with friends. I got a solid three months of genuinely enjoyable gameplay out of this expansion, which is more than I can say for some recent releases. Unfortunately, I continue to hit the same wall of burnout once the seasonal systems and required upkeep begin to pile up.

(Just the leveling experience, only had an account for a month) Honestly, this one didn't grab me like The War Within did. I didn't love the story there either, and I find the whole thing with the void and Xal'atath to be a bore. But I really like dwarven stuff, and the Earthen being proto-dwarves are so much more up my alley. And I also love Nerubian stuff! It's like The War Within was made for me!

I never loved blood elves or trolls, so the focus of Midnight just don't speak to me. The game is fine, but I found myself kind of yawning through it. The only thing that I liked was the sib-plot of people turning towards fel magic due to fear of the void.

Oh and Silvermoon is still absolutely beautiful, and the music is great. I'll still play the leveling experience of whatever the next one is, since I have to finish the Worldsoul Saga.