Description

Starcraft II PC

Customer Reviews

 OK game, not as good as first - Sep 02, 2010

Dont' get me wrong, it is still fun, but not as fun as first SC.
Majority of the game is same as before, with a few new units and tweaks for each race. Overall, its great to play with friends online, but otherwise I didn't bother finishing the campaign.

 Boo!!! BLIZZARD!!! Boo!!! - Sep 02, 2010

First off, I must say that I was never really a fan of the original StarCraft (I guess I got into it at the wrong time... I started playing it AFTER Oblivion and Fallout 3 were out, and the graphics were not that good, and I could never seem to get into the game), however, I saw a friend play this game and I thought, "Man, that looks sweet!" So I bought it. $60!!! AND ITs NOT EVEN THE FULL GAME!!! The game isn't that long (sure Skrimmage mode kind of makes it longer), and you HAVE to have online in order for this SINGLE PLAYER game to work! AND you have to update your account online EVERY 30 DAYS or you can't play the game. WHAT BS IS BLIZZARD DOING NOW!!! I'm telling you, if Diablo III is going to be the same as this great game gone BAD (a.k.a. GREEDY), then I'm bocotting BLIZZARD!!!

 multiplayer matchmaking is really bad - Sep 02, 2010

just wanted to add something, i don't really know if it has been mentioned before but its the reason that made me stop playing the game at all after a month and about 250 ladder games
if you are interested in multiplayer matchups as 2v2 3v3 4v4 the matchmaking system is mixing random teams with arranged teams making it inherently imbalanced taking away all of the fun of it.
There are some Huge threads on blizzard's own forum but as it has been mentioned in other reviews it seems bliz doesn't really care

 Best Game Ever - Sep 01, 2010

This is by far one of the best games ever created on earth. If you dont play this in your lifespan you will be missing out on a happy life!

 Terrible multiplayer system - Sep 01, 2010

There is only one thing that's kept me playing the original starcraft for nearly 15 years. The multiplayer system. The ability to create custom games, join easily, find up to date matches, custom game names, etc. All of that is completely lacking in SCII. The new battle.net is crap.
The single player campaign was very enjoyable, with some fantastic maps. I especially enjoyed the ability to choose your own upgrades. The cash rewards for each level really made no sense as they were all basically the same. I was also somewhat disappointed that there was no option to play as Zerg during the campaign. However, it did make sense in keeping with the plot.
One star for multiplayer. 4 stars for single player campaign. Overall 3 stars.

 5 Star game hands down - Sep 01, 2010

I have been waiting for this game for a long time. This game does not dissapoint. They keept the "If it ain't broke don't fix it" moto and they made the right choice. This game improves on almost everything about SC1. I have have been having a blast with it. I really liked the campain but the multiplayer is the most fun. Right now I am 1st in bronze leauge looking to move up to silver. The game is just fun peroid. If you loved SC1 you will love SC2.

 Awesome - Aug 31, 2010

Starcraft 2 was everything I was hoping for and more. It's definitely a worthy sequel to the original. My only complaint is that the campaign only allows you to play as the Terran (for the most part)

 Awsome - Aug 31, 2010

Incredible and fun. the cut scenes tie right into the choices you make. the visuals are great. the multiplayer is fun also. all in all just a great game.

 worth buying - Aug 31, 2010

Wanted it new, looked for a new copy on Amazon, and bought it. I would think the collector's edition is not really necessary since most of the bonus stuff which comes with it is very worthless. Except maybe the soundtrack and the original Starcraft, which you could pick up elsewhere. The game is unbelievably addicting though, so let the buyer beware. This is the first step in the new line of pc gaming. Diablo III, Warcraft IV, are the next few steps.

Oh, consider buying a microphone and better graphics card if you don't already have them. They both really help bring the gaming experience to life.

 A good game but could be better - Aug 31, 2010

The single player game is very fun and has unique units and upgrades not available in multiplayer.

I would say overall worth the money, and as long as you have Internet access, it works fine.

Now lets talk about what they could have done and what was fun from the previous version that they left out.

1) They need a lobby for gamers to meet and be able to create a custom game with a real name like 20 min no rush for others to join like you could in ver 1

2) It would be nice to be able to use all the special units, heroes, upgrades, and mercs from the single player game in the multiplayer game.

3) Allow LAN games.

4) I liked the old zerg flying units, and wish they would have brought them back like they did for protoss.

5) If they are going to do expansion packs fix the above problems and include more units for multiplayer, then its worth buying, otherwise unless its very inexpensive, why would you want to pay the same price for more single player games.

 Slick strategy game - Aug 31, 2010

This game oozes style and I've had more fun with it than I have with any RTS in the last 10 years.

 Do more research before you buy... - Aug 30, 2010

What a waste of $65.00. I expected alot more than one campaign and a graphics update of SC1. The units have pretty much the same abilities as in SC1. And seriously, I have to shell out more cash for the other 2 campaigns??? I'm not into multiplayer. When Diablo 3 comes out I will be taking a hard look at reviews and comments from a variety of sites. Blizzard lost my loyalty with this clunker.

 Serious Problems - Aug 30, 2010

Activision/Blizzard made some egregious errors with this game. Two features that made Starcraft 1 a success were: lan-play, and the boundless possibilities with map-making. Now you can only play multi-player if you connect over Blizzard's servers, it is impossible to run your game over you own network. This adds to the lag unnecessarily and like most DRM is completely ineffective at preventing piracy, merely causing headaches for every customer.


The limits on map-making are even worse. Blizzard has seen fit to limit the people who shell out 60 bucks on the product to only be able to make 5 maps total. I must have made dozens of maps for Starcraft and Brood Wars, and this limitation is totally unnecessary except as a way to bilk the customers for more money by requiring people who want more than 5 maps/25 megs (really are you so hung up for space that you are imposing another limit beyond 5 maps?) to pay for the privilege of doing what was free before and was the secret to your prior success.

I am disappointed Blizzard, your long history of quality PC games is quickly being eroded when you treat your customers with such disrespect.

 Great game, sadly no LAN - Aug 30, 2010

Starcraft 2 is a great strategy game. Unfortunately, Blizzard thinks all those who purchase their game are criminals. If you don't have constant, uninterrupted internet, you aren't allowed to play. I also tried to play a game over [...] that should have been a LAN game (Starcraft 2 doesn't support LAN). I have a 60Mb/s (60 Megabit) internet connection with a 20 Mb/s (20 Megabit) upload speed and a 5ms ping. It was late at night and I couldn't play because the [...] servers were experiencing glitches. I don't like being at the mercy of some remote server that might not always be there. I contacted Blizzard regarding the issue and they offered no help.

In regards to the game itself, it is really fun. I wish I could play LAN games and I wish I could play when I don't have an internet connection. It is extremely disappointing that companies today assume everyone is a criminal. What a terrible business model.

 Just great - Aug 30, 2010

For those of us who grew up playing the original StarCraft, this game does not disappoint. It builds and improves upon the original game in every conceivable way while maintaining the original game's authenticity and distinct style of play. Initially I was afraid that StarCraft II was going to be "WarCraft III In Space". Fortunately this is not the case. The Collector's Edition is a must have for all StarCraft fans.

 Good Game - Aug 30, 2010

Starcraft 2 is a very good game in all aspects : graphics, sound, playability, story, learning curve is easy if you played the first one and medium if you're new to starcraft. The online aspect of this game is good; however I myself would prefer that they had kept the chat channels from battle.net of old. My only disappointment comes from some of the decisions made concerning some of the units, such as medics (available in single-player and brought in , in the broodwars expansion) don't exist in the new online terran units. the Wraith aircraft the same thing. I can make no sense of these changes from single to online. Bottom line this game is very entertaining, players get full access to map editor giving this game incrediable playability into the future. ENJOY

 Great Game! - Aug 30, 2010

It's a great game.

The company policy:
Since I only use a desktop that is constantly connected to the internet; I have no real problem w/ having to be online to play even for single player. To be honest it's kind of nice being able to chat with my friends during the campaign and while watching replays at my own pace. Also, its really convenient to play the campaign online while waiting for your friend to log on or finish up his game. I can understand the frustration that arise if your mobile and can't access the game, however these added options make the gameplay experience more enjoyable.

I'm actually okay with there being no chat channel. If there were they would be filled with bots that would spam me whenever I'd be playing the game.

No LAN. I think WoW was the first instance I had to buy seperate accounts for seperate members of my family. Because of the transition that occured then, I'm fine with buying multiple copies for those who would actually play SC2 (If not they could borrow a friends account to quickly play at a "LAN" party).

Like any other purchase you make you should research the pros and cons, and if there are heavier cons than pros then don't buy the product. Especially if the company breaks any of your principals. (i.e. Conflict diamonds, non-organic food, foreign made products, LAN uncapable, region specific, 1-of-3, etc.).

The campaign:
Like the title of this review says, the game is great. The campaign takes ~10 hours w/ ~30 missions and higher difficulty tiers & achievements that add to the replayability. I think the most noticible difference between the gameplay of SC1 and SC2 is the speed (SC2 has a faster pace), and the single player campaign really shows Blizzard's craftsmanship (each mission has a different feel/flare to it). My favorites were the secret unlockable mission, the spectre mission, and the last protoss mission. I also really enjoyed interacting with the crew onboard the ship, the extra dialogue really adds to the development of each character.

This game is considered the first part of 3 major campaigns (which set off a lot of anger in a lot of people). But the first chapter really had a lot of depth and gameplay that I'm looking forward to in the zerg and protoss chapters. Personally, I doubt that the latter 2 will be $60 standalone products, however if that does become the case, I will change the review.

The multiplayer:
The online gameplay is great; and is definetly where you will get most of your replay value. Unlike WC3, I have never played a game with an AFKer or a leaver (I've played ~30 games so far). The new matchmaking is sooooooo smart, because it places each player in a mini-ladder thats designed to motivate each player to get better and reach that #1 spot. It's a lot better than having <1000 people play with motivation on an entire realm. Each game seems to counts, which showed in the games I've played which included players on both sides with a similar caliber of skill.

I do hope that better UMS options are created, however I'm sure this and other hiccups will be addressed over time.

 An outstanding continuation of the Starcraft Saga - Aug 30, 2010

The gameplay is very similar to the original, just as you'd expect. The new units add additional layers of strategy are some are just plain cool. The graphics are amazing. The campaign is original, the missions are well thought out and fun. It's not the standard "destroy the other side" you see in most RTS games.

So many people are complaining that they "have to pay three times for the same game". BS. This is way more game than you usually get for $60. Sure, the original Starcraft came with all three campaigns as did the Brood war expansion, but this campaign is bigger, has far more depth, far more story, and in my opinion, is far more fun. You're getting a lot of game here. Also, please consider that Blizzard has not announced or set prices for the additional campaigns. I could be wrong, but I expect the expansions to be in the realm of $30, not an extra $60. Even if they were $60, I'd pay it because this game is awesome, but wait until prices are announced before you start complaining that you're paying $180.

I do agree that I don't like the requirement to have an Internet connection in order to play. I understand Blizzard is trying to reduce piracy (and seeing some of other reviews suggesting you torrent this game, I can almost see why), but if my Internet goes out, I'd still want to play. If any pirates are reading this, Stop Pirating! You're just ruining things for the rest of us. This is a quality game. Pay for it! If you don't think it's worth the money. Don't buy it! But that means you don't get to play it. Sorry for the rant.

I'm less concerned about the lack of a LAN option. So far, the need or even desire for it hasn't come up. I haven't played much multi-player yet, but when I've done so, I've connected to people across the country so Internet play has been just fine for me.

 Tough to beat! - Aug 30, 2010

This is an excellent strategy game with so many talented players it will be tough for beginners (like myself) to will anything at all. Fortunately, there is an (AI)mode where you can practice against the computer on the many maps available to improve your skills. There is a story mode that i have yet to play and have little interest in. I must warn you though, once fully focused, one could literally play this game for days until they pass out. Run out and buy it. It is often called chess on steroids. Your brain will be working over time to get remotely close to good. Happy gaming.

 A worthy successor to the namesake. - Aug 30, 2010

As a preface, I have been an avid gamer since 1994 or so. I have played every one of Blizzard's releases in that time.

StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty, hits the nail on the head. It has just enough in common with SC1+Brood War to feel like a sequel,without feeling like the same game. It doesn't feel stale or stagnant because while the major mechanics remain the same, new units, story elements, and map mechanics fill in between the beautiful new rendering engine. Additionally, the cinematic content is top-notch. (Blizzard needs to start making movies.)

If you aren't familiar with SC1 or with Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games, SC2 may be a little challenging. However, unlike SC1, SC2 includes difficulty modes, which can mitigate much of the initial difficulty.

As for the multiplayer content, it is quite satisfying as a sequel to the massively popular SC1 multiplayer. Most of the units from the single-player campaign are available (but several old friends from Brood War are, sadly, absent). Games are fast-paces and adrenaline-fueled. Learning the multiplayer strategies as a new player would be very frustrating, as much of the strategy goes against the tactics learned in single-player. The best way to learn to play is to watch the pros (either Major League Gaming, replays on [...], or game-casting on youtube).

If you're up for a challenge, and don't mind needing an internet connection to play your game, StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty is for you.

Also, the collector's edition add-ins rock, especially the dogtag-thumbdrive.

 Outstanding game, but still buggy - Aug 30, 2010

There are plenty of Starcraft 2 reviews out there so I'll simply present the best and worst things about the game.

Pros:

- outstanding balance between races, mission design in campaign, "challenge" missions to prep the player for multiplayer
- great graphics
- classic StarCraft feel
- excellent music and sound effects
- extremely fun and rewarding to play!

Cons:

- BUGGY!!! Despite working with Blizzard support the entire time I've had the game (ordered with release day delivery), I had many random complete lock-ups of the game requiring system restarts. It's definitely an issue with the game as I play many other high-end games without issue. Ultimately I figured out how to prevent the crashes from occurring: turning off 3D portraits in the graphics options. This is unfortunate because the portraits are wonderfully animated, but they make the game crash for me. My system meets or exceeds all of the "recommended" system requirements.
- Lack of cause-and-effect in conversations and cut-scenes outside of the missions: I won't go into specifics because I don't want to include any spoilers, but I would have liked to feel like my actions had consequences. There are some optional missions in the game which, if completed, give the main character Raynor a different perspective on the conflict in the game. However, this is never referred to later on in the game -- it's like they wrote one minimalist version of the story and simply omitted how things would change depending on the player's actions. It's not a huge deal since it doesn't affect the main gameplay, but it definitely hurts the sense of immersion.

 StarCraft II - Aug 30, 2010

who does not know starcraft1 he will not enjoy playing Starcraft2. this game is one of best games ever

 wish this game was good .... - Aug 29, 2010

I really wanted to have fun playing this game. I waited for the release at midnight with my two adult sons. I enjoyed playing through the campaign but that only took a few days. The next step was to learn to play the 1v1 multiplayer game.

And that is the problem. I choose zerg which is no fun to play because for some reason Blizzard gave the terrans all the new abilities and units and none for zerg. I prepared a lot and learned the hotkeys and the maps because I really wanted to play the game.

Unfortunately playing the multiplayer is much like having a root canal. It is painful and no fun at all. It's like playing 10 games of blitz chess in a row.

SAVE YOUR MONEY. DON"T BUY THIS.

 Amazing - Aug 29, 2010

Starcraft II is a must-own game. It is a strategy game mixed with a little bit of role-play. If you have played Starcraft and Broodwar from years ago, you know that it is the best game in the Real-Time-Strategy, or RTS genre. This sequel improves on many aspects of the original, without making you feel as though you are starting over from scratch. You can now "grab" as many units into a group as you want. Units automatically heal, spread out, repair, and generally act with more intelligence than before. There are guides that improve your basic skills so that you can compete more effectively against A.I. opponents and other players on Battle.net. Also, B.Net is vastly improved with a very effective matching of opponents. No more getting stomped in the first 5 minutes by someone that is on a whole different level skill-wise. Buy this game.

 Loving It - Aug 29, 2010

I'm enjoying this new Starcraft immensely. I think it will take me a while to get the full hang of it but I'm having a whole lot of fun. I enjoyed the multiplayer beta - but SC has always been about single player for me so I just couldn't wait to get the game. I'm just not twitchy enough and don't have enough time to be good at multiplayer.

I love the side stories, the new units, the characters, etc. I'm moving through slowly - real life makes sure of that but I'm really enjoying when I get to check out for an hour or two and play.