The environments are richer, with more depth and quality than ever before. Water effects are more animated, there are more frill effects (smoke, mist, spray, pollen), and there is a lot more life and activity. From both the Alliance and Horde starting points there is a sense that this is an invasion, you are on an expedition, and there is a lot of unknown to explore.Disappointing for some, but by restricting players to the ground in the initial phase of the game has enabled them to enjoy a lot of the new environment content that otherwise would have been flown over.

Early on, Blizzard signalled that players initially would be restricted to land based mounts for transport until level 77 when a new cold weather flying talent would become available. Some of the new vistas are positively stunning. Looking out to sea at haunted invasion ships, icebergs and frozen temples is positively breathtaking.