[WoRBot]

Welcome to Instant Replay, your weekend look at World of Warcraft related videos of interest, whether it be a machinima or a boss kill. This time around we're taking a look at something many fans have been waiting quite a while for: Azerothian Super Villains Episode 7, the latest in a series of machinima from Ian Beckman, featuring some of the well-known villains during the Burning Crusade era. Check out the video here on Warcraft Movies, or the YouTube stream below, and then read on for our thoughts.

While Episode 7 doesn't quite live up to its predecessors, it does have its moments and introduces what feels like a multi-episode plot for the first time in the series' history, including some villains new to the machinima -- though we're all too familiar with them at this point. Unfortunately the characters aren't as memorable as past episodes, and perhaps it's due to it being a while since episode 6, but Illidan's voice acting doesn't seem to be the same as before which leaves a lot to be desired. It could also be the emotional overtones, but regardless he doesn't seem familiar.

However, Kael'thas is back and his voice is the same as ever; the rest of the supporting cast of villains return as well, though there's a bit of a twist in the plot which looks to be leading into an epic resolution in episode 8. Beckman promises that 8 will be the final in the series, so it's one worth keeping an eye out for.

Overall Azerothian Super Villains Episode 7 drops in at a 3 out of 5 rating-wise, primarily because it doesn't live up to previous episodes. One of the funniest moments was the intro and from there it was essentially one of those mid-season tv shows, that only serves to build up a plot for future episodes and nothing more. Still, it's worth a watch if you haven't yet, and it's certainly worth hanging around to see how episode 8 unfolds "in early 2010." Will Illidan and his band of villains finally take over Azeroth? Or will they finally meet their demise at the hands of unexpected circumstances?

Feel free to share your thoughts on what worked and what didn't in the comments as well!

[lora]

bahaha that was epic

[Deployed]

I think part of the issue with Illidan's voice was that the original recording for it was ruined (which is why it was released late). I don't know if Ian managed to fix that recording or if he had to re-record it. If it was the latter, chances are, he rushed it a bit because he was already late.

[Geschan]

Why do feature it on the front page when you thing yourself that this episode is mediocre?

[Deployed]

Community fan site giving attention to works by the community for the community. Kind of a "do something nice for the sake of being nice" deal.

[Xentropy]

Also: Thanksgiving weekend makes for some slow news days. Can't really blame them if there's not a single meaningful blue post for days. I'd rather see the community news than just no updates at all, personally. Even though I agree this last episode was mediocre, this reminded me of the series in general and I rewatched the first 6. Great stuff up until 7.

[Kody]

Geschan said:

Why do feature it on the front page when you thing yourself that this episode is mediocre?

Because a lot of people have been waiting for this that have followed the series, and I feel it deserves at least that. I've been a fan and even though I was a bit hard on it critically, it's worth watching to prepare for episode 8.