Photo review of the collector's edition of World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth
Not long ago and completely unexpectedly, I had the fortune of becoming the owner of the collector's edition of the expansion to [World of Warcraft](/games?search=World of Warcraft) 'Battle for Azeroth'. The condition for it coming to me was simple – to do a photo review and tell what is inside the box. And since this was the first collector's edition from the great and terrible Blizzard that your humble servant had the opportunity to hold in my hands, I agreed, so to speak, without looking.
As far as I can judge, the collector's edition of the seventh expansion to [World of Warcraft](/games?search=World of Warcraft) does not differ much from its predecessors and corresponds well to their general design and content concept. The size of the packaging, the style of decoration, the way of opening – in this Blizzard continues to maintain enviable consistency, and if you already have the coveted boxes with the game itself and the six previously released addons on your shelf, then 'Battle for Azeroth' will fit perfectly into their company. Only the color will differ and the emblem on the side.
Inside the box, we are first greeted, as usual, by a printed edition. However, this is not a familiar art book, but two novellas compiled under a single cover, telling the story of the burning of Teldrassil from the perspective of each of the factions involved in the conflict. The book, and this is its main feature, is double-sided. Starting to read it from one side, you will get acquainted with the story from the Alliance's perspective. Flip it over, and you can learn the truth as seen by the Horde. Accordingly, both sides of the cover, which are otherwise completely identical, differ in the symbol depicted on them – just so that no one feels offended, neither those playing for the Alliance nor those ready to tear apart for the Horde. Parity of factions and respectful attitude toward supporters of each of them – this, I think, could be the motto of this edition.
The book included in the collector's edition belongs to the category of gift editions – thick paper of a beige hue (styled like an ancient tome), illustrations, and the initial pages of chapters decorated with vignettes. Unfortunately, it is not translated. Only English – only hardcore.
However, if the bourgeois language is unknown to you, you can download electronic versions of both novellas in Russian in pdf format. The downsides of these versions are the lack of illustrations and the inability to hold them in your hands. The upsides – accessibility (no download code required) and the native language.
A brief instruction telling where and how to obtain the texts in the great and mighty language resembles a bookmark and is, again, double-sided – for the Alliance and for the Horde.
Under the album with the novellas, in special recesses covered with a velvety coating, are hidden the expansion, the soundtrack for it, and a commemorative physical trophy. So far, so typical, you might think? Well, not quite. Unlike the editions of previous addons, the collector's edition of 'Battle for Azeroth' does not have discs. The game and music are presented as flyers with codes that can be activated on the corresponding web pages. Both are placed in a stylish black envelope with the game's golden emblem on the front and golden emblems of the factions on the inner flaps.
On the flyer with the expansion code, there is a brief quick start guide, and on the flyer with the soundtrack code – a list of tracks and the composers who worked on them. Another flyer included in the collector's edition is placed under the envelope and contains information about which Blizzard games can be played for free.
Instead of the traditional mouse pad, this time collectors will receive a double-sided medallion with the faction emblems. By the way, it is metal and heavy. As they say, when you hold it, you feel it's a thing. A plastic stand for the medallion is also included. The box for it – made of black cardboard, decorated with a golden game emblem – is located under the envelope with the game's and soundtrack's flyers.
On the back of the box with the stand, there is a gold instruction on how to assemble it. It seems that the designer who worked on the layout of the collector's edition approached his work creatively. The stand literally assembles in a jiffy with minimal effort, and when assembled, it does not wobble or shake; it holds firmly. I would say it is easier to assemble than to disassemble, as tightly do the parts connect with each other.
What side to turn the medallion towards you is entirely up to you. But whichever you choose, it will look great on both a shelf and a desk. And, in my opinion, it is definitely better than a mouse pad. Let’s face it, while it has no functionality, it does provide more aesthetic pleasure than the mat.
In addition to the tangible bonuses, owners of the collector's edition of 'Battle for Azeroth' will receive virtual in-game gifts in the style of the Alliance and the Horde. There are many of them, they are diverse and intended not only for [World of Warcraft](/games?search=World of Warcraft). A full list is provided on the back of the collector's box.
This is what the collector's edition of 'Battle for Azeroth' looks like. Somewhat traditional, typical for expansions to [World of Warcraft](/games?search=World of Warcraft), somewhat unusual, but overall very pleasant. And for true fans, it is a must-have.
The collector's edition of the expansion to [World of Warcraft](/games?search=Warld of Warcraft) 'Battle for Azeroth' was provided for review by SoftClub, for which I am enormously grateful.