It is no secret that the launch ofWarcraft 3 Reforgedwas less than stellar. The game paled in comparison to the original, it was marred with bugs on launch, and was lacking in numerous areas. It was not the grand return ofWarcraft 3that fans were hoping for, and it was made worse by the fact that it replaced the original game. While Blizzard has been slowly fixing many of its bugs,Warcraft 3 Reforgedis still far from the game players wanted, but maybe a relaunch could help.
Warcraft 3 Reforgedwas very controversialat launch and barely anyone talks about it three years later. The fan base has moved on, and the studio has released a plethora of other exciting games since. However,Warcraft 3is still a fantastic game, and a remastered version could help shine a light on this classic RTS once more.Warcraft 3 Reforgedmay have failed to deliver on that promise, but that does not mean it should be forgotten. Instead, Blizzard should do all it can to reinvent the title, and followingStarCraft Remastered’s model may be exactly how it does that.
RELATED:StarCraft Deserves the Diablo Treatment
Warcraft 3 Reforged Should Copy StarCraft Remastered’s DLC Model
UnlikeWarcraft 3 Reforged,StarCraft Remasteredwas received very well upon release. The game simply updated the classicStarCraftand its expansionBrood Warwith new HD visuals. Everything else about the game felt almost exactly like how it was when it first launched in 1998. It retained allthe charm and polish of the iconic RTSwhile also being boosted by modern hardware. It was almost everything that fans were hoping for, and it started Blizzard’s remastered adventures on a strong note.
Two years afterStarCraft Remasteredhit store shelves, Blizzard announced a brand-new graphics overhaul DLC pack. This came out of nowhere but was a welcome addition to the game.StarCraft: Cartoonedtookthe entireStarCraftexperienceand put it in the style of Carbot Animations' parodies. It played exactly likeStarCraftwould, but with an entirely new and unique visual style. It was a treat for fans of the franchise and gave some players a reason to finally check it out.
WhileStarCraft Remasteredstarted off strong, its DLC made the experience even better. It helped redefine what this remaster was, and hopefully more packs like it can follow. The core experience should feel like the original game, but future DLC packs could run wild with the visuals. Giving players an optional overhaul would breathe new life into the title and let fans experience it in a whole new way. It is something that seemed to work out very well forStarCraft, and may beexactly whatWarcraft 3 Reforgedneeds.
One ofthe biggest criticisms ofWarcraft 3 Reforgedis its art style. What was supposed to be this massive overhaul of the classic game turned out to be pretty lackluster. The models look rough, the maps look alright, and the game’s world just feels rather bland. It seems to be missing something, and a massive graphic overhaul could fix that. Blizzard could rework the game’s visuals with an assortment of different art styles, which could create an incredibly unique experience for fans of the iconic RTS.
There is a strong possibility thatBlizzard has mostly abandonedWarcraft 3 Reforgedafter its controversial launch, but it should really give the remaster another shot. While it will be impossible to shake off the bad will it garnered, visual overhaul packs likeStarCraft: Cartoonedcould give the game a new lease on life. It could revive this troubled remaster, give players a reason to check it out again, and let fans see it from a whole new perspective.
Warcraft 3 Reforgedis available now on PC.
MORE:World of Warcraft Classic Will Have to Face the Reaper Sooner or Later
