Warcraft 3 Reforged – A Legendary RTS Marred by Blizzard’s Missteps
Warcraft 3 Reforged promised a glorious return of the RTS classic, but instead, it has become one of Blizzard’s most criticized releases. While the core game remains intact, the execution of this so-called “remaster” leaves much to be desired. Missing features, broken promises, and the removal of the original game from Battle.net have left long-time fans frustrated. So, what went wrong? Let’s break it down.
1. The Good – A Timeless RTS Remains Intact
Despite the issues surrounding Reforged, the core Warcraft 3 experience still shines. The mix of base building, resource management, and tactical battles remains one of the best in the genre. The inclusion of The Frozen Throne expansion means players get access to one of the most complete RTS campaigns ever made. The hero system, which influenced games like Dota 2 and League of Legends, still holds up remarkably well. If nothing else, Reforged proves that Warcraft 3 was ahead of its time.
2. The Visual Upgrade – A Double-Edged Sword
Blizzard’s biggest selling point for Reforged was the improved visuals, but the execution is inconsistent. Character models, especially heroes like Arthas and Thrall, have received more detail. However, these detailed models don’t blend well with the game’s environments. The contrast between the sharper character designs and the outdated backgrounds creates a jarring effect. Even worse, the graphical improvements become nearly unnoticeable when playing with the camera zoomed out, which is how RTS games are typically played.
3. Where Are the Promised Cutscenes?
One of the most glaring disappointments is Blizzard’s failure to deliver on its cinematic promises. At BlizzCon 2018, a stunning, reworked cutscene of Arthas purging Stratholme was showcased, giving fans hope for a fully reimagined narrative experience. Instead, Blizzard opted for simpler, static-camera cutscenes reminiscent of the original game, removing one of the major selling points of Reforged. The only fully remastered cinematic is the opening sequence, leaving fans wondering what happened during development.
4. Missing Features and Downgrades
One of the most infuriating aspects of Warcraft 3 Reforged is what Blizzard took away. Custom campaigns, a staple of the original game, are now missing. The competitive ladder, an essential feature for multiplayer, is absent. Perhaps the most controversial decision was Blizzard’s forced update that converted all existing Warcraft 3 clients to Reforged, removing access to the original game’s features. This means even players who never wanted Reforged were forced into its broken state.
5. Community Backlash and Blizzard’s Response
Fans were quick to voice their outrage. Reforged quickly became the lowest-rated game on Metacritic, with thousands of negative reviews. Blizzard’s response? A half-hearted apology and a promise to “improve the game over time.” But by then, the damage had been done. The controversy surrounding Reforged only added to Blizzard’s already declining reputation following the Blitzchung incident and other corporate blunders.
6. Is Warcraft 3 Reforged Worth Playing?
If you’ve never played Warcraft 3 before, Warcraft 3 Reforged still offers a solid RTS experience—but it’s not the definitive version fans hoped for. Long-time players will likely be more frustrated than nostalgic, as the missing features and broken promises overshadow the improvements. Until Blizzard addresses these issues, Warcraft 3 Reforged remains a lesson in how not to handle a remaster.
