There are too many things to even call out, but a few folks have provided answers.
It’s that Classic is a game. Retail is a group of various subsystems that don’t form a cohesive whole.
2 Likes
Retail feels like I’m checking off boxes on a weekly to-do list.
Classic makes me feel like I’m actually playing a game.
I feel more immersed leveling 1-15 and running from Goldshire to Westfall in Classic than I do in the entire Retail game, endgame included.
5 Likes
A community feel for the most part and a slower steady pace. Since leveling your character and professions takes time and effort, there is more of a connection to each character and your server. The game is more friendly for solo play too in terms of what you can accomplish in it (outside of raids).
In retail, the game is mostly tied to raiding, M+ and PvP. If you are in an active guild then for the most part you can plan and do the endgame content. If not ,then you are forced to go through the nightmarish route of pugging. Outside the odd M+, this ends up being a bad time for the majority of players.