 [Larger view] | World of Warcraft(R) Official Strategy Guide (Official Strategy Guides (Bradygames))
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 Great book, but no updates | |
| This book was everything I hoped it would be from reading the other reviews on Amazon. It's rich with basic strategies for the various classes, maps of the various regions along with basic commentary on what resources are present, a compact quest listing per zone, detailed item information, etc. It's basically a whole fan website in one book.
However, there are a couple of issues with the book. Plastered all over the back are notices about where to go for updates. I'm pleased that at least one publisher realizes the special challenges that online games pose for strategy guides. The game changes, and the guides need to get frequent minor updates to reflect those changes. For example, the "/v" "vocal emotes" have changed syntax. The information page on dodge percentages mentioned as critical for keeping tabs on Warrior equipment seems to have vanished. I bet it's in there somewhere, but I haven't found it yet. Unfortunately, Brady has not published any updates on their much-vaunted site. They did mention a cool "binder" that contains updates and unfortunately I purchased it. It's an empty binder with neat Warcraft photos on it. Cute, but hardly worth ten bucks. My E-mailed requests for information on how to get the updates (if there are any and I just missed them) have gone unanswered. So in short-- great book, get it. Don't get the binder, and don't expect updates. | |
 A must have guide of the World of Warcraft | |
| The World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide from Brady Games costs $22.49. Just like the game it covers, it is very welcoming to players that are completely new to the genre. It starts with a chapter giving an introduction to MMORPGs in general, a walkthrough of your first day in the game, and common tactics and roles of the different classes in a group.
Just like the EQ2 book, it has descriptions of the races and classes, lists of equipment, and a chapter on crafting. It also has a chapter on PvP, an interview about future raid content, and the bestiary the EQ2 book was missing. There is an atlas, but the maps are just screenshots of the (useful enough) in-game maps. The atlas also has descriptions of the zones, with lists of quests, NPCs, and resources to be found there. The best part of the book are the comics from Gabe and Tycho of Penny Arcade fame. Those are really funny descriptions of the many humorous situations that can happen in a game like World of Warcraft. The weakest part is that there are no maps or descriptions of the instanced dungeon zones, which are the games strongest group-based content and the source of the best loot. If you were playing both games but had the money for only one of the books, you should probably buy the Everquest 2 one. The World of Warcraft book is in no way worse, but the game of WoW is a lot more helpful than the game of EQ2, thus the EQ2 strategy guide ends up being more useful. WoW not only gives out a lot more information in the game itself, it also has one single website as alternative source for all information you are likely to want to know. If you are only playing one of these games and you don't have a second computer for looking up information while you play, buying the strategy guide for the game you play is a good idea. Both books contain useful information, which could save you a lot of running and searching around in game. Neither is absolutely necessary to succeed, but both are good to have on your desk next to the keyboard. | |
| Excellent Strategy Guide! | |
| I personally love the game World of Warcraft, and I would suggest it to anyone who enjoys RPGs and online interactivity with people. But, we all understand that games like this require a lot of time to learn, and you will always learn new things as you progress through the game. This book helps you understand the game itself in quicker, more conceptual manner.
First of all, the book will tell you important statistics, such as starting class types, future spells, etc. The information gathered in the book will let you know what you should be working for, and what you are working for. It also helps you decide what you truly wish to be by presenting everything there is to know about everything within the game, such as classes, professions, etc. It will also help you get started. The book shows you what to do in the start of each city area, depending on your class. It's really hard to know what you are doing, and I personally know this, when you start and don't even know how the game works, but with this book, you will remove most of the confusion. It will explain how to do things that even some experts don't know without reading it! Overall, I rate this as a five star strategy guide. There is more than enough information within the book, and nobody can cover all of the information without reading the book to you. You will enjoy looking over the strategy guide, and you will enjoy the knowledge that most people lack in World of Warcraft. |
