The Warcraft series of games are set in the Warcraft Universe. This universe is a fantasy setting that was first introduced in "Warcraft: Orcs & Humans" back in 1994. The previous release was "Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne." World of Warcraft takes place four years after the final events in Warcraft III.

** Rise to the challenge or die

If you are looking for a game that will provide a serious challenge as well as hours and hours of enjoyment, WoW is perfect for you. Some people claim it even makes you smarter, sharper and quicker on your feet because it is so demanding.

WoW will keep you busy for hours on end because there is almost no limit to the tasks and objectives it challenges you to perform. You may be surprised to find how open-ended it is. So if you like games with a definite "conclusion" you may be disappointed by World of Warcraft.

Reaching the 60th level is about the closest you will come to completing the game. But getting to that point is not easy. Very few, relatively speaking, have accomplished that feat.

** Breaking into World of Warcraft

The early levels in WoW are fairly straightforward. They give you the opportunity to get to know the game and to get a feel for how it is played. That means the learning curve is not as steep as with some other games. WoW's difficulty factor progresses gradually, and soon you will find yourself confronted with new and more difficult challenges.

Each level of World of Warcraft has many quests. Completing or fulfilling one quest often leads directly to another. For instance your quest may be something simple like gathering items and then transporting them through a series of obstacles to a previously unknown destination. That may then lead to something more substantial such as solving a mystery you find when you get to your destination.

** Learning to overcome your opponents

As the name implies, World of Warcraft has its share of warfare, combat and fighting. This often involves overcoming an unending string of monsters and opponents of various shapes and sizes. Your skill as a warrior improves as you learn what works and what doesn't.

But your opponents also grow stronger, more clever, and more devious as you progress through the game. They do not just come at you with their weapons and brute strength, but have other ways of defeating you - through curses, or even infecting you with deadly diseases. Each new challenge requires skill and resourcefulness on your part.

That means that a successful player must develop many skills as he or she goes along. And these skills will vary depending on your character. They include such things as the appropriate use of magic, tracking opponents and beasts on maps, launching missles at opponents, and creating portals so you can move yourself out of harm's way.

Give World of Warcraft a try. Like millions of other online gamers, you will probably find it exciting, entertaining and challenging.