World Of Warcraft: Blizzcon 2007: Howling Fjord Preview

Attendees of BlizzCon were able to enjoy the treat of demoing the new expansion first hand. Blizzard had set up about 200 Computers that allowed you to go to Northrend. For 30 minutes, we could explore the entry zone called the Howling Fjord. Howling Fjord is the southeastern most area of Northrend. While it is Northrend, the zone is not a snow zone like Alterac Mountain or Winterspring, but that doesn't mean you don't get a sense that it is supposed to be cold. High cliffs and large trees dominate the zone. The trees are definitely new in design and have a height double or triple the trees in the zones of WoW Classic.

Much like Hellfire Peninsula was the introduction zone to Burning Crusade, Howling Fjord is the introduction zone to Wrath of the Lich King. Friendly NPCs are all in a state of battle ready. For the Horde, the zone is dominated by the Forsaken. The main city is known as Vengeance Landing and lies on the southeastern most tip of the zone, below the cliffs. 3 or 4 large skeleton ships float just beyond the city, and it really gives the feeling that the invasion of Northrend is just starting. The city itself has 3 large cannons firing at a base just to the south of the landing, and a skeleton sergeant is pressing his troops to set up siege weapons. For the demo, Horde players entered the zone via zeppelin. The Grom'gol terminal at the Undercity zeppelin tower has been changed to fly to Vengeance Landing. The town itself is styled in the new Forsaken/Undead Housing style which we will first get to see in Wrath of the Lich King.

To scale the cliffs as a Horde player, an elevator was setup outside of Vengeance Landing. The elevator is about as tall as the Thousand Needles elevator, however this is a Forsaken elevator rather than a Tauren elevator. Iron gates rise up as the elevator reaches the bottom and slam back down as you rise up. You can see a counter weight next the elevator providing the lift.

The zone, itself, is dominated by the new Viking like race called the Vrykul. They are a large race about as tall as Tauren, but much more agile. Chris Metzen called them a "Race of 'Bad Asses" with large weapons and a huge chip on their shoulder. They are found all over the zone, and are the main adversary for players. Their buildings are also new. These look like larger more menacing versions of the Tauren long houses with large dragon faces displayed on the end of roof tops. The most dominating structure of the zone is Utgarde Keep located at the end of Daggercap Bay. Utgarde Keep can be described as a large circular spire with a waterfall running along its right side and 2 large skull faces shaped out of rocks at the bottom. A Vrykul city lies at its base. Right in front of the entrance of Utgarde Keep is a chance to see Arthas, The Lich King, who appears as a ghostly visage to mock the players.

Daggercap Bay holds the alliance town. Further along to the northwest lies New Agamar, another Forsaken city which is clouded in green mist of the plague the Forsaken are trying to use against the Scourge. The Tauren have also set up an outpost in the northeast. Both have flightpaths back to Vengeance Landing.

Still, the zone is largely incomplete. Respawn timers are default. Itemization doesn't seem to be done, and the mob selection seems to be somewhat uniform. Vrykul are great looking but they only have 1 or 2 default clothing options, and their cities had limited spawns. Passage to the next zone was also blocked off by invisible walls.

Howling Fjord has a lot of great looks, but it is clear that it is still very early in development for the Northrend areas. It's safe to say we probably won't be seeing Northrend for quite awhile.

If you have an impression from Blizzcon you'd like to share, please email wownews@warcry.com.