Blizzard has just launched a new time-limited game mode for World of Warcraft, and it’s free to play. Blizzard’s iconic, storied MMO launched in the United States in 2004, and it has since become the genre’s game with the most active players, rivaled only by titles like Old School RuneScape and Final Fantasy 14. In its 22-year tenure, World of Warcraft has changed a lot, and aside from lore, the current retail version of the game is completely different from the old days.
Blizzard is now preparing to launch another version of the game, with WoW: Forever coming in just a few days, on November 4. This is an entirely different game based on the vanilla version of WoW, but still using character models and some features from retail. It focuses on horizontal progression and being a social-first MMO, which fans seem to enjoy. World of Warcraft: Forever has already nerfed its most-played class before launch, and it’s actively changing its races and systems, showing Blizzard is committed to making it as good as possible. Now, the retail version of the game is getting something special that changes its status quo.
New Official World of Warcraft Game Mode Introduces Three New Classes
Available now on the PTR for World of Warcraft‘s 12.1.7 patch, Talebound is an entirely new game mode with roguelike elements and three all-new classes to choose from. This means that players can’t use their existing characters. Talebound is free for all players, even those without an active subscription, and the demo runs from today, October 30, to November 1. The classes available with Talebound are the Inquisitor, the Witch, and the Slayer, all entirely new archetypes compared to retail classes in World of Warcraft. After completing an introduction, players can choose between Darkhaven, Greenthistle Wood, and Greywake’s Expedition as available tales, with a fourth being added when the mode officially comes out of PTR. Tales come with different enemies and mechanics to beat, and they have three difficulties (Normal, Veteran, Heroic). Dying or beating the final boss of a given Tale ends the run, but players can then start a new one immediately or whenever they feel like, losing only temporary boons.
It’s also worth noting that this is a different way to play World of Warcraft, as Talebound is an action-RPG with enclosed spaces more than an open-world with targeting, rotations, and the like. Players can use actions like double jump and dodge, and each class comes with unique abilities and talents. On top of that, players can retrieve relics to improve future runs, and they can play Talebound both solo and in co-op. Still, fans can unlock new cosmetic items for their World of Warcraft warbands, such as mounts, pets, transmog sets, titles, and even housing items.
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Speaking of housing, the new housing microtransactions in World of Warcraft‘s shop made many players upset, as they are quite expensive for a game that has paid expansions and a monthly subscription. Talebound doesn’t resolve or even address the issue, but hopefully, it will be a new way for players to interact with retail if they don’t love the game’s current direction.
Furthermore, Blizzard is expanding its horizons even more with a new crossover in November. D&D‘s World of Warcraft books will be released next week, bringing the world of Azeroth to a brand-new audience.
- Released
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November 23, 2004
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence (online interactions not rated)
- Engine
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Unreal Engine
