Released back in 1998, the original StarCraft had been showered with praise which inevitably lead to it not only receiving a number of Game of the Year awards but also allowing it to go on to become one of the best-selling titles for the PC platform to date. Needless to say it set the real-time strategy genre alight with its innovative approach, offering the player three unique and balanced races alongside well implemented multiplayer support through the Battle.net service that allowed up to eight players to battle for dominance online.
It is understandable that it remains to be a bit of a mystery that, following such success, the fact it has taken twelve years for the sequel to arrive on store shelves is more than a little surprising. Perhaps it is the global success of ever popular MMORPG World of Warcraft that is to blame, yet the anticipated arrival of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is now upon us and there are many that are no doubt eager to learn whether it has been worth such a long wait.
As you would expect, a deep and engaging single-player campaign will occupy a bulk of your time, in where players will once again follow the continuing exploits of Jim Raynor who has now formed a revolutionary group dubbed Raynor’s Raiders and with whom he seeks revenge against the man who betrayed him within the original game – self-proclaimed Dominion Emperor, Arcturus Mengsk. In true space opera fashion, just as he’s getting started he learns of an oppressive Zerg force that has begun to invade a number of Terran systems led by Zerg-assimilated former love interest Sarah Kerrigan aka “Queen of Blades.” With Mengsk having withdrawn all Dominion troops from the surrounding colonies in an attempt to ensure the protection of the remaining core planets, it once again rests upon Raynor’s shoulders, and obviously yours, to save the galaxy.
Whilst it sounds slightly clichéd, it becomes incredibly engaging to anyone that takes the time to appreciate a strong narrative. The StarCraft franchise has a rich legacy, and through a number of impressively directed cinematics, coupled with some equally commendable voice acting, Blizzard ensures that the storyline becomes a resounding extension of this. You can look forward to encountering a blend of both new and old characters, each bringing their own personalities to the mix – allowing the plot to encompass Raynor’s personal torment and passion for revenge, whilst also throwing in plenty of light humour to ensure it never becomes too broody.
In terms of structure, players can expect to battle their way through a multi-path series of missions that guide you through the campaign, amounting to a total number of around thirty missions. This is a departure from the previously linear approach as rather than hopping from one mission onto the next, the player is offered the choice of accepting tasks requested by other mercenaries. Whilst pursuing the central plot you will be able to opt to complete a number of side missions that provide the chance to accumulate both credits and research specimens.
Between missions, players will find themselves on-board an interactive version of Raynor’s Battlecruiser, the Hyperion. It is here that you are able to move between the Cantina, Bridge, Armoury and Laboratory with each offering numerous clickable extras to divert your attention – the latter two providing the opportunity for you to spend resources and research to purchase/unlock upgrades for your buildings, troops and vehicles.
Such continual rewards and the ability to strengthen your forces is something that will easily tease you into completing each mission just to see the effects of what you unlock, which in turn will drive you through the thirty-odd hours that it’ll take to complete the campaign.
There is a broad variety of mission objectives on offer to spice things up too. Each of the story missions will provide their own unique scenario, with side missions seeing you perform a range of tasks including resource collection or smash and grab that will be familiar to fans of the genre. The level design also throws in environmental issues to be wary of, for instance during one mission the lava that coats the planet surface rises every few minutes and the player is required to regularly move their units to higher ground.
Whilst the mechanics have received some revision and tweaking, it is clear that Blizzard were keen to ensure that the foundations were not too dissimilar from that of the previous instalment. Micro-management is still the focus here. You’ll still have to utilise SCV’s to gather resources, build structures to expand your available tech and therefore be granted access to bigger and better units before you blast your way across the map to conquer all foes and complete your objectives. Some may cry out in stating that this makes the game feel a little dated alongside the fresh ideas being presented by other developers in recent years, yet StarCraft II sticks to what it does best.
Even those that crave a little innovation cannot deny that StarCraft II provides a particularly robust and balanced setup that is familiar to fans yet also accessible to those new to the franchise. It must also be remembered that it is the feedback from those lucky enough to be provided with the chance to participate in the StarCraft II Beta that have allowed Blizzard to iron out the majority of gameplay issues pre-launch.
The importance of this is apparent in the vastly improved Battle.net service that returns in a souped up “2.0″ iteration. Players are able to maintain a list of friends with whom they are able to chat directly with through an instant messaging service, as well as form parties to be able to dive into Multiplayer – either against the AI or other players online – with 1 vs. 1, 2 vs. 2, and 3 vs. 3 being available.
StarCraft II also introduces a new ranked system that will continually track the progress you make online, and then place you against those on an equal skill level as you within matchmaking. You are able to participate in a “Practice League” before you dive into this, and then you’ll have five matches to play that will determine the league in which you are placed. It all works exceptionally well, and the simplicity of being able to hop into matches on your own or with friends is particularly admirable. Further to this, Blizzard has also provided improved replay functionality that allows you to record and view your greatest victories…or inevitable defeats!
There are however, always aspects that will disappoint. For those expecting to be able to dive into either Zerg or Protoss campaign portions may be a little discomforted to learn that Blizzard are holding such content back for two expansions that will purely focus on each race: Heart of the Swarm and Legacy of the Void.
Regardless, the absence of such content doesn’t detract from the exuberant quality of the overall package. With high production values, an extensive campaign and the most balanced gameplay seen within recent years at its core, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty easily stands tall as becoming one of the finest additions to one of the PC’s most popular genres.
VideogameUK verdict: 9/10
