Experienced players will find that WoW: Cataclysm raises the player level cap from 80 to 85. The two previous expansions have brought with them ten new player levels each (61 to 70 in ( Macworld rated 4.5 out of 5 mice ), and 71 to 80 in ), but Cataclysm has only half as many. That doesn't mean there's less content than other expansions, though--in fact, Blizzard has concentrated this go-round on more end-game content, including several new level 85-only dungeons, and new heroic versions of two classic dungeons, The Deadmines and Shadowfang Keep.

In addition to new high-level content, Blizzard has also reworked the lands throughout all of Azeroth, with new storylines and physical changes in virtually every area, and new achievements for even high-level players doing these low-level quests.

The new stories ease the experience of creating new level-one characters, and having to walk through those same quests over (and over, and over) again--who hasn't already taken down Stitches in Duskwood at least a half dozen times? When you decide to roll a new Worgen or Goblin (or any other race), the mid-level running around is less painful, sometimes even interesting (at least the first time around), with new in-game characters and quests. But while it's less painful, the mid-level grinding is still just that, a grind.

Speaking of the new races, the first five levels of the green-tinged, pointy-eared Goblin race are worth the entire price of admission for the Cataclysm expansion. Blinking neon lights, a car to drive within the first five minutes of gameplay, Champagne pool parties, soccer games, all before you reach level five. (My teenage son peeked over my shoulder and wondered if I was playing Disney's Toontown or Banjo Kazooie, rather than World of Warcraft. I think he's on to something there.)