Warcraft II Geography: Tides of Darkness | Humans

[@Cyberdemon1542]

Heh, I thought I was the only one obsessed with this kind of continuity in World of Warcraft. I think part of the reason comes from the fact that WoW looks so different at first glance but once you look at the maps you begin to see similarities, and are compelled to find more. I also think that players want to believe that some of the old Warcraft feel is still intact in WOW, back when the game had a more simpler, more realistic feeling.. Beginning with Warcraft 3 there was a shift in the tone but to see small bits that survive from old Warcraft in WOW is quite refreshing. As wow progressed, it became more and more "epic" in every regard. The armor became spikier, with chainsaws coming out of your pauldrons, the music became more emotional and more vocal as opposed to instrumental, the colors became even more vibrant, the villains even more cartoony and so on. Warcraft 1 and 2 represents a time when things were simpler and maybe more realistic but there are still old bits that manage to survive such as the human music in Shadowlands, places like Crestfall, Hellfire Peninsula - which is very reminiscent of W2. The armor the human from W1 (the one eating chicken) is very reminiscent of the earlier kinds of epic armor you see in WOW, such as the Field Marshal's Aegis. Clearly fantasy but still looks like armor. Even in WOD, the Shadowmoon Clan are expanded upon in such a way that it feels like the Warcraft 1 temple was their main reference with its huge, monolithic structures and emphasis on early necromantic magic and the grave vocal music reminding me of the chant when you click the building. The Bleeding Hollow Clan village in Tanaan is how I imagine the clan's buildings looked like in W2. One fascinating case is Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans. In many ways, I see it as a transition between W2 and W3/Early WOW. It had a very gritty atmosphere but you can see the beginnings of things you see in early WOW such as Badlands, the war between Goblins and Gnomes, The Gryphon Aviary, which looks a lot like the one in Hinterlands. By early WOW I mostly mean Vanilla. Places like Shadowfang Keep and Blackrock Mountain remind me a lot of W2. They have a dark atmosphere but not in the Disney sense you see in Shadowlands but more gritty and realistic. I forgot where but in one of the BRM dungeons you can hear tortured prisoners moaning. Maybe you could make a few videos where you explore the stylistic changes in stuff like visuals and music and maybe how some small nuggets were preserved over the years.

[@ABuffWizard]

Thanks for the write up Cyber! I agree with you every step of the way. It's so interesting to see Warcraft morph and twist through every iteration (for better or for worse). I feel like the earlier you go the more honest the game comes across. There something about the original aesthetics and vibes that are really true to the fantasy. It runs thick in the medieval aspects, especially the soundtrack with the horns and Harpsichords. Modern WoW seems to suffer from (among a million other things) overdesign and a constant upping of stakes. I'd love to do a video about how certain melodies and themes have made it through the years. Stay tuned!

[@Cyberdemon1542]

@@ABuffWizard Yeah, it's interesting to see how it evolves but to my taste, Warcraft's become too disney. I found everything I wanted Warcraft to be in Warhammer Fantasy. I'm not saying Warcraft should be like WHF but in Warhammer Total War it feels like I am actually commanding a european army wearing period accurate equipment. I'm not sure when was the last time I saw actual ARMOR in Warcraft. I really wish they returned to the Warcraft 3 cinematic Footman style...

[@ABuffWizard]

Oh 100%. Plus Warcraft is derivative of Warhammer. I find the aesthetic of Warhammer to be a lot more grand and iconic as well.

[@Roof5tone]

These have held up surprisingly well. Even where things don't match up the 'spirit' of things are pretty on point!

[@jwentertainment2313]

This channel is certainly under-appreciated, i'll be your 111th subscriber.

[@ABuffWizard]

Thank ye kindly

[@Gboy86ify]

It's been 6 months. But it's felt like 3 years.

[@ABuffWizard]

At this rate, the next one won't be out for another decade!

[@DarkWolf958]

that was fun, high anticipate the beyond the dark portal missions. and the comparison of outland

[@SuperTed588]

The Buff Wizard has worked his powerful magics again!!! Great job mate, good to see Cho’gall make another appearance XD!!!

[@abdd.challab7700]

Such a blast to watch these videos. Their quality increaes as time goes on. Glad I discovered this channel literally 12 hours ago and I have already watched all videos and subbed

[@ABuffWizard]

Hey thanks man, that means a lot :)

[@vengeanceseville]

Can't get enough of "Anime Hero Lothar". Moar!

[@IronSven]

My man, I don't know how you don't have more subs. This deserves a lot more recognition!

[@riotdogtv6967]

Just discovered this channel! I've definitely been missing out. Great video and entertaining commentary. Keep it up.

[@morthim]

this is incredibly motivating

[@ABuffWizard]

Well thank you very much.

[@Carancerth]

Thanks dor the videos! The 2 last regarding geography was great ! ;) glad to discover fellow content creators for Warcraft lore ! =D

[@ABuffWizard]

Thank you kindly. Your content is fantastic, extremely high quality!

[@Carancerth]

@@ABuffWizard Thanks a lot mate ;) You won a new suscriber with your Warcraft geography! =D I will gladly follow other contents of this kind from your channel ! ;) Stay Buff my dear Wizard ! =D

[@ABuffWizard]

@@Carancerth you are too kind, my friend

[@Carancerth]

@@ABuffWizard Don't mind me ;p You're most welcome =D !

[@jmrexzar7123]

Beyone the dark portal please

[@ABuffWizard]

It’s next on the chopping block!

[@Swordart2022]

Great funny lore take.

[@ABuffWizard]

Thanks matey. Might see you in the barrens again sometime!

[@jessesturgeon5327]

I hope you get to Warcraft 3 eventually. I don't know why they changed the geography so much for that game. They moved Alterac and Aerie Peak, and made Lordaeron smaller seemingly for no reason.

[@1337skillz95]

Kept us waiting, huh?

[@ABuffWizard]

Would you like to know more?

[@1337skillz95]

@@ABuffWizard Yeah, you're not going to make us waiting another 6 months though are you?

[@ABuffWizard]

@@1337skillz95 certainly looks like it huh

[@SmolShippie]

WAIT, EXTRA HORDENALITY XDDD DID YOU MAKE UP A NEW WORD? XDDD

[@ABuffWizard]

Thanks for noticing!

[@SmolShippie]

@@ABuffWizard I had to replay that part like four times and turned on captions like HOLD ON THAT ISN'T A WORD XD