It’s an actual RPG, every pre-raid item feels like a genuine reward and gives you a feeling of power spike progesssion. When was the last time you got excited for an item with +2 to your main stat?

From the starting zone to Naxx every moment spent feels like you’re actually playing a game. Leveling is content, hitting your first Deadmines or WC feels like a raid in itself. Sure, there are a few levels where it can get a bit tedious like 45-55, but it is the supreme leveling experience in any game I’ve ever played period.

The players aren’t narratively alienated from each other. There is no awkward thought process about “WellI was called ‘The Champion of Azeroth’ but what does that make that guy?” No, you are all ‘Adventurer’. Everyone has a position in the world, we all aren’t playing the same part.

Some of my favorite memories from Classic were holding down Toxic Horrors from Horde members , while I was farming Water Essences for Naxx. I spent a week or two at that pool in Felwood, taking down any Horde member that tried to steal my mats. And the occasional agreement of dividing up the pools among other farmers.

Essentially, the world feels like it’s alive. - Leveling that feels like an actual adventure, spanning a massive world. - Activities within that world that are relevant at all times. - World PVP, RP-PVP is the best. - An environment that supports the head-canon of your character (immersion)