Dragonflight’s weakest link is World of Warcraft’s previous expansions

World of WarcraftDragonflightFans have been enjoying the new expansion since its release in the wild at the beginning of November 2022. It’s fun and wholesome to have a new dragon friend who carries you across the epic expanses of the mysterious and vibrant Dragon Isles. Everything feels more alive with the changes in crafting professions and player hubs. However, your current antagonist is many leagues ahead. Shadowlands’ surly, enigmatic Jailer, and fans are excited for the next updates.

There’s just one problem clinging to Dragonflight, and it’s World of Warcraft’s past. After nearly 20 years, the game’s picked up a fair amount of narrative baggage. Some of the game’s messy storylines have been resolved, and some of them have been gracefully retconned. However, its legacy is still very much alive. Dragonflight.

Azeroth: BattleAnd ShadowlandsThe two previous expansions were plagued by major issues. Sylvanas Windrunner, an old favorite, managed to grab the plot, and then sprint through several extremely poor decisions. The Night Elves massacre, the genocide, was committed by her, and she made a deal to join the Mega Devil in Super Hell. It was a long book. SylvanasChristie Golden to create her character’s arc Coherent, let alone captivating.

Image: Blizzard Entertainment

Sylvanas’ plot took players on a merry chase through the realm of death, where we learned more about the cosmic forces that rule the multiverse. The NPC team of heroes, who help to run Azeroth’s shows around Azeroth determined that everything was fine and that peace can begin. This set the stage for events that would follow. DragonflightThe more relaxed storyline of ‘The Gamer’ and its emphasis on providing players with a third place to relax is reflected in ‘The Gamer’. Problem is, the Players of Azeroth haven’t come to the same decision, as the story doesn’t really come to a satisfying conclusion.

Many Alliance players are still haunted by the horrible experience of trying unsuccessfully to evacuate Teldrassil and leaving behind innocent Night Elves to die. Some Horde players don’t regret anything; they just wish that they had burned more cities. This, by itself, isn’t a flaw; it makes sense that in a vast world (of Warcraft) people would have varying ideas and ethics. But there’s no real way to express a more nuanced range of reactions through the mechanics; Dragonflight’s narrative shoves these conflicts into the closet and gingerly closes the door. Pay no attention to the last few years of narrative, please, it’s Fine. It’s fine. All are Fine.

However, the big-picture metaphysical plots and cosmic world-building continue to move forward. The In LegionFans wept as they said farewell to Ysera, the Dreamer, the Aspect, the Green Dragonflight. She was eventually able to reach the Shadowlands where she was bound for Ardenweald. This is an afterlife reserved for strong nature spirits. We are In DragonflightPlayers bring her back to Azeroth through a confused metaphysical ritual. This shunts Night Elf leader Malfurion stormrage to Ardenweald.

Image: Blizzard Entertainment

Enjoying a lengthy-running story like this is part of the fun World of WarcraftTrust is key. There needs to be a sense of trust in the writers, that Chekhov’s guns on the mantle will go off at the right time and longtime characters will continue to follow their core motivations. World of WarcraftThis character is close to two decades old. There have been plots since the beginning. LegionThis is more than half a decade. There’s a very real investment here. Ysera’s storyline, so far, is the first sign that something might be going wrong. She had a tragic send-off, a glorious rebirth, and now… she’s back, again! Why? Why? While it may pay off in the end, at this point it makes it seem like it’s undoing what would otherwise be an unforgettable character arc.

So far Dragonflightit is (mostly), very well written. Raszageth Storm-Eater, our first raid boss. DragonflightAlready has more clear motivations than the others and is more prominent in the story. Shadowlands’ Jailer ever did. Fun is had by all, especially when the different dragons get into a family drama. It is also great to spend time with Centaur or Tuskarr. But for now, I’m still concerned, waiting for the other shoe to drop. It’ll take some time for World of WarcraftI will be able to regain my complete trust. We’ll have to see how the rest of DragonflightPlays out and sets the stage for the next adventure.