World of Warcraft: Cataclysm vs World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is the third expansion set for the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) World of Warcraft. It was released on December 7, 2010, and introduced a new level cap of 85, two new playable races, and a dramatic change to the game's world as a result of the return of the dragon aspect Deathwing.
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade expands the beloved MMORPG with the new continent of Outland, introducing two new playable races, the Blood Elf and the Draenei, and raising the level cap to 70. Players can explore floating cities, ancient temples, and hostile wastelands while engaging in epic storylines that deepen the Warcraft lore. The expansion adds challenging raids, new PvP battlegrounds, and a host of quality-of-life improvements such as flying mounts and upgraded talent trees, offering both veteran and new players fresh content and reasons to return to Azeroth’s ever‑growing world.
- Engaging gameplay
- Rich storyline
- Large open world to explore
- Regular updates with new content
- Rich new continent with diverse zones
- Introduces two new playable races
- Flying mounts add vertical exploration
- Challenging raids for end‑game content
- Steep learning curve
- Requires a subscription to play
- Some players may find the gameplay repetitive
- Requires ongoing subscription
- Leveling can feel grindy for newcomers
- Some zones feel repetitive after extended play
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
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Venture into Northrend to confront the Lich King and shape Azeroth’s destiny
Enter the shattered realms of Outland in WoW's first expansion.
Alternatives to World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade
View all →Venture into Northrend to confront the Lich King and shape Azeroth’s destiny
Epic fantasy MMO where heroes clash in massive battles for glory
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataWorld of Warcraft: Cataclysm is the safer, higher-rated default choice with a critic score of 89/100, while The Burning Crusade offers an older, lower-rated expansion experience (75/100) focused on Outland. Both require a paid subscription and share the same $39.99 MSRP.
Key differences
- •Critic Score: Cataclysm scores higher at 89/100 compared to The Burning Crusade's 75/100.
- •Level Cap: Cataclysm raises the cap to 85, whereas The Burning Crusade raises it to 70.
- •New Races: Cataclysm introduces Goblin and Worgen races; The Burning Crusade introduces Blood Elf and Draenei.
- •World Changes: Cataclysm features a drastically redesigned Azeroth due to Deathwing, while The Burning Crusade introduces the floating continent of Outland.
- •Guild Features: Cataclysm introduces a new guild leveling system, which is not mentioned in The Burning Crusade features.
Gameplay & fun factor
Cataclysm provides engaging gameplay with an 89/100 critic score, outperforming The Burning Crusade's 75/100 score.
Platform availability
Both games are developed by Blizzard Entertainment and require a paid subscription, though specific platforms are not specified.
Price & value
Both games share the exact same MSRP of $39.99 and require an ongoing paid subscription to play.
Multiplayer / co-op
Both are Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games supporting multiplayer activities.
Content & replayability
Cataclysm features a new guild leveling system, redesigned world zones, and a higher level cap of 85.
Difficulty & accessibility
The Burning Crusade has a lower level cap (70) and flying mounts for traversal, whereas Cataclysm has a steep learning curve.
Graphics & performance
Cataclysm features improved graphics and sound design with new animations and sound effects not highlighted in The Burning Crusade.
Choose World of Warcraft: Cataclysm if…
Players seeking higher critic reviews (89/100), a higher level cap of 85, and a redesigned Azeroth.
Choose World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade if…
Players wanting to experience the classic Outland continent with a level cap of 70 and flying mounts.
Common questions
How much do these games cost?
Both World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade and Cataclysm have an MSRP of $39.99 and both require a paid ongoing subscription to play.
What are the level cap differences?
The Burning Crusade raises the level cap to 70, while Cataclysm raises the level cap to 85.
Which game has better critic reviews?
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm received a higher critic score of 89/100, compared to The Burning Crusade's score of 75/100.