Considering the less-than-steller story it was backed into, they did alright with the cinematic.
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I absolutely loved the cinematic! Thought it was a great metaphor for the passing of the torch from old Blizzard’s WoW ethos to the modern team’s. Was great to see the call back to the Fall of the Lich King cinematic and to let Anduin gain some closure for the deaths of his father figures. Was really empowering to see him overcome the same domination/magic that Arthas couldn’t.
And Sylvannas’ monologue was really powerful. Her coming to terms with the fact that she ended up being no better than what she hated. Especially loved that her dialogue seemed to echo this passing of the guard from old Blizzard to new, and in a way that clearly condemns the horrible things that they’ve done.
As for Arthas, I love his character, but they have said many times that Shadowlands is the final chapter in that era of Warcraft. We’re now heading into territory with the story that will allow the writing team to really flex their muscles and create something fresh.
I’d also like to say, since expectedly, people are losing their collective minds over this, that Arthas returning was never really hinted at, let alone promised. We saw him briefly in one cinematic before the launch of the game. That was, as we now know, setting up the fact that they used Arthas’ soul to craft Anduin’s mourneblade. There was nothing in the remained of the xpac pointing to the return of Arthas. And if he did return, it wouldn’t make sense for the story, his character, or for the future trajectory of the game.
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Yeah, I get the impression there is a meta conversation rooted in New Blizz vs Old Blizz, and ho boy is that a bad road to take.
I loved Saurfang and Varian appearing. Seems Saurfang had a bigger weight on Anduin than I thought, and I liked that. This was all amazing.
Didn’t like the Arthas part. Not because he didn’t appear, but because of “be forgotten”. Understandable in game and coming from Sylvanas. But many people love Arthas. I feel almost as I felt with Garrosh, badass cinematic, but seeing them gone for good felt sad, as they are iconic, very iconic warcraft characters.
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I agree here, the cinematic scene was excellent in my opinion and a lot better take on a iconic character. I thought the conclusion on Arthas was what is needed.
It was emotional and sad on what became of him and better then bringing him back. He didn’t die like a hero and he didn’t die like a villian.
I really thought the idea of his soul being drained to near nothing was a great take and different and I actually liked it to be honest.
It was also great seeing Sylvanas admit she became what she hates which happens in life.
Over all I liked it, it was simple but exceptional and it wasn’t expected. Made you feel sorry for Arthas and all the suffering he caused in Azeroth.
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Well to be fair it was some of the worst writing I have ever seen.
Bad doggie!
It was BEYOND bad.
I think it’s handled extremely well, and is my favorite cinematic since the death of Ysera.
It had all of the right people in the right place; the voice acting of Sylvanas is tremendously good, and it is well written. It gives actual closure to Sylvanas; she retains her edge with her final comments of never being remembered, but it helps her understand what she has done after being somehow oblivious to it all, it gives her the satisfaction of seeing Arthas truly end, which she never got in WOTLK, but rather than being vengence, it’s almost of pity and disregard. Uther gets to experience even more regret over Arthas. Jaina perhaps gets a little bit short-changed, but it has been 20-30 years so her superficial fling doesn’t matter at this point.
I personally don’t think Saurfang and Varian were needed there, but it’s Shadowlands, so whatever.
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Why only now is Varian showing up if he could? Why Saurfang and not anduins mother make an appearance?
Why a blue fart cloud getting a dialogue from one we have heard enough from rather then himself or closure to jaina and Uther?
Why is this considered respecting an important lore character that got many many players into playing this game after living his life in warcraft 3?
Will Goku find the final dragon ball? Find out on the next episode of dragon ball z!
“People trash it on these sites and they’re legitimate, but that site over there that disagrees with me is a hive mind”
What a way to guarantee validation.
First of all it was a cutscene not a cinematic. And the anduin part was fine, it was the rest of it that was bitter.
We killed him 12 years ago , he has been irrelevant ever since .
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Exactly. Moving on from Wc3 is what WoW really needs to be something new.
They straight up told people in interviews that any emphasis on arthas would be about the shadow he left behind and the people he’s affected.
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Twittzard or Wokezzard did arthas that way because he represents toxic white male oppression and sylvanas was a victim of a males world. If you go visit enough of these blizzard’s employees twitters, you can see exactly why the game and story is the way it is and will continue going.
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The dude killed his own dad my guy. I know your post isn’t in good faith but Arthas is a poster child of “don’t do this” even in a very honorable and masculine world lol.
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facts, hence why they shouldnt have even bothered including Arthas in this, but they hit the Arthas button and now the fan is blowing the content of a Buffalo’s backside into Blizzard’s face. personally i expected Arthas to be straight up DE’d by the Jailer, and he was, now the simps are mad that mr. “did nothing wrong” was told that he would be forgotten because he was evil.
lol pretty sure Anduin’s mom was never his real mom, she probably died giving birth to him.
whatever happened to sylvanas killing hundreds of thousands due the burning of the teldrasil tree oh yeah its ok she gets a pass, but arthas ? 35 anima gos puf lol.
my rage is unquenchable …
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who says she’s getting a pass? for all you know she’s gonna be executed when we are done with the Jailer.
Plenty of reasons to dislike the cinematic. It’s touching yes but that’s about it. Narratively it doesn’t make sense, and it’s just a pattern from WoW narrative lead designer trying to prove something. I’ll just post my Wowhead response… Not going to lie Steve Danuser is terrible at storytelling, the scene is wonderful and touching. But narratively it doesn’t make sense, Sylvanas has no right to judge Arthas for what he has done knowing Arthas was a slave to the Jailer this whole time, did equal or more damage, and has a higher body count than him (Arthas). This whole scene would have been better IF Jania was the one saying Sylvanas lines, and Sylvanas was the one asking"Is this all that remains of him?" realizing that it could have been her in Arthas place if she stuck with the Jailer… Jaina saying Sylvanas lines is more touching in my opinion since Jaina had more of a history with Arthas. Jaina saw Arthas become that monster while blaming herself as Uther did, while Jaina saying those lines Sylvanas would have time to think about all the crimes she had done while listening to Jaina speaking to Arthas and as soon as Jaina would have said “Begone then Arthas, may the last whisper of your name fade and be forgotten” Would slap Sylvanas hard and realizing she has to atone all the misdeeds she has done or else like Arthas her name will be forgotten even by the very people she cared for in life The Sin’dorei and in death The Forsaken.
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