The War Within's investigations are the perfect solution to a big WoW problem, but Blizzard needs to make them even crazier

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The War Within's investigations are the perfect solution to a big WoW problem, but Blizzard needs to make them even crazier

Following fundamental improvements Dragon-fly made for World of Warcraft, The war within needed something to contribute to the game's lasting success. Delves was that addition, providing a highly flexible form of content aimed at solo players. Delves was supported by Blizzard as being a new pillar of endgame content, filling a gap in the range of options players can choose from at max level.

With more investigations on the way in Undermined, The war withinFollowing the 11.1 content patch, it's safe to say that Blizzard is supporting the addition. Delves has already found its niche as a solution to a long-standing problem Wow problem, but it could use some changes to sustain its continued development and relevance. To further cement the dives as a permanent pillar of Wow, Blizzard should look at them as an opportunity to reimplement beloved content and further diversify the content contained within.

Solo players needed sustainable content

Investigates the solution to an old MMO problem


Spider-infested railway dives into WoW

While MMO games thrive on their multiplayer component, there's no denying the sizable player base that engages with the games alone. Every MMO has this subset of players, and even though it may seem somewhat antithetical to the multiplayer aspect of MMO games, Creating content that solo players can interact with is critical to healthy gaming. WowThe game's recent success in this regard is already being seen through the enjoyment that solo players have in The war within.

MMO games often struggle with this goal. The endgame is usually centered around the group's content; Therefore, after the initial excitement of leveling up and exploring new zones, many players tend to leave. Delves was a perfect solution to this problem. Essentially acting as dungeons with increasing difficulty, more unique objectives, and an NPC companion to help fill roles in the party, they are a form of solo content that has the advantage of being replayable and challenging. Delves are a huge benefit to solo players and can offer everything the player is looking for from them, proving to be a great addition to The war within.

Penultimate bosses fill a hole in the wizard's tower

A seasonal challenge to strive for


WoW The War Within Underwater dives into swimming with sharks.

Zekvir was introduced to divers with the introduction of The war withinIt's the first season. For players who increase the investigation difficulty high enough, Zekvir and his lair serve as the final investigation to challenge them. It is the penultimate challenge of the first season's investigations, a fight that requires precision and planning, but is still entirely possible to do solo. Undermined brings with it a new final challenge, showing that Blizzard is interested in maintaining a seasonally changing final boss for players to fight.

These final bosses are a well-executed replacement for one of the most beloved Wow challenges, the wizard's tower Legion. Mage Tower was a specialization specific fight that had a similar challenge level to Zekvir, presenting a way for players of any style to show off their mastery over the game. The system was so popular that a brief reintroduction of the wizard tower excited much of the community. Although wizard towers have been left behind, top investigation bosses are a comparable form of content, a challenge that can be progressed over the course of a season.

Looking to the future, diving is the perfect place to experience new challenges. Next-gen multiplayer content is already full of things to do and rewards to climb, but solo content can always be improved. Thanks to the flexibility of the sizes of groups entering investigations, they are a form of content that can be easily enjoyed by all players. This inherent flexibility makes diving additions worthwhile for most players and would be further improved with the addition of challenging goals to maintain the playability of this new content pillar.

Delve goals should be even more creative

Delves need more distinction from dungeons

Another component that Blizzard should focus on is further diversifying the nature and objectives of investigations. Each investigation already contains multiple variants to keep them replayable, united by the same general aesthetic and supplementary mechanics. As a new foundation for the game's end-game content, Delves needs to go further and take its already creative design philosophy in even more unusual directions.

Delves should draw players to them, so a further distinction between them and traditional dungeons is essential to keep them interesting and engaging content as their freshness wears off. More puzzles, platforms, environmental hazards and unique scenarios they would all be fantastic options to keep investigations top of mind for players.

It remains to be seen how the new batch of investigations will be received in Undermined, but even if they don't cross any thresholds, Blizzard has plenty of time to ensure that the investigations can maintain their shine. Fundamentally, delves present a solution to a problem plaguing MMO games, and deserve to be properly maintained and developed further. World of Warcraft.

Released

November 23, 2004