World of Warcraft’s latest expansion, The War Within, brings a nostalgic twist with the introduction of BioShock-inspired pipe puzzles in the new Ringing Deeps zone. These puzzles offer players optional challenges reminiscent of BioShock’s iconic hacking minigame but without the pressure of a time limit. Instead of rotating pipes under a ticking clock, WoW players will slide pipe segments to connect pathways at their own pace, providing a fresh yet familiar experience for fans of both games.
As WoW expands its universe with new zones and mechanics, players can expect more unique and engaging content.
Key Takeaways
- WoW”s new War Within expansion features BioShock-inspired pipe puzzles in the Ringing Deeps zone.
- These puzzles add optional challenges for fans, reminiscent of the iconic BioShock minigame.
- While similar, the WoW puzzles lack a time limit and use sliding pipes instead of rotating ones.
A new mini-game puzzle in World of Warcraft: The War Within looks strikingly similar to the old Bioshock pipe hacking puzzles. While the mechanics are not exactly the same, these optional World of Warcraft puzzles will be a nostalgia trip for fans of the original BioShock.
The War Within is finally here, bringing with it new story chapters, dungeon and raid battles, and an increase to the level cap for World of Warcraft characters. 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.
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One World of Warcraft Fan Might Have Found The War Within”s Next Zone
A World of Warcraft fan discovers a curious easter egg in The War Within that could be a huge clue towards what the next zone might be.
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While exploring the Ringing Deeps in WoW: The War Within, fans can encounter a puzzle reminiscent of an iconic mechanic from BioShock. 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 to BioShock fans, as it utilizes a similar minigame when hacking into cameras and vending machines in the FPS. WoW player 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 the Assembly of the Deeps Renown faction in WoW: 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.Close
Of course, this new World of Warcraft puzzle isn’t exactly like its BioShock counterpart. The hacking puzzle in BioShock, inspired by Pipe Mania from 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. The WoW version 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 the BioShock original, many were simply happy that World of Warcraft added 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
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.
Franchise
Warcraft
Base Game
World of Warcraft
Platform(s)
PC
Released
August 26, 2024
Developer(s)
Blizzard
Publisher(s)
Blizzard
Genre
MMORPGExpand
See at Battle.Net
