This review contains spoilers about the singleplayer campaign.
Starcraft 2 is the long awaited sequel to Starcraft by Blizzard Entertainment. The game is a real-time strategy game with three races: Terran, Protoss, and Zerg. The game features a lengthy Terran campaign and competitive multiplayer with each of the three races competing in asymmetrical warfare.
Starcraft 2's campaign is incredibly fun. The campaign follows Raynor as he leads a rebellion. The campaign introduces various new and old Terran units and allows many fun choices to be had on those units. Some of these are upgrading units with shields or to allow medics to heal two targets. The cinematics are expertly done as Blizzard is seemingly unable to do a poor job technically. The missions are varied and even the side missions are created with care. The only faults some may find with the campaign is the story. The original Starcraft had a different tone than this entry. This entry opts for a lighter tone than the original games.
The multiplayer's focus has been on its 1v1 competitive game mode. The game feels balanced enough on all but the higher ranks. Each of the races maintains a distinctive feel and grand strategy to countering one another. Any one that likes competitive strategy will like this game. The other game modes such as 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, and free for all do not have as much polish and are more casual. One hope that I had for a vibrant custom map scene similar to Warcraft 3 is not in Starcraft 2. The custom maps are still present, but player counts are lower with not as many creative maps.
Even at $60 on launch, this game's singleplayer has good value. With multiplayer, this game is absolutely worth its price.
Grade: B
Starcraft 2 is the long awaited sequel to Starcraft by Blizzard Entertainment. The game is a real-time strategy game with three races: Terran, Protoss, and Zerg. The game features a lengthy Terran campaign and competitive multiplayer with each of the three races competing in asymmetrical warfare.
Starcraft 2's campaign is incredibly fun. The campaign follows Raynor as he leads a rebellion. The campaign introduces various new and old Terran units and allows many fun choices to be had on those units. Some of these are upgrading units with shields or to allow medics to heal two targets. The cinematics are expertly done as Blizzard is seemingly unable to do a poor job technically. The missions are varied and even the side missions are created with care. The only faults some may find with the campaign is the story. The original Starcraft had a different tone than this entry. This entry opts for a lighter tone than the original games.
The multiplayer's focus has been on its 1v1 competitive game mode. The game feels balanced enough on all but the higher ranks. Each of the races maintains a distinctive feel and grand strategy to countering one another. Any one that likes competitive strategy will like this game. The other game modes such as 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, and free for all do not have as much polish and are more casual. One hope that I had for a vibrant custom map scene similar to Warcraft 3 is not in Starcraft 2. The custom maps are still present, but player counts are lower with not as many creative maps.
Even at $60 on launch, this game's singleplayer has good value. With multiplayer, this game is absolutely worth its price.
Grade: B