Let Binh and I break it down for you. If you wonder who's thoughts you are reading, Binh's will be in blue and mine will be in red.
Hell, it's about time:
Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty is a real-time strategy (RTS) game with two major aspects: a campaign mode and a multiplayer mode. This is the highly anticipated sequel to the original Starcraft back in 1998. Starcraft II's campaign mode will be split into three different titles with Wings of Liberty kicking it off. The first title in the trilogy focuses on the Terrans, while the next two expansions will focus on the Protoss and Zerg.
Four years after the Brood War, we follow the adventures of Jim Raynor and his old pal Thychus Findlay. Kerrigan is on the warpath again - along with the Protoss, still out trying to cleanse the universe of the Zerg infestation. The epic storyline is fully played out in different locations on Raynor's battlecrusier, where you can interact with specific characters, receive missions, watch the news and get a grasp on everything that is going on (play some arcade games?).
Blizzard does a great job here. You never feel like you're being bombarded with too much lore at any one time. None of the conversations drag either. They are quick and to the point, but it also draws you into the story just enough to keep you progressing. By the time you finish listening to all the characters talk, you're ready to move into your next mission. These story arcs are a great way to break up any feelings of repetition that may occur.
Nuclear Launch Detected:
Same style - Check. Same overview - Check. Upgraded Graphics - Check. Having the PC/Mac to required to run Starcraft II - Check. Is the game intense enough for you to have to go out and by a high end PC? Not really. My PC is not the top of the line when it comes to parts, but it is good enough for me to run the game just fine without any lag issues or anything like that. It also looks like Blizzard didn't do much with the units and landscape, instead focusing on making the models more modern. You know what, I am fine with the way they kept true to the original. The cut scenes are just simply amazing and it adds to not just the storyline but to the universe as a whole.
Do you agree Corey?
Graphically, this game is amazing. It's a big step up from the original, but I agree that it still retains the nostalgia for the players of the previous release. The units on the battlefield look crisp, clear and you really can get a feel for the time Blizzard put in on the detail of each unit. The UI is what players of the original Starcraft are accustomed to and new players will find easy enough to comprehend. Not much of a learning curve here as well. If you have ever played a RTS before, you know how to play. The maps and locations are vibrant and intricate. The character models are extremely well done. Like you said, there is no need for some epic computer system to run Starcraft II. Due to its simplicity most PC's should be able to run it optimally.
A Zerg, a shotgun and you:
The music is very spaghetti western with a new age twist. A lot of it reminds me of Firefly - giving you the feeling that you're a space cowboy. One of my favorite places to visit in-game is the Cantina of Raynor's ship. There is a jukebox and as you interact with it, you cycle through songs and listen to some classics from the original game. Sweet Home Alabama is constantly replaying in the background while watching the news or having a drink with Thychus. It's a really nice touch, and although small, one of the great details that Blizzard has not overlooked. Conversations are clear and the voice acting is top notch. This is best highlighted in the news broadcasts, which are hilarious.
What are your thoughts on how the game's audio was done in Starcraft II, Binh?
For me, first off I want to say this to Glen Stafford: "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" The music you provided for us in the first Starcraft, and subsequently the updated soundtrack in Starcraft II, really sets the mood for the entire game. This feelings continues even when we are playing the other races in multiplayer as the Zerg or Protoss. This title does not even focus on either of these two other races and yet their updated soundtracks are amazing. If by some chance you were one of the few - by few I mean a lot of you - that picked up the collector's edition, you are one lucky son of a bitch.
Going further, I would have to agree that the voice acting is probably some of the best in a game that has come out this year. It is finally good to hear Robert Clotworthy as Jim Raynor giving out commands to his units or Tricia Helfer as the Queen of Blades, Sarah Karrigan. If only Blizzard would make a full length movie already.
SCV Reporting:
If you are wondering how good the game play for Starcraft II, then this should put your mind at ease. If you have played the original Starcraft and Brood War then you should have no problems getting used to the controls at all. Why you may ask? Well mainly because Blizzard didn't really need to change the controls all too much to begin with. The same commands are still there from the previous titles. All that was included were just small additions with new units and buildings. Other than that, it is still the same as before. If this is the first time you played any Starcraft game, the controls are really easy to use - especially when you start to get familiar with how things work.
As for multiplayer a little bit, yes Battle.net is not the same Battle.net that we used to love. Battle.net has moved to a more friends-list system, like you have on a Steam, XBL or PSN account. That is nice and all, but I feel like they just took away the good things to add things like achievements and ranks into Starcraft II. I am really not complaining at all. I am glad they only give us the good parts of the service and not the bad: like paying a monthly fee just to play the game online, but I know there are a lot of people out there that won't get the game because of the new Battle.net system.
Corey, I know you didn't get into the multiplayer as much as you did, but what are your thoughts on the game play?
Ah yes, the game play. The meat and potatoes of the whole game. The game play this time takes the original concept of resource gathering/base building to the next level of design. Each mission is littered with new mechanics and feels like you're playing a mini-game each time. One level you may be trying to hijack a train while on another, you may be playing escort to a group of escaping colonists. This completely eliminates the rigid repetitive nature that most RTS's suffer and really highlights the diverse nature where an RTS title can excel.
Starcraft II focuses more on objective completion rather than the "I have more units/resources than you, so I win" mentality. With the added achievement system, it produces great replay value that will have achievement hunters coming back for more.
We also see the introduction of a leveling system. As you finish missions you will be awarded money, which can be spent on units to upgrade armor/weapons. For certain missions you will also gain research points, these points are broken up into two trees: Zerg and Protoss. Depending on which tree you decide to upgrade, more upgrades and options become available to you; providing new units or tactical upgrades such as faster building/gathering.
Another new feature is the hiring of mercenaries to fight along side you. Using the money you earn from missions, you can hire groups of mercenaries - essentially more powerful units - which are instantly deployed in your base for immediate use. Out of marines? Go hire yourself four mercs and use them to defend your base.
Overall
I really enjoyed this game. It's fun and well paced, so I never had the bored feeling I get in titles similar to Starcraft II. Blizzard has done a great job in balancing game play and story while still giving a very polished final product. The story is amazing and Blizzard always has a few tricks up their sleeves. I won't spoil anything, but the last few cinematics are awesome! I think that it was a smart decision to split the titles up as well. There is so much content in Wings of Liberty that if everything was put in one package, it would have felt overwhelming.
I highly recommend picking up Starcraft II because, like the first Starcraft, it is going to live on for a very long time and be a staple in any real gamer's library.
Binh?
Was it worth the twelve years? Hell yes it was! It is everything I ever wanted in the sequel, minus the dragging parts I found in the story. For Starcraft fans, if you do not have this already, then you need to go out and buy it now. For those who have never played Starcraft or any RTS, you should seriously think about picking up Starcraft II and give it a good old college try. I know it is a $60 college try, but at least you won't be disappointed. Especially if you have friends who are playing the game already.
StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty was developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment on July 27th 2010 for the PC. Retailing for $59.99. A copy of the game was provided by the publisher for review purposes.
