In Tides of Darkness, you feel like you’re actually the commander of a regiment of soldiers in a large war, and though you affect the immediate situation, the outcome is decided by many other battles, and subtle details. They even have the start of what we know as ‘Hero characters’, stronger units that you have to protect and have some importance to the storyline. Each side has its own unique feel to it, and you grow strategies around it. Sea battles, ground battles, they’re equally important for overall victory.
The expansion, Beyond the Dark Portal, was fantastic. The Horde, though supposedly weakened by their defeat, is not to be underestimated, and the Alliance has little to no chance to control the pace of the war until the very end. Battling between worlds has never been so fierce, and in the end, both sides feel victorious. The Alliance has prevented their world from being annihilated..and the Horde has a multitude of other worlds to conquer.
This is war, and you are a commander. If your skills in this ancient craft aren’t at least equal to your enemy, death and disgrace is all that awaits you..