Summary
A new mini-game puzzle inWorld of Warcraft: The War Withinlooks strikingly similar to the oldBioshockpipe hacking puzzles. While the mechanics are not exactly the same, these optionalWorld of Warcraftpuzzles will be a nostalgia trip for fans of the originalBioShock.
The War Withinis finally here, bringing with it new story chapters, dungeon and raid battles, and an increase tothe level cap forWorld of Warcraftcharacters.WoW’s 10th expansion also adds the continent of Khaz Algar, currently divided into four zones: the Isle of Dorn, the Ringing Deeps, Hallowfall, and Azj-Kahet.
Whileexploring the Ringing Deeps inWoW: The War Within, fans can encounter a puzzle reminiscent of an iconic mechanic fromBioShock. In multiple places during the optional side quests and exploration achievements, players are tasked with sliding pieces of pipeline to make an unbroken connection between two points. This style of puzzle may be familiar toBioShockfans, as it utilizes a similar minigame when hacking into cameras and vending machines in the FPS.WoWplayer Rebelhero shared their own encounter with these new puzzles alongside a screenshot of one of the harder examples on Reddit.
BioShock-Style Pipe Puzzles in WoW: The War Within
There are at least two examples of this puzzle in the game right now. While completing the side quests in the Ringing Deeps, fans are asked to help Fourman Grimes integrate the kobolds into theAssembly of the Deeps Renown faction inWoW: The War Within. During the Plumber Power quest, players must complete a series of these pipe-shifting puzzles. There is also a much harder version of this puzzle that must be completed for the Blocked Intake treasure – and unlike the sidequest, which has a bypass option, it cannot be automatically completed.
Of course, this newWorld of Warcraftpuzzle isn’t exactly like itsBioShockcounterpart.The hacking puzzle inBioShock, inspired byPipe Maniafrom 1989, was on a time limit, with players frantically trying to rotate the pipe ahead of a flow of liquid that inflicted damage or other consequences if it spilled. TheWoWversion has no such timer, and features sliding pipes instead of rotating ones, so fans can take their time without worrying about a fail state.
Needless to say, fans got a kick out of this puzzle. While some preferred theBioShockoriginal, many were simply happy thatWorld of Warcraftadded these optional puzzles in the first place. Unfortunately, players who don’t like puzzles won’t be able to skip the pipe puzzle if they want to get every treasure in the Ringing Deeps, but their fellow fans gave plenty of tips on how to complete it in the comments, so those struggling to find the solution aren’t completely out of luck.
World of Warcraft: The War Within
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In this opening chapter of The Worldsoul Saga, you’ll journey through never-before-seen subterranean worlds filled with hidden wonders and lurking perils, down to the dark depths of the Nerubian empire, where the inscrutable Harbinger of the Void has gathered her arachnid forces to bring Azeroth to its knees.
