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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBreakfast Topic: Are you happy with the new races?
by Andrew Ross 
Mar 6th 2011 at 8:00AM
One of the most anticipated changes next to a revamped Azeroth for Cataclysm was the announcement of two new races. The goblins would be joining the Horde, and the worgen would join the Alliance. These were two races the players have been asking Blizzard to make playable for a number of years. You couldn't browse the forums without seeing threads about what people would name their new goblin rogue or which class should Worgenfreman should play.
Cataclysm has been out for nearly 3 months, and most people have formed an opinion of the new races, whether it be positive or negative. Many people thought it would be a repeat of The Burning Crusade when you saw more draenei and blood elves running around than anything else. Surprisingly, this was not the case. Once Cataclysm went live, a number of people race-changed to one of the new races, while others started with a fresh level 1 to experience the new starting zones.
I played through the goblin zone first. I enjoyed it for the most part but at times it felt bloated or that Blizzard was trying too hard to mold the goblins into a certain image. It was still a blast, and I loved the Escape from Kezan cinematic. The only complaint with the goblins are the faces; all the faces look angry or like they are walking around with something "stuck." The worgen starting zone was fun but felt bloated and too repetitive at times. Overall, I'm not as thrilled with the worgen as I thought I would be. I'm not a fan of the appearance of the worgen, and the Running Wild animation is just weird to me. Seeing a worgen in a robe on all fours is even worse.
What do you think of the new races? Did your main undergo a race change, or are you leveling a new worgen or goblin?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Guest Posts
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 11)
Uri Mar 6th 2011 8:22AM
I'm very happy with some of the new things Blizz have given us with Cata, but also a bit disappointed also.
Having completed the Worgan and Goblin starting zones, I would have to say that the Worgan one seemed really half done, when you finish the chain in Darnass it just stops, unlike the Goblins that keeps going once you hit Org.
A little disappointed also about how Goblins picked up a few classes that really should have been added to another race, ie why cant Gnomes be Hunters?
But lever all I'm happy, heck I should be after completing my third level 85 this week.
Greenimeani Mar 6th 2011 8:26AM
"Why can't gnomes be hunters?"
Because their pet would think that they're a chew toy =)
Nawaf Mar 6th 2011 8:30AM
i.e. Goblins shamans and priests.
Eros Mar 6th 2011 8:42AM
Gnomes can't be hunters because there pets would eat them.
Lochlorien Mar 6th 2011 2:37PM
Why don't goblin's pets eat them?
Saeadame Mar 7th 2011 2:37AM
@Lochlorien - Maybe a "Green Eggs and Ham" mentality... Goblins look much less appetizing.
Udderpowered Mar 6th 2011 8:23AM
My one problem with goblins is that there was no option for the insane smile that the old goblin model had. I don't want grim/moody goblins, I want MANIAC goblins!
Andrew R. Mar 6th 2011 8:51AM
I agree with this. All the faces have the "Grr! I'm angry at everything!" look. How about some non grumpy grandpa looking faces.
Tabasa Mar 6th 2011 9:30AM
THIS. The new models for Goblins look so tired compared to the energetic and slightly deranged expressions the old ones wore, which felt "right" for the race considering their penchant for blowing things up.
Yeah, the models are way more detailed and look nice now, but I was very disappointed to see them all wearing scowls.
MikeLive Mar 6th 2011 8:24AM
I do really enjoy both new races, but the role of Worgen in the world feels much less important than post-TBC Draenei (and it's even worse since they were *just* introduced, you'd think they'd have some major role).
Greenimeani Mar 6th 2011 8:25AM
I would like the worgen more if their spell-casting didn't look so retarded and if their attacking wasn't so jumpy and flippy...
Goblin Rocket Boots = best racial ever
Malaena Mar 6th 2011 8:29AM
When you compare the Goblins and Worgen are both portrayed after their starting zone, the Worgen come up short.
Its obvious the devs had a lot more fun implementing the Goblins. They have all of Azshara to level in after their starting zone where the Worgen have to share with NEs.
Goblin models are much more detailed and have much more options than Worgen. And the Worgen female is completely rushed and unfinished.
Kurtis Mar 7th 2011 9:34AM
I'm primarily a Hordie, but I played through both the Goblin and Worgen zones. (Didn't keep either character - my only Goblin now is a DK, going for the guild Classy achieve.)
The Goblin zone had some moments that were immensely fun. However, it just went on, and on, and on... Seriously, by about level 11 or 12 I was like, "when are we going to get off this freaking island and on to Azshara?" It got really grindy, really fast.
The Worgen zone was a lot of fun from a lore perspective - I played through it pretty much non-stop. It was immersive, interesting, varied... and then it was over. "Grats, you're done. Here's a one-way ticket to the other side of the planet."
If I roll a new toon, I'd go with Worgen over Goblin - other than leveling my DK, I'm really not interested in goblins. Maybe an arms or fury (furry?) warrior...
Kurtis Mar 7th 2011 9:43AM
Umm... that's weird. I wondered what happened to my post - it was supposed to be a regular post, not a reply to somebody.
Nawaf Mar 6th 2011 8:27AM
When it comes to worgen, at first it was great. The problem is that it's draenei all over again. You barely see any worgen any where. They have no bases, any where. Not even in this xpac. At least the draenei had it in TBC. They don't even get to continue their OWN story. You actually have to play horde to know the rest of the worgen story.
And they could've worked better on the running wild animation. I like the idea, but my worgen looks like a mad dog running.
On the other hands, there's goblins. Goblins get their own 10-20 zone. Their 1-10 experience is a lot better than worgen's. You can see them in a lot of places around Azeroth (well, you could see them in a lot of places since WoW launched).
And tbh I preferred the old goblins voices, not the Italian New Yorkers.
Goblin vs. worgen 1-10 questing is just an example of complete horde bias in cata.
Tim Mar 6th 2011 8:31AM
I've tried both and got farther with a worgen so.... I guess I like the worgen the best. The snuffling is indeed, annoying and I feel like most that they got screwed in the story area. Maybe Blizz is gonna do something down the line in a further patch. As for the goblins, mines only 17. Still can't stand the attitudes and wanna punch them all in the face.
jealouspirate Mar 6th 2011 8:34AM
I must not like the Goblin starting zone, since my lowbie Goblin has yet to finish it. Every now and then I'll do a quest or two then just log off.
I'm a Horde Shaman, and I was planning on race-changing to male Goblin but changed it to female because the male Goblin are too angry sounding all the time. It annoys me to no end. My female goblin is great though. The way she just bounces around with her arms and pigtails swaying along brings a smile to my face.
Worgen? I don't know... they look good in the Worgen starting zone, but I find they look ridiculously out of place everywhere else. Seeing one out and about in Stormwind or something just looks weird to me. Also, the females are awful. When playing Horde I feel I'm doing a public service to players everywhere when putting down some female Worgen.
Dragonrose Mar 6th 2011 8:34AM
I love my worgen warrior, but I do have a few gripes with her, mainly the lack of scary factor on her face. The body is fine to me, it's female without being weakling, her claws are big and not tuned down but...where are my huge protruding fangs and red glowing eyes? And what kind of canine snarls with half their mouth closed? If they were going to do a perma snarl, at least they could have done it right, like they did with the males. : /
Ah well, at least I mostly see her from behind, I'll picture the scary in my mind.
Realmreaver Mar 6th 2011 8:35AM
The Goblins are Gnomes done right however them ending up on an island paradise was rather disappointing. I like their steam punk world more. The goblin seem angry all the time (except the females) but will admit the females has th same issues with looks as trolls almost.
The Worgens had a great start with their content but seemed like the new Alliance race before, it ended sloppy like they we're in a rush. Course we now know that is true cause the tree was supposed to be in Sotrmwind NOT Darnassus. I don't care what they have in connection to the Night Elves they we're still once human and they would rather live in Stormwind then Night Elf central.
The worgen races look itself is 'allright' The walk/run animation of the males suck and the females faces are often too 'soft'. The females voices are too 'rough'.
Finally the 'Running Wild' animation could have been done better but I am still glad the attempt was made cause that was; to me, a must to have with that race.
P.S. I don't even like playing druids, however, why can a Worgen run faster on all fours than any druid animal form? Concidering how quickly a druid can mount after they get their running spell that running spell should be converted to a 'mount' too.
Drakkenfyre Mar 6th 2011 12:25PM
They said they moved the Worgen area from SW to Darnassus because it didn't feel right in SW, it fit better in Darnassus.
That was not a sign of rushing.