Starcraft

"The best real time strategy game ever made"

StarCraft is a real time strategy game. If you don't know what that is by now, take a look at my WarCraft or WarCraft 2 review to find out. It is also the best one ever made, beating out WarCraft 2 for that title. This game takes place in space, and features three very different races: Terrans, essentially humans who have been exiled from Earth, Zerg, vicious aliens who use no buildings but instead rely completely on organic structures, and Protoss, also aliens, but smarter than the Zerg and owners of psychic powers. Much more so than WarCraft 2, the races are very different. Terrans are better suited for defense, while Zerg are offensive machines. Protoss may be the best of the three races, and are equally adept at both offense and defense. There are land and air units. As well, certain air units cannot shoot land units and vice versa. There's more: some units can now cloak, meaning they basically turn invisible and can wreak havoc unharmed, unless you have a cloak detector which is a unit that makes cloaked units visible. Some structures have the ability to upgrade weapons and armor of other units. The game boasts 30 levels, ten each for Protoss, Terran and Zerg. It also actually has a story, which progresses very nicely and is tied in well with the acutal game objectives. The Scenario Editor from Warcraft 2 is back and better than ever, and play over the Internet is possible with 7 other people. Internet play is simpler than ever using battle.net, Blizzard's own gaming site where StarCraft users can go to easily find another player to battle.

Graphics: 9/10

Bright, and overall great. Each unit is unique, and easily identifiable. The explosions are much improved over WarCraft 2. The new damage indicator on the bottom of the screen in neat.

Sound: 10/10

The music is again fantastic, with tons of speech and sound effects. Every action has a realistic sound with it. The voices are well done.

Gameplay: 10/10

Video gaming at its finest. Blizzard shows in this game that they know how to make a game as close to perfect as they'll ever get. Up to 12 units can be selected at once, plus hotkeys can be assigned to groups of units, so dozens can be moved into battle at once. The races are very different, but excellently balanced. A player can be successful with any race if they take the time to learn it. The variety of units means massive strategy is required. Resources this time around include minerals (gold) and Vespene Gas (lumber, oil, basically). The story is great, and you really get to know the characters. As you play through the entire game, you'll really be surprised with some of the plot twists. Speaking of finshing the game, it's a pretty tough one. The 30 levels here will keep you going for some time. Many people will lose their social life on battle.net.

Replay: 10/10

Unlimited. The Scenario Editor is amazingly detailed, literally letting you control every aspect, from the terrain, units and unit attributes to the sounds, mission objectives and alliances. Anything you can think of can be controlled by you. Battle.net practically adds YEARS to the longevity of this title (OK, not practically, literally).

Overall: 10/10

One of the best video games ever made, anytime, anywhere. If you like strategy games at all, or if you've never played a real time strategy game, download the demo, and you're almost guaranteed to be hooked. Even if you usually don't like these type of games, StarCraft could change your mind.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 09/29/01