It seems that each expansion delivers smaller and smaller zones.
I love leveling through classic and BC because the zones feel so big, it feels like I’m actually adventuring.
Then again I am an altoholic, so most people might not care about this.
26 Likes
It’s just you. The zones have never been better.
1 Like
Smaller, more congested and more vertical. MoP and WoD are most likely my favorites when it comes to zones. Early zones were a bit too barren in some areas while Legion and onward have been a bit cramped.
18 Likes
Big open nothinig for the sake of it was not good IMO a’la TBC.
Classic was what it was because it was not an expansion, it was your core game that laid a ground work so the zones were bigger.
Now it’s each person does their own thing, congested and to make the most out of the smaller pixel space they confine themselves in.
I suspect next expansion will be 3 zones plus 1 end game zone at launch 
2 Likes
Depends.
BfA zones were actually quite large. Legion zones were very small.
I have no idea where Shadowlands zones fit in that context. But it doesn’t necessarily seem to be a trend other than a difference in design choice. Old school zones had a lot of buffer areas to translate from one area to the next, while new zones more abruptly translate from one zone to the next.
1 Like
Yes, it’s a conscious decision on Blizzard’s part. Saw a dev interview about it, the idea that every square foot of each zone is more “rich”.
I’m not convinced it’s the right move. Zones that aren’t much bigger than a shoebox aren’t as good at pulling you in, regardless of how detailed they are.
It kinda works in Kul Tiras because of how the island is laid out but I’d say it’s something of an exception to the rule. Broken Isles for example felt rather claustrophobic.
12 Likes
Someone said something that shadowlands zones are around the same size as the bfa zones. Don’t quote me on that.
The smaller the zones get the worse the terrain gets.
12 Likes
They might be getting smaller, but they’re also getting a lot more vertical.
6 Likes
Agreed. I think BFA zones were pretty good, but I really wish Blizz would go back to a landmass more similar to Pandaria in size, with the layer of depth and history Pandaria oozed.
11 Likes
zones are pretty small this time around indeed. even the maw without mount.
can walk from one side to the other quite fast.
probably because of covid and working from home or something?
(i know everyone’s sick n tired to hear that reasoning.)
1 Like
ive had a lot of fun wpvping in revendreth. levitating through the zone and mcing people off elevators 
1 Like
I dunno if the zones are smaller, but they certainly feel that way.
I think it is the number, and placement of, flightpaths…
I mean Revendreth seems to have a flightpath every two feet, usually with an elevator in between them. So all the vertical blocking of the zone is wasted, especially once you get the multiple toys that give you slowfall (or if you are just willing to burn gliders).
Though in the other zones there are areas without a FP, but you really never have to go there (like NW ardenweald, NE Bastion).
The only long rides seem to be the World bosses in Arden and Mald.
2 Likes
What is the “right” size for zones? If they can be too small, why can’t they be too big also?
Well, we have 5 zones in SL, and that’s if we count the Maw.
This is the smallest content of any expac.
Also consider that much of these exist as busywork, just places you run through from A to B.
3 Likes
Walking will make zones feel bigger.
2 Likes
RP walk to make your own content lol
5 Likes
Deadwind Pass and Quel’thelas . Alternatively, Vashj’ir
More seriously, MoP zones.
SL zones are bigger than most in Classic, and smaller than BC (And by extension WoD), but I felt like MoP hit both a size, and a richness density that worked very well.
4 Likes
Exactly. Getting around takes twice as long because it involves so much “find the ramp or elevator.” Thank goodness for Levitate and gliders. I suspect this was the reason for flight whistles.
4 Likes
wich is all nullified when flying is avaliable
so yeah they are indeed smaller
3 Likes