The nolife factor makes it best for me tbh :o
There are also very few good MMOs.
So I've just joined the Silver Hand private server, it's my first time playing vanilla (started during TBC) and first time on a private server.
I'm already hooked, for the obvious social reasons but also for stuff I'd completely forgotten about.
The complexity is immense. I'd completely forgotten that you had to level up your skills with each type of weapon, for example. That you'd have to go find a class trainer to learn new abilities and that you might even struggle to afford them! Or that you'd have to read the quests carefully to figure out where exactly to go. I'd forgotten just how many different spells and things a single class could have, and how unique your character could be. A paladin running around in a weird mish mash of leather and mail because you're poor and take what you can get your hands on. Nothing is streamlined, everything is a mission and you need to interact and team up with people even just to kill bandits in Northshire! The complexity makes it challenging. Retail WoW just doesn't have that. It's too accessible, and levelling isn't even fun let alone challenging.
For me, that's what makes classic the best. The journey being the reward, not the end game content. I also love the way a server would have its own personality - I remember people having so much attitude in WoW back in the day, which just got lost with each new expac. Getting good at your class was actually a challenge, and fellow players on your server would either kindly help you or tell you how much of a retard n00b you are for asking stupid questions. Example: this morning I asked /general in Silver Hand if there were achievements in Vanilla and was immediately shot down by 5 or 6 people telling me to run back to retail and collect pets and stop wasting their time. Some were actually more crude than that but I won't repeat what they said here, ha. But I loved it! I remember there being a lot of that in WoW (not always directed at me!) and it was funny. I cared about what these veteran players thought about me and worked hard to play better. You had nice people and elitist asshats - all giving your server a personality of its own, whereas now nobody talks to you and if they do, chances are they are from a different server and you'll never see them again.
Another reason that's not been said in here or in the past.
I feel that the game doesn't guide you...your on your own...(with friends of course)...you make your own experience...you decide what your doing today...you guide yourself through azeroth the way you want...there is no quest that pops up when you log in or things you MUST do...its up to you how you want to spend your time in the game...this is why I love World of Warcraft...the freedom and mystery of the game...you have the freedom to make choices with talents, leveling, gearing up...you dont even need to level your character if you dont want...and i understand there is a cookie cutter build and such but you dont need to follow the pack
Its not like a single player game where you are directed/guided to here then here ...etc. then the game is done..
If you want to focus on pvp...pve...RP...get all the tailoring patterns and be the guy everyone goes to when they need things made...dueling professional...known as that ass that ganks people in low level areas...farmer...AH master...the list goes on and on...
Itll be like a whole new game to me, i started playing in TBC on horde and while i already know i love the lore and fantasy and game play. ill be playing alliance which is really gonna change things up.
In today's World of Warcraft (yes there is some skill still involved) the term face-rolling your keyboard and win is still very much a term you can use. In "Vanilla" however.. There is none of that. Pulling a big group of mobs ( or ADDS ) will most likely destroy you until way later end game gear is equipped. The aspect of your character slowly growing up in the world takes hold. Learning everything from the real NODE grind when it comes to professions. Farming for plans for your profession ( i.e.) crusader enchant. It all takes time and much more dedication than i have witnessed or achieved in WOTLK up to BFA. And let's not forget... The TWINKS! PvPing in STV on your rogue. Taking a stroll down to Redridge mountains sitting on the bridge drinking coffee or beer, and them BAM! Found some lowbies to gank (followed by all the Alliance now coming to destroy you... Oh Vanilla, how i miss the.. lol Can't wait!!!
1. The difficulty in vanilla makes it so much more engaging. I felt more stress trying to clear out the Ban'ethil Barrow Den in Teldrassil as a lvl 8 nelf than I did in any of the raids I've done in retail in the last several years.
2. The lack of "oh great hero" language so prevalent in retail. In vanilla, you're just another random adventurer, not "the most powerful <class> in the world, somehow coexisting with all other player characters that are all simultaneously the leader of the <class> order, all saviors of Azeroth". In vanilla, quest text is simply "hey <class>, I'll give you 15 copper to go kill some kobolds over there". That makes it so much more immersive for me.
3. That the difficulty of the game forces you to interact with other players. In retail there is no reason to interact with other players in the world.
4. The level design forces you into wpvp that is much more organic than anything in retail.
A mix between tbc/classic would prolly be the best, with the most ideology coming from vanilla with like 70/30 rate, no flying, no small world, all classes somewhat more viable, somehow reworked and matched vanilla/tbc pvp system with arenas and not being able to just 2 shot ppl with OP pve gear. Kinda hope for classic + but its just a mess to get it right ( and i dont have faith for blizz on this case) so I think we better off with just tbc.
No instant gratification. You need to work for what you want. Making friends along the way.
Tangible progression. Every ounce of power you get feels good and rewarding, and you can notice it in combat.
- Everything is available
- Everything is relevant
- Everything makes sense
(in other words, nothing has been removed or made obsolete, and there are no lose ends resulting from changes in game design philosophy between expansions)