May 25, 2010

StarCraft II continues the epic saga of the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg. These three distinct and powerful races will clash once again in the fast-paced real-time strategy sequel to the legendary original, StarCraft. Legions of veteran, upgraded, and brand-new unit types will do battle across the galaxy, as each faction struggles for survival.

Featuring a unique single-player campaign that picks up where StarCraft: Brood War left off, StarCraft II will present a cast of new heroes and familiar faces in an edgy sci-fi story filled with adventure and intrigue. In addition, Blizzard will again offer unparalleled online play through Battle.net, the company's world-renowned gaming service, with several enhancements and new features to make StarCraft II the ultimate competitive real-time strategy game.

• Fast-paced, hard-hitting, tightly balanced competitive real-time strategy gameplay that recaptures and improves on the magic of the original game
• Three completely distinct races: Protoss, Terran, and Zerg
• New units and gameplay mechanics further distinguish each race
• Groundbreaking single-player campaign
• Vibrant new 3D-graphics engine with support for dazzling visual effects and massive unit and army sizes
• Full multiplayer support, with new competitive features and matchmaking utilities available through Battle.net
• Full map-making and scripting tools to give players incredible freedom in customizing and personalizing their gameplay experience

Recently players all over the world, including myself, have had access to the multiplayer beta of the much-anticipated sequel StarCraft II. Over the past several days, I’ve gotten my first glimpse of what could eventually be one of the finest real-time strategies since its predecessor. The battle between the Terran, Protoss and Zerg rages on after the events of the Brood War expansion.

After putting some considerable time spent with an old friend born anew, I want to express my first impressions of StarCraft: Wings of Liberty. I was very impressed with the graphics. While I know that the title is a work in progress, the new 3D graphic engine used allows for beautifully vibrant landscapes. This same engine allows for the rendering of massive armies on the screen at one time. It’s definitely a big improvement from the last StarCraft.

Graphics, however are not everything and so far StarCraft II looks like it’s going to be hours of challenging entertainment, at least from what I’ve seen. During my time with the beta the only available modes were 1v1, 2v2, and Free-For-All. Things have definitely changed in Wings of Liberty. Some of the more noticeable things include newer tactical points of contention as well as observatories that can turn the tide of war especially in the map Steppes of War. This particular map has observatories that aren’t as well elevated making them a real pain to defend and control. This map also has several high ground locations that one can use to your tactical advantage.

There are also new units and abilities available for all three fronts to change things up such as jet-packing Terran Reapers. The ever-assimilating Zerg race actually gains a base boost on its own planet. All of these added features help keep the matches fast paced and often times intense. It’s been a considerable amount of time since I played the original StarCraft and to be quite honest I got thoroughly thrashed about like someone playing the series for the very first time. There is a lot to learn and pickup in StarCraft II, but those who are veterans out there will more than likely not have that much trouble initially.

We still have to wait a bit before we see the final product, but I’m sure once Blizzard gets done tweaking the system and putting the finishing touches on this game, StarCraft II will take us by storm like the original did so many years before. From what I’ve played I found that StarCraft II lives up to the expectations that I had for it so far. Only time will tell if the rest lives up to the hype.