Video games have been around for decades, and many classics have come and gone over the years. However, one game that has been in the hearts and minds of gamers for two decades is Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. Released in 2002, this legendary real-time strategy game enjoyed a long and successful run, and has since been celebrated as one of the greatest games of all time.
To commemorate this seminal classic, Blizzard Entertainment has released a special anniversary edition of the game: Warcraft III: Reforged. This remastered version of the original game brings back the classic Warcraft III experience with updated visuals, audio, animations, new social features, and more. For both longtime fans of the series and newcomers alike, this is an opportunity to finally dive into the magical world of Azeroth and experience the game’s classic storyline in 2020’s standards.
For those that may have never had the pleasure of playing the game, Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos was set in the Warcraft universe, a magical realm filled with orcs, elves, and humans. Players took control of an army from one of four factions and vied for control of Azeroth with the goal of destroying their enemies. Reign of Chaos pushed the boundaries of what was possible in a real-time strategy title at the time, delivering some of the most memorable units, settings, and story moments in gaming.
It also became hugely popular in the eSports scene with its electrifying multiplayer battles. Tournaments such as the World Cyber Games and World E-Sports Games showed off the game’s skill ceiling and produced memorable moments in pro gaming such as the 2005 Grand Final between Korean players Park ‘Lyn’ Joon and Kim ‘ReMinD’ Sang Hyun and the 2003 three-race crossover match between players Grubby, Moon and Sheik.
At its core, however, Warcraft III was much more than a competitive title. Its story campaign included some of the greatest spirit-lifting moments of the early 2000s: sending Thrall on his quest to lead the orcs to rediscovered salvation, helping the Night Elves protect their land from the Burning Legion, joining Arthas on his descent from paladin to death knight, bidding farewell to Lordaeron… In the process, Warcraft III managed to carve for itself a place in gaming history and garnered millions of fans in the process.
In celebration of the game’s 20th anniversary, Blizzard has released the remastered version of the game. Warcraft III: Reforged remastered the original game assets to bring them up to modern standards - players can now experience the classic game with updated visuals, a refined user experience, and rewards that carry over from the original title.
The remastered version has also added a number of new features. There’s a custom game lobby, which allows players to find fellow fans instantly from among millions of players, connect with each other and share strategies. Other features such as leaderboards, automated tournaments, modern matchmaking and game replays enhance the replayability of the game.
Alongside the remastered game, Blizzard has also released a number of videos and docu-series to discuss the game’s legacy. They focus on the game’s impact over the years, highlight some of its memorable moments, and feature interviews from some of the designers that worked on the original game. This reveals the passion and dedication they had while working on Reign of Chaos and give players a better understanding of the game’s intricate and compelling storyline.
Overall, Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos celebrated its 20th anniversary in style. The remastered version of the game serves as a beautiful reminder of the game’s legacy while also introducing some long-awaited modern features. Although a lot has changed over the years, some things still remain true: Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos is still one of the best real-time strategy games of all time and its legacy will continue to live on for many generations to come.
