Blizzard's New Sylvanas Cinematic Has 'Warcraft' Fans Happy And Upset For Different Reasons

World of Warcraft has released a new cinematic centered around the main character Sylvanas Windrunner, attempting to give more context to her actions and show the other main character's reactions and reflection on everything leading up to this point in the story for Shadowlands.

The cinematic was supposed to be the first step in a redemption arc for Sylvanas, who was given her original elf skin and focused on empathy. Unfortunately, the community did not take too kindly to this cinematic and its attempts at reconciling the character.

Fans: "The problem with Calia is that she does not share the Forsaken experience with them. None of their trauma and struggle."

Blizz: "So we went ahead and reset Sylvanas' soul to a period in her life where-"

— Sereven (@Valestrider) December 8, 2021

Soo… I've said it before, but as a Forsaken player that has always loved Sylvanas and very much identified with the Undead

That's not my mom pic.twitter.com/LzZ8eEopRk

— 💙 Blue, #1 Jawless Undead Enjoyer 👻 💙 (@Wise_Thighs) December 8, 2021

So basically… the Sylvanas we all thought we knew has had no character agency since she died?

— Vaknosh 💙 (@Vaknosh) December 8, 2021

Sylvanas be like:

"bUt THe JAiLer mAdE mE dO iT!" pic.twitter.com/HLUUFKvxVz

— ⚔Trisliana⚔ (@TrislianaWoW) December 8, 2021

While there were plenty of people upset at how this retcon essentially eliminated both Sylvanas's agency, as well as attempted to resolve her of past issues by making it The Jailer who chose to do those atrocities, there were some people who were happy with the cinematic. The main reason was that a newly made character model for "Elven Sylvanas" was made, and everyone loved how she looked. However, not everyone was happy with their once undead banshee queen possibly returning to a normal elven look.

Okay, new alive Sylvanas is hot pic.twitter.com/9IiMdFVAno

— Stanisgrox | Commissions open (@stanisgrox) December 8, 2021

I’m so obsessed with Ranger General Sylvanas it’s not even funny 🥺💜💜 pic.twitter.com/NfQ1ADlYbs

— 💙 Kira of Revendreth 💙 (@Darkladycosplay) December 8, 2021

Me at the fake nice pretty innocent Sylvanas who's going to take the Banshee Queen's place pic.twitter.com/1vbHid8rYN

— Spoiler-Free Rasek (@buff_moogle) December 8, 2021

Something the cinematic didn't touch on was expanding the story, which is something that many players are still frustrated with, as the storyline for Shadowlands is being largely received as the worst expansion of WoW to date. With a multitude of retcons, throwaway moments with older beloved characters and a villain with still unclear motivations and goals, the cinematic did nothing to alleviate the concerns of the community that the 9.2 patch was rushed and will not conclude everything nicely.

Y'know what sucks? Zovaal as the mastermind behind most of Azeroth's woes isn't inherently bad. They COULD have built to him overtime – the Scourge, Legion, even Sylvanas all could have been given their day back in the sun to allude to him.

But they just wanted their Thanos now.

— 🅱️en Grandblade 🌱💙 (@BenGrandblade) December 6, 2021

Just got done watching the new Sylvanas cinematic and pic.twitter.com/d9wr5RsNvr

— Salkini is Posting Endwalker Spoilers! (@Salk1ni) December 8, 2021

If you people think Sylvanas needs redemption, you can just as well go to therapy too like-…

She committed genocide. Not only for the night elf but gilnean/worgen too.

She needs to be on prison or death. That's the only two options and I won't accept another.

— 🌱 KariWase / Linora 💙 (@KariWase) December 8, 2021

So yeah they retconned Sylvanas' stab site (as I fucking said so)

— festive v'rynn (@valarynn) December 8, 2021