Your physical guide to the unexplored realm
UNBOXING: 'World of Warcraft: Shadowlands' Collector's Edition
It's hard to ignore that a ton of video game releases – especially PC exclusives and Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) – are going the digital route, available for download only via a game client or website. It's actually a great distribution model for companies, especially during this time, and a way for gamers to save shelf space for their growing library of games.
However, there's still a tinge of nostalgia left for physical box releases, especially for those big box PC games that occupied store shelves. Nothing beats holding the game in your hands, contained within a box that may hold more than just the game disc. That tactile, tangible feel of taking out the game case, flipping through a thick manual (Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, anyone?), or checking to see what goodies in the form of posters, figures, comics, or other ephemera was included.
Those days are sadly gone now and your room space, for better or worse, thanks you for it. Still, from time to time, a game company will release some kind of special edition which includes all manner of trinkets. This is mostly true for video game home console releases, but PC games are in on the physical action as well.
With the release of their latest expansion for World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment made a companion collector's edition which contains an epic amount of supplemental content to make any dedicated WoW fan happy.
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is the eighth and latest expansion to the immensely-popular WoW series. In this new game which released in late November, the heroes of the Horde and Alliance "will come face-to-face with the mysteries of death as they journey through the next world’s wondrous realms."
It's no coincidence that Shadowlands went live on Nov. 23, marking the 16th anniversary of the release of the original WoW. With the expansion – which is availed of digitally – comes an optional physical collector's edition box which can be purchased separately and contains the "Epic Ediion" of the game.
Big Box Energy
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Collector's Edition box.
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Collector's Edition box.
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The World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Collector's Edition comes in a large, solid cardboard box. The game's primary artwork and logos are presented in hologaphic foil on the front and back. The spine indicates that it is, indeed, the "Collector's Edition" and also has the sigils of the four Covenants adorning it.
There is a significant weight to the box for it contains a rather thick art book inside.
'The Art of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands' art book.
'The Art of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands' art book.
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Opening up the box we see a decorative Warcraft "W" logo on the left, and The Art of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands art book on the right, resting on a plastic tray with a black, soft felt surface.
The hefty book contains various artwork used in-game, and character and environment designs.
Shattered Sky mousepad.
Epic Edition game and digital soundtrack keys envelope; and four-pin collector's set of the Covenant sigils.
Shattered Sky mousepad.
Epic Edition game and digital soundtrack keys envelope; and four-pin collector's set of the Covenant sigils.
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Lifting out the art book we see that beneath it is the Shattered Sky mouse pad. The pad's surface area is very sizeable, and the colorful artwork depicts the moment when Sylvanas shattered the veil between worlds.
Once you lift and take out the mouse pad there's even more underneath: an envelope containing the Epic Edition game code and digital sountrack key.
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Epic Edition game and digital soundtrack keys.
The sigils of the four Covenants in a four-pin collector's set.
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Epic Edition game and digital soundtrack keys.
The sigils of the four Covenants in a four-pin collector's set.
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Inside the beautifully-designed black envelope adorned with gold foil is the Epic Edition's game code and digital soundtrack key.
With the Epic Edition, you get:
- Ensorcelled Everwyrm mount: Set off on your next adventure on a supernatural being of pure anima.
- Anima Wyrmling pet: Explore the afterlife alongside your new companion.
- Vestments of the Eternal Traveler: Use your Everwyrm to begin a quest for the Vestments of the Eternal Traveler, an all-new transmog set.
- Wraithchill cosmetic weapon: Unlock a chilling new cosmetic effect for your weapon. As with other Illusions, Wraithchill can be applied only to certain weapon types.
- Eternal Traveler’s Hearthstone: Return to your Hearthstone bind location with a reality-bending cosmetic effect.
- Shadowlands-Level Character Boost: Instantly boost a single character to be ready for Shadowlands-level content.
Also included is 30 days of game time.
Lastly, contributing to the weight of the Collector's Edition are a four-pin collector's set of Covenant sigils. These represent the individual Covenants to be encountered in-game and are made of solid die-cast metal. These four pins have some heft to them and are crafted beautifully.
A treasure trove of goodies
Check out the lore in the art book or proudly show off the pins to fellow players, making known which Covenant you've sworn allegiance to. Whenever you can wrench yourself away from the keyboard after playing World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, this collector's edition box is a great resource that one can reference and a beautiful addition to any game room.
Download a copy of the Epic Edition right here.
A big "Thank You" to Blizzard Entertainment for sending over the World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Collector's Edition box.