Sheldon

Please be advised that this post contains spoilers from Wizard101’s newest world, Empyrea. November 2017 saw the addition of part 1 of the final story in Old Cob’s arc with the world of Empyrea. What’s different about this world – and consistent with the past worlds in Old Cob’s worlds (Polaris and Mirage) is that KingsIsle continues to push the boundaries of what the worlds can do, in terms of story, graphics and gameplay.

The graphics quality since the addition of Polaris has increased to almost match that of Pirate101, take a look at a comparison below. When the game first started out the graphics were designed to run on the very simplest of machines with limited capabilities.

However, as it has aged over the years computers, even the cheapest and most limited, can handle a lot more than what they could. This has allowed KingsIsle to improve the graphics of the newest worlds and catch us all in awe – it really is stunning to look at. Perhaps in the future we’ll see a complete graphics overhaul from Wizard City to Empyrea (which, albeit, would require A LOT of work -but I think we can agree that it would pay off).

A rather interesting minor cosmetic change was also introduced. Empyrean loading screens replaced the standard red wizard vs blue wizard loading screen that we have all come to know and love, giving an extra level of depth and uniqueness to the world. In the Spring 2018 update, Wizard101 updated all of the worlds with their own unique loading screens, which you can see here in our test realm recap post.

In addition to an increase in graphics quality, the story itself has, to me, seen an improvement as well. From the start of the Empyrean quest line, we’re thrusted into an action-packed cinematic sequence on the Ark as we travel across the spiral. The sequence is like watching a movie within the game, take a look for yourself below. Empyrea has tonnes of these cinematic sequences, including when we encounter Khan in Aerial Shores and later on near Sycorax’s Tower, and the Bat in the Bat Cave and at the end of Part 1 in the Astral Plane following Mellori’s rescue.

Back in January and April, KI Live teased the Renee Wooften questlines and announcing that Wizard City would receive a cosmetic update and in June, we got teasers for what this update would like and in July, we finally got to see the renovations completed. Take a Look below. 

The renovations look amazing, everything is so much bigger, brighter, bigger and cleaner. Of all the areas updated, I think Ravenwood’s update is my favourite as the trees take a more upfront role next to the school with effects and noises to match. The Commons got the most work, particularly starring the new Library which gets a much deserved grander entrance way.

Heading into Wizard101’s TENTH birthday (named Decaversary), there’s plenty more in store for us this September, but for new and current players, the latest renovations are surely to give Wizard101 a boost into the future.

What do you think of the update? Do you prefer the classic wizard city or the new updated wizard city, tell me below!