I think I’ve gotten my ‘fix’ of WoW that I was after after giving this game a go. I don’t really think what makes any MMO is one that keeps people playing everyday - ultimately we have tons of content in our lives and it’s probably good that we split it between many forms of entertainment (as I say after a 8 hour session of Talisman at my friends house over beers and talk). I bought Shadowlands and a 6 month sub so I intend to still play this now and then but I’m definitely sated.
What I believe is good and better than what a lot of people might think:
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Forums - the forums aren’t bad at all. People disagree with you, but for the most part it is chill and people are largely amicable. As with any place there can be mistakes in moderation/etc but I wouldn’t call it a ‘crap heap’ or some kinda similar perception as some external sources made it out to be prior to me joining it.
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The core gameplay of WoW; I think WoW actually ticked a lot of gameplay boxes that I didn’t experience ever before. I think this is the ultimate hook and what still keeps people playing this game. I came from FFXIV for a break while I was waiting for Endwalker and there will be parts of it I will feel like coming back for. Dragon Kicking off a cliff and timing my fall perfectly is weirdly satisfying.
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The open world; how amazing that I can travel from Stormwind to just about anywhere on the Continent, whether through hostile or other territories. More than anything it is a real world with real enemies, many of which are players.
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Chat (outside of bots); people are a lot more open and frank about the game in both world chat and forums. Unfortunately some other players tend to have moderation to the extent of death.
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Addons; I can literally make the game I want it. From adding a gamepad to completely changing the UI to a story helper addon to a collector addon to a DPS meter to a dungeon helper to an DROP pickup optimiser (someone even thought of this). Every single thing you can imagine someone has thought of and made an addon for. We’re spoilt for choice.
What I’ve personally disliked:
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How disposable content is; it feels like WoW has about a billion raids and dungeons it could find a way to integrate player engagement into. Yet players are funnelled into a set of difficulties only pertaining to the current area. It feels like a lot of work is thrown away and I hope they can find a way to make them at some point relevant or just even get value from them again as a company.
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Community/friends is kinda small and there isn’t a natural bonding that can occur through meeting people. In both my games before this; Grand Fantasia and FF14 you might see someone on your Server (in my case Sanctum/Typhon) and you will see them around similar to like real life (they will logon to the same spot/region). Partying even using a random finder links you with people in your world and you bond with people you level together with. I’ve levelled 2 characters to 60 and one to 48 and during random dungeons it’s always different people. Korthia dailies it’s always randoms. Guilds and discords seem to be the ‘best’ way but other games have mastered this better. There is no ‘guild hub’ or house either so it’s at best partying and meeting in Oribos.
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Not enough ‘fun’ content that you can use to progress your character. I felt for a bit that I’m on to do dailies, and then maybe progress in raid or mythic plus (or PvP for those who like it). There isn’t a hangout spot and i can’t do say ‘fun fishing expeditions’ that will actually give me and a bunch of randoms a ton of experiences. The anniversary events have been incredibly fun though!
Anywho this is just my small take - although maybe I won’t be here as often I hope to continue to enjoy the game every few weeks. 