Posted by pixiestixy on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 - 40 Comments
Tags: Alliance, battle for the undercity, bolvar, cinematic, cut scene, dragonblight, event, Horde, lich king, lore, movie, saurfang, wotlk, wrathgate
Last week you guys might remember that I wrote a bit about my love of the Dragonblight zone and all of its lore-tastic quest lines. And I should have known I can’t sneak anything past you guys! As several of you pointed out, I excluded from my post the major Wrath Gate cut scene and epic event that follows. Well, that’s partially because I hadn’t finished that quest line yet. But it was also because the quest line was so grand that I thought I’d dedicate an entire separate post to it.
**Possible spoilers for anyone who hasn’t played through WotLK content!!**
You have to work to get to the awesomeness. As a Hordie, I worked through four quest lines to prove my worth: Into the Fold, Victory Nears, Strength of Icemist, and The Forsaken Blight and You: How Not to Die. From there Overlord Agmar offers The Kor’Kron Vanguard:
The time has come, the moment is now - our elite soldiers at the Wrathgate need you. The son of Saurfang awaits your arrival at the Kor’kron Vanguard. Go now, northeast to the Wrathgate.
Another quest line later, some Scourge defeated, and the fun begins. Start in-game cinematic.
I’ll admit it. the first time I saw this was before I did any of the questing. But the second time, after all that work, left much more of an impact on me. We (who aren’t DKs) get our first in-game glimpse at the Lich King, and it’s an epic one at that. Both Bolvar and Saurfang Jr., along with a ton of their accompanying forces, get fandoozled by the Scourge (who are parading as the Forsaken). I knew those creepy apothecaries were up to something sinister!
After the scene ends, everything has changed. In place of Bolvar and Saurfang Jr. stand Alexstrasza and Korialstrasz, who you met in previous questlines in their humanoid forms atop Wyrmrest Temple. Those who still are alive are running around screaming, mourning the dead. And you’re left to inform either Saurfang or King Varian Wrynn of the casualties, and deal with the remaining aftermath.
I’ve heard that some thought the cutscene was a rip off Lord of the Rings - and I can definitely see the resemblance. But regardless of where Blizzard drew its inspiration, I think this was a huge step in the right direction. The movie gets both Alliance and Horde energized for the big event to come, which is another big WIN for Blizzard - The Battle for the Undercity.
Whether you’re battling Varimathras alongside Thrall and Lady Sylvanas for the Horde or smacking up Grand Apothecary Putress with King Varian Wrynn and Lady Jaina Proudmoore for the, in this case, ill-informed Alliance, the battle for the ruins of Lordaeron is one of the most entertaining events I can recall for many reasons. Not the least of which is getting constant buffs that transform your character into a badass as you battle hell-minions who obviously are confused about their place in Azeroth. But there’s also a ton of great lore in there for those of us who love the storytelling aspect of WoW, and we see some insight into the current relationship of Horde-Alliance. The phasing of areas we usually see much differently was pretty damn neat, too. I had a difficult time tearing myself away from the computer after all that excitement.
Blizzard’s movie site explains a bit about their thoughts behind the cinematic that triggers it all:
One of the design goals for Wrath of the Lich King was to elevate storytelling in World of Warcraft to new heights. Northrend is brought to life by engaging quests, memorable characters, beautiful environments, and the introduction of a brand-new feature: in-game cinematics. The first of these cinematics, The Wrath Gate, is now available for viewing and download on the Wrath of the Lich King website.
Now since this is the “first” of the “cinematics” (plural!) I really hope that means more of this is to come in the future. I’m not sure whether they’re considering the Ulduar cinematic to be another of these, since it’s really more of trailer than anything resulting from quests. But at least it adds on to the storyline, too. And Blizzard has put out plenty of trailers in the past, but the in-game Wrathgate morsel really seems like more of a reward and motivation to me. It may be unrealistic knowing that cinematics have got to be pretty expensive to make. But I can’t help it - I just want more! Don’t you!?
Related Posts: Going Solo: Bandaging on the Battlefield, Patch 3.2 Brings Cold Weather Flying to Level 68 Alts, The High Inquisitor: Why Are Dwarves Drunken, Scottish Miners?, Behind The Scenes Photos, The Novel Post: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King,
By Warzhinsky on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
i love it when the game comes to life in your computer!!!
By Alayea on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
I’m definitely all for more in-game cinematics, but Blizzard will have to be careful to not end up with so many that it starts detracting from the game.
By Alayea on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Forgot to mention: “…get fandoozled by the Scourge (who are parading as the Forsaken)”
That is incorrect. The RAS composed of Varimathras loyalists, so they would actually be a part of the Burning Legion (who has a bone to pick with the traitorous Scourge as well).
By Kevin on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
why cant we all just get along, i mean if you watch the video you see that the horde and alliance fight together against the Lich King and his armies and do very well until the Lich king himself comes out. Anyone else think that the horde and alliance should just team up?
By Zarox on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Alayea is correct. I never truested any of the Forsaken from the start; always saw this coming. Its a shame that these great heroes were killed, but hey, we’ll be seieng them in about 6 months, says Yogg-Saron.
Not sure how we can save Saurfang though…
By HerofTime on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
There better be a cinematic when Arthas goes down.
By Derxor on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I always wondered when Varithimas did not aid Sylvannas when the alliance were killing her. My friend done tihs b4 me and he doesn’t know anything about the lore so he was confused. We all made jokes of the Alliance saying they do nothing and take all the glory. They should put more cut scenes in this game.
By Amatera on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Definitely want more. Loved them in FFXI, but unfortunately those were unvoiced (all the dialogue popped up in your chat box) and the animations weren’t quite as robust.
Cutscenes using the in-game engine shouldn’t be all that hard to pull off, so I’m hoping that the Wrath Gate/Ulduar stuff is just a teaser compared to how many we get in the next expansion.
By Taskun on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I think bliz should try to incorperate our toons in the next cinimatic, if possible
By Amatera on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
That said, I’m also expecting one to be associated with the Lich King, perhaps when you (supposedly) kill him at the end if Icecrown Citadel. It’d be kind of lame if he just yelled “arrrrrrgh!” and keeled over after everything he’s put you through!
By Zerth on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
To wrap up what Alayea said: Varimathras was a bigshot in the Legions army, until Sylvanas defeated him. After his defeat he promised to stay loyal to her as long as she would spare him… she did and he got control of the Forsaken apothecary (Putress.)
Varimathras’s plan was to destroy most of Wrathgates forces then take over UC by summoning Legion forces and using the remaining apothecary forces.
Good post, and correct me if im wrong.
By Shnoo on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Actually, Varimathras was not an important Legion figured (i put into perspective of his brother Bazzalan and Tichondrious) when Sylvannas incapacitated him, she offered him his life if he swore to slay his brother (He faked this obviously since Bazzalan is the end boss of the “Living” side of Stratholme). And also, Putress is not and was not the leader of the RAS he was just the lead “developer” of the New Plague, as was seen during the Drums of War patch. Hence, why only his sect of the RAS was under Varimathras’ control.
By awarlock on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
ok, i hate how every1 says forsaken are evil. look them up on wwwiki and it basically spams everywhere that the forsaken and even blood elfves are “evil.” They arent evil, they went through some rough times and want to kick arthas’s ass. They dont want all living things dead, besides the crazy rebels. playing an undead char myself, i think the whole evil persona thing they put on tehm is a tiny bit to….. idiotic
By Living Vapour on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Isn’t that hellscreams son not Saurfang’s son?
By Nnohhbody on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
i did the quests for this cenematic 3 times( DK, Mage, and Warrior) after i did it on my warrior ((Undead)) i made a macro where he yells: LOK’TAR OGAR! FOR THE HORDE!! i love it, im a pro-alliance person, but my fav 2 alts are my main(human mage) and undead warrior.
more in-game cenematics would be awesome, i’d wish there was a lil cut scene when u went into the emerald dream and saw briefly Malfurion, but alas no just a few nightmares. mayb there’ll be more for new raids, Blizz made a in-game cenematic for MgT( magister’s Terrance) sure it was a brief look of Sunwell but a cenematic none-the less…… Blizz more in-game cenematics plz..or prepare to get a Frostfire bolt to the FACE!
By Ommadon on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Saurfang the Younger = Hellscream’s son?
No.
You are thinking of Garrosh, who is seen in the Ulduar trailer.
I would love to see more in-game cinematics, and somebody mentioned the Arthas fight in Icecrown Citadel (patch 3.3). Excuse caps for a moment.
THE ARTHAS FIGHT HAD BETTER BE EPIC. There, I said it. If Blizzard doesn’t make the final battle against the Lich King so epic that you crap your pants, I quit.
By Tyranis on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
When I was leveling up, I had heard my guildmates talking about a “cut scene” but I hate spoilers, so I didn’t look it up or ask what it was.
I was glad I didn’t. When that cut scene happened, I got chills. It was so exciting and you get to follow it up with the assault on the Undercity. Pure gaming awesome.
By asdasd on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
It would be cool if when horde arrives they would start killing allys like they always do when ally attack mob
By Nomzz on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
@asdasd
Um, did you WATCH the cinematic, or just TL;DR it?
The Horde and The Alliance were (until King Wrynn was an idiot and attacked the Horde) trying to work together to beat the Lich King. If the Horde arrived and “start killing allys like they always do when ally attack mob” that MIGHT throw the proverbial wrench in their plans. (which Wrynn did anyways. aint it cool how that works?)
By Naberian on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
I love the vid. Even though there are some of the same things between LOTR and WOTLK, i still agree with pixie that this was a big part of WoW. I love WoW storyline and i think this was a great addition. Thank you for re-introducing this vid to me. Now im stoked to play some WoW!
By Sean on Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 1:41 am
It’s rare that a game makes me giddy.
The Wrath Gate was one of those rare moments.
By Alex on Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 6:39 am
I agree I’d love to see more cut scenes introduced and included in game. they have shown us they can incorperate it in “YAY” they finally got something right. IMO i think they need to rework alot of the old content to include some cut scenes to help tell the lore behind the game especially on questlines that are long or that deal with fighting in an instance to help let you feel the reason why they are asking you to go fight in that particular instance and kill the bosses there.
Anyone else agree?
By lawman30 on Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 7:58 am
QUASI-SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T READ THE ARTHAS BOOK!!
I think one aspect of the Arthas fight that would add a truly epic feel to it would be to have one part of the fight be your raid fighting against MASSIVE numbers of non-elite undead/nerubian summoned by Arthas. Not waves of 10 or so, mind you, but a relentless crush of them all at once so that you had a feel for the scope of his power over the dead. Then, like in the book, if a party memeber dies during the fight they would be raised by Arthas to fight as his minion. Do I have any idea how to make this happen in-game. No. Do I think it would be one of the coolest things ever…HELL YEAH!
By Blight on Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 8:41 am
I love the voice acting for Putress, it came off perfect. The scene and events after are fantastic. Except, when I did it on my Horde toon, I got to do it from the start. Every time I’ve done it with an Alliance toon (3x now) I always come in once it’s already been started.
The events that take place really show why Jaina “Levelheaded” Proudmore should be the leader of the Alliance. Wrynn does not make me proud to be Alliance, he only makes me sad that Blizzard decided to bring him in as the new face of the Alliance. Then again, hot-headed, doesn’t listen to others is pretty much the majority of Alliance players anyhow.
What happened to Saurfang Jr. is a good example of why you do not rush the Raid boss in DPS gear. Also, I can only assume that Bolvar’s bubble hearth must of been on cooldown, cause he could of easily survived that fight.
By Redaurora on Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 9:54 am
My question is how is this a take on Lord of the Rings? Is it the Lich Kings armor or the look to his buildings. Or is it the movie itself that is a take off. I guess I need to watch the movie again to find out.
By Arassar on Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Oh it’s a huge rip of the Lord of the Rings, specifically the scene when Aragorn and the others are standing outside the Black Gate and he yells almost the same exact lines that Bolvar copped in this cinematic.
By Angel on Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
One of the best moments in Wrath if you ask me.
By Lladnar of The Dark Menace (Detheroc) on Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I was the first of my guild to view the Wrathgate event as I was the only one able to take time off to power level to 80. The epicness (is that a word?) of the cinematic lead me to stop before actually completing the Battle for Undercity and wait for the remainder of our Guild officers to reach that stage in the event. We then planned a time to all complete the event together…one of those moments of solidarity, long time RL friends coming together from around the country to retake UC, it was grand!
By cocopuff on Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
ok first of all if you dont know the lore please do not speak because it makes you sound like an idiot thrall put wrynn though hell wrynn wanted to make piece with the orcs more then anything witch is why i was sent to talk with thrall instead of sending assasins to kill him its only natural he wanted some paay back may i remind you who rebuilt SW in and who destoyed it ? and dont give me the they were under burning legion control excuse i would love to hear wrynn speach again another reason may be the “unknown voice” who we know is yogg-saron like in the ulduar video the horde is just as if not more hot headed then the allys and what lady jaina did made me hate that bitch i was phyced to kill some horde but that bitch stoped me froze the ally forces and ported the maway now i dont feel so bad doing what i did to here during the scourge event before the WOTLK release if i may efrene this to real life here methods is exacly why the League of nations failed in proventing WW1 would ii be so bad if teh alliance and horde fought thier no one woul have to die just ported away as thier about to be defeated and it would be a fun event horde get to kill alliance alliance get to kill horde. spoken like a true forsaken awarlockno we are not evil we just wiped out half of our own fraction forces only half the otehr half is still alive why does you’re capital look so creepy and if you’re so perfect who could possibly rebel against you? you may have broken free of the lich kings control but you still have teh same practices like eating humanoid flash for example and lets brush up on the blood elf history the night and blood elfs used to live in harmony though back then they called them selfs high borne meaning they thoguht they were better then everyone ellse and they were ruled by thier trachorous queen azshara drunk from the weel of eternity power teh queen allways looked for more and when sargeras offered her such power in return to open a portal for him and his legion to invade her kingdom she used the well of eternity to generate teh power needed to make a portal of that proportion which eventualy led to its destruction and the great sundering which split the night elfs perfect kingdom of kalimdor into 3 big pieces of land and lots of small once plus the great sundering led to the creation of dwarfs and trogs the naja and those bastards with horn and hoofs it allso created the BE we know today the highborne hair turned red and their thirst for power grew and with bigest source gone they wondere of looking for another one and renamed them self high elfs closer to the present day they found the sunwell and become under the leadership of kel’thas the sunstrider who gave them the name we know tehm as teh blood elfs but they were unable to defend thier source of power from teh invading scourge and were killed and driven out kel’thas set out in search of another power source and went as far swearing his alegance to illidan my point is the blklood elfs will do anything for more power what is that if not evil and yea more cut scenes were would be totaly kick ass i have an idea of how to make teh arthas fight epic if he brought some of the people he killed liek uther back to life to fight us how epic would that be if he outs us though a series of events and after each on he would say something like “fool i am just warming you up step forth and meet you’re doom” and then when we get though to his room he is sitting their on his throne when we beat him he throws a bunch excuses on how he lost leaves arthases body and then blows up in the ceiling creating sert of a rair which you have to get out of or you will die then teh whole citadel starts falling apart and you have a limited amount time to get out tehn when you’re out you are met by nar’zhul and he rewards you with something wicked cool
By Alayea on Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 2:20 am
@cocopuff
Really was tempted to fix up that post of yours (what little I bothered reading of it), but then I figured you’re just baiting.
By Flann on Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 4:39 am
@cocopuff
Seriously man, take a breath and lay off the Red Bull
By Seltek on Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 7:40 am
I really enjoyed the cut scene and quest, TBH i don’t read q’s so i was like “WTF?!” when it came up, my mate did it after and we both thought it rocked. We are gonna do it again as we are levelling a Priest and Hunter ( I know its a weird combo, but it works) at 60 and i hope it is just as epic.
And..
@ Cocopuff
Wow, i didn’t read it but you look like you have a bit to much time on your hands
By cocopuff on Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 10:22 am
ok first of all i never had are bull in my life you think taht took along time to type not all those of you who read my comments know most of my commets are really long because i have lots to say and FYI my last post is the short version of what i wanted to say
By Ommadon on Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
@cocopuff
Seriously, just because it’s the Internet doesn’t mean you can completely ignore the laws of basic English.
To put it in common terms:
WE CAN’T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO SAY WHEN YOU CONSTANTLY TYPE AND TYPE AND CONTINUE LIKE THIS WITH NO DIRECTION AND YOU ARE BY THIS POINT LOSING THE FOCUS OF WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO TELL PEOPLE.
Periods and commas man, they are your best frieds.
By cocopuff on Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
ok it seems i to forgot to make the post idiot proof ok first of all i hever had a red bull in my life toy think tthatt took along time type? al those of you who read my comments know my are really long becausee i have lots to say and for your information (thats what FYI stand for) my last post is the short version of what i wanted to say
By Laoghaire on Sunday, June 7th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
@ Cocopuff
I think you are missing the point. Proofread. That’s all they are asking. It is difficult to understand and read your posts. If English is not your native language, then say so. Otherwise, idk… But it is painful to try and grasp what you have to say in your comments.
@ PL
Keep up the good posts. I loved this questline for how in depth it was. Walking into Org (as I’m a Forsaken DK) empty with all of the refugees was great. Very surreal. And then getting to siege my home city, perfect! I do hate that now Varimathras is dead I can’t go back and complete any of his ending quests. Of which there are many more than I thought there would be. I think Blizz should’ve added someone to ‘take over’ his quests so those of us who never got a chance to do them could in fact complete the line and not just come to an unsatisfiable ending. At this point I’m just doing them for the rep and Loremaster Achievement but it’s still a let down to receive the next quest in a line and read Varimathras’ name, sigh, then click “Abandon Quest”. Oh well, stuff happens. I can’t wait to see more cinematics as we build up to the fall of the Lich King. I’ve got my own hopes and dreams for Icecrown Citadel, and I know even if they don’t pan out as I have predicted, Blizz won’t fall short of giving me an awesome experience!!!
By Roi on Monday, June 8th, 2009 at 4:09 am
I just had to point this out.
I love how cocopuff made a reference to the “League of Nations” failing at WWI… and Jaina Proudmoore?
Strange analogy might I add, and your overall post made me go “lolwut”.
By Eric Shaun on Monday, June 8th, 2009 at 6:35 am
@cocopuff
Dear god use punctuation.
Loved the cinematic, Hope there are many more to come.
By Pancho on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 6:38 am
OMG TEXT WALL!!!!!
Punctuation is you friend.
But ya, the Wrathgate cinematic is one of my favorite parts of WTLK. I also liked the Guru of Drakuru quest chain, which also features the Lich King at the end (though not in a cinematic).
By power leveling guide on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 7:00 am
LOL - Awesome video!!