"An amazing real time strategy game, but still second to StarCraft..........."

WarCraft 2 is a huge improvement over WarCraft in every way. First, a refresher: this is a real time strategy game, which means you are on a map, controlling some type of army made up of many different units, each with their own attributes and abilities. There is an enemy, also with an army similar to your own, and there are limited amounts of neccessary resources on the playing field. But now, on to the game: Warcraft 2 has more levels, more units, better sound, graphics and gameplay than the first. You still choose to play as Humans or Orcs, but each race has more different units than the first time around, including water units for travel and battle there. This adds a third resource, oil, to the existing gold and lumber. There are 24 levels in the game, 12 for each the Humans and Orcs. Each one has a different objective, such as to build a certain number of a unit, rescue a character or simply destroy all traces of the enemy. This game can be played with other players with a modem.

Graphics: 9/10

Very bright, very colorful, very good. The characters are pretty big, and detailed. The structures are all great to look at.

Sound: 10/10

Wow. Some very impressive music here. Every track in the game is great. There are also a lot of sound effects, and a fair amount of voice. Units can be clicked on multiple times and respond to you a different way each time. Nice touch.

Gameplay: 10/10

Nearly flawless. Units now move at the speed they should, and up to nine can be selected at once, meaning gathering and sending in a large army is now easier. There are many more characters than in the land game, including several water units for each race. The 24 levels is pretty good, though some are very easy. Scattered on some maps are wild boars, seals and sheep, and they are known as "critters". Their sole purpose is to be slaughtered innocently. You have to love sadism like that. Playing with friends is great. Another excellent addition is that of the Scenario Editor, which lets you create your own levels. Basically, you can create another game of your own. Think of the Track Editor in Excitebike but multiply the options by 50.

Replay: 10/10

You'll probably be trying to finish both the Human and Orc campaigns for quite some time, and after that you'll spend lots of time playing friends. If you ever get tired of that, the Scenario Editor will take up yet more time in your life.

Overall: 9/10

Maybe this game deserved a 10, but I only gave it 9 because StarCraft is even better. Don't get me wrong, you definitely should play this game, even if you already have StarCraft. It truly is a gaming masterpiece.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99