In the wake of the success of the original EverQuest, numerous developers have focused their creative efforts on crafting compelling massively multiplayer worlds designed to draw in--and hold the attention of--thousands of players. Due to the typically time-consuming nature of the genre, as well as the fact that supporting these games requires a monthly fee, MMORPGs have for the most part remained a niche category, appealing to a large but traditionally exclusive group of players. The search for the holy grail of the massively multiplayer genre has consisted of trying to create a game with broad appeal, a game that minimizes the tedious and sometimes punishing aspects that can be typical of MMORPGs while providing an involving, interesting, and, above all else, fun experience for players. Where many have tried and failed, Blizzard Entertainment has succeeded: World of Warcraft is a uniquely recommendable game that embodies all the best qualities that the MMO genre has to offer, and it's the best massively multiplayer online game of 2004.

From the moment you first set foot in the diverse lands of Azeroth, World of Warcraft captivates with its vast, seamless, and visually cohesive world. Players are placed in charge of their own destinies virtually immediately--there's no tutorial introduction to the game, whose elegantly designed interface is easy to decipher and simple to use. And, while other games in the genre punish players for testing their limits and running risks, World of Warcraft encourages this kind of activity by not forcing players to lose experience when they fail. That sort of can-do design ethic pervades all aspects of the game, allowing characters to make significant progress by playing solo or in groups, giving characters an experience bonus for time they haven't spent online with the game, and so on. It's that welcoming approach that makes this game truly special. World of Warcraft can be enjoyed in small increments or large ones, alone or with friends, and by both veterans and newcomers alike.