i must be in the minority because i adore every zone. Each zone has a different feel and pace to it which i love. i also applaud how they all are evocative of classic zones/races/characters that havent been seen in a while. Tauren that you could interact with were last seen in Wrath. The last time i saw a wildkin that wasnt a Boomkin was in Vanilla. Kobolds. i last hung out with Nathanos like 7 years ago (felt good when you catch up to him later in Stormheim and says to you "Finally someone competent is here." Coming from that bastard that means alot lol).
I can see a lot of shared design ideas between them. Visually there is a lot to love, but I am not really sold on some of these zones. Callbacks are nice and all, but some of these zones sorely lack ambition or variety. Heading back to the Cataclysm zones for the Shaman artifact quests was a harsh reminder of that. I'll try to write up something more extensive tomorrow.
I don't know what you are talking about but Val'sharah is one of the most beautiful zones in WoW and the story in that zone is awesome and impactful, completely disagree with you.
I just cannot stand the story personally. Xavius is a terrible villain, and the zone gives absolutely zero perspective into his motivations, history, or personality. He is the most boring brand of mustache twirler. There is very little plotting or planning, you just have Night Elves brashly chasing Xavius. Main cast is super weak as a result, and the side cast might as we'll be nonexistent. Throw in weak quests that lack stand out moments, and the painfully weak visual interpretation for the corruption and you have what might be the weakest zone in Legion, and it ends on a sour note with the dreadful Darkheart Thicket.
The saving grace is Black Rook Hold and the surrounding area, but this is a very linear zone that poorly leverages the location. You have this Druidic enclave and they don't get involved in the story at all...like seriously?
