Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Saros review
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Delta Force giveaway
  1. Games
  2. MMO
  3. World of Warcraft
  4. World of Warcraft: Cataclysm

World of Warcraft Cataclysm comparison screens

Features
By Andy_Salisbury published 8 July 2010

WoW's landscape will be torn asunder. See what the new Azeroth will look like

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Azeroth, as we know it today, will be torn asunder once World of Warcraft: Cataclysm releases. Having sat dormant for decades, Deathwing is finally breaking his shackles, dipping his paintbrush in the inkwell of destruction and doing his best Bob Ross impression with both Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms acting as his canvases (no more happy little trees, unfortunately).

Check out these comparison screens from the Cataclysm beta to see what the new WoW will look like once Deathwing arrives on the scene…

Kalimdor


Orgrimmar

Article continues below

The new Warchief of the Horde, Garrosh Hellscream, will waste no time bolstering the defenses of Orgrimmar. By reinforcing walls made of stone and wood with dark iron (exactly like Warsong Hold, found in Northrend), the once drab city gets a meaner look. In the interest of security, he also moved the goblin zeppelin towers from outside the city, to the inside.


Above: Before Cataclysm


Above: After Cataclysm


Above: Before Cataclysm

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.


Above: After Cataclysm


Above: Before Cataclysm


Above: After Cataclysm


Above: Before Cataclysm


Above: After Cataclysm


The Barrens


After Deathwing tears a great fissure through the landscape, The Barrens will split into the Northern and Southern Barrens. While it remains mostly, well... barren, there are several locations that are now flush with wildlife thanks to the druids.


Above: Before Cataclysm


Above: After Cataclysm

Located in the Southern Barrens is Camp Taurajo, a longtime outpost for the tauren. It will be burnt to the ground and taken over by invading Alliance forces.


Above: Before Cataclysm


Above: After Cataclysm


Above: Before Cataclysm


Above: After Cataclysm


Stonetalon Mountains

The Stonetalon Mountains have always been an essential zone for leveling members of the Horde and Alliance and it's about to see some big changes. Most notably, it appears that the night elf obelisk from Desolace, Ethel Rethor, will be moved to Stonetalon. While this isn't something we can confirm one way or another, the evidence sure does speak loudly.


Above: Before Cataclysm


Above: After Cataclysm

The currently peaceful trek up to the moonwell of Stonetalon Peak will also change drastically. Night elven protectors are locked in a skirmish with members of the Horde, and for good reason. It would appear that some ominous invading tentacles have desecrated their moonwell.


Above: Before Cataclysm


Above: After Cataclysm


Above: Before Cataclysm


Above: After Cataclysm

Head to the next page for a close look at the changes in Thousand Needles and Tanaris.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Current page: Page 1

Next Page Page 2
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Platforms
Andy_Salisbury
Latest in World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft Blizzard apologizes for the World of Warcraft bugs after new patch leaves fans annoyed and concerned for the future
 
 
Leeroy Jenkins in Hearthstone
World of Warcraft WoW's Prop Hunt mode descends into chaos as players are able to find each other using their minimaps
 
 
An orc from World of Warcraft roars at the screen
World of Warcraft Blizzard lawsuit kills huge private World of Warcraft server as a cease and desist ends another
 
 
World of Warcraft Classic Burning Crusade
World of Warcraft WoW Classic kills dungeon-boosting in Burning Crusade expansion because, oh no, the economy
 
 
Key art for World of Warcraft: Midnight.
World of Warcraft WoW's current storyline is "like a Saturday morning cartoon," former Blizzard quest designer says
 
 
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft WoW lead asks how players would feel about playing on controller, fans fear it'll "get worse" on PC
 
 
Latest in Features
Vampire Crawlers screenshots taken on Nintendo Switch, showing card-based roguelite gameplay
Roguelike Games Vampire Survivors meets first-person deckbuilding in my new handheld obsession
 
 
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced key art showing protagonist Edward Kenway pointing dual wielding pistols
Assassin's Creed The 5 biggest changes coming to Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
 
 
In Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, protagonist Edward Kenway lies in wait with his hidden blade for a guard to approach around a corner
Assassin's Creed 13 years on, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is finally fixing the biggest problem I had with the original
 
 
G'raha Tia looks distantly in a trailer for Final Fantasy 14 Stormblood
Final Fantasy As Final Fantasy 14 looks to the future, I hope Square Enix remembers the quest that got me excited for Dawntrail
 
 
Lucas, Dustin, Will, and Mike in Stranger Things: Tales From '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 gives us the epic final showdown we deserved in season 5 – and there's not even a Demogorgon in sight
 
 
Antony Starr as Homelander in The Boys season 5 trailer
Superhero Shows The Boys season 5, episode 4 recap: Easter eggs, cameos, and who dies
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Overwatch 2 sombra emp animation blizzard image
    1
    Overwatch Season 2's first balance patch targets Roadhog and Sombra yet again to players' dismay: "Just change after change every 2 minutes"
  2. 2
    Vampire Crawlers is exactly the evolution I want from Poncle and it's my new handheld obsession
  3. 3
    Get your first look at some of the cutest Pokemon cards I've ever seen in this exclusive reveal
  4. 4
    All Pragmata Mass Production Array collectibles for 100% completion
  5. 5
    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Gustave actor Charlie Cox thinks the money people would prefer Glen Powell play his role in the film, but he'd take "a smaller role" instead

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...