StarCraft 2 Overview and Expectations

StarCraft 2 will be released on July 27th, after over twelve years since the release of its predecessor, which is often considered to be the most influential RTS of all time. The original StarCraft set the gold standard for games of its kind, becoming a competitive sport in Korea and coining such famous phrases known to all gamers as "zergling rush". It comes as no surprise, then, that its successor is one of the most highly anticipated games of 2010. But with such big shoes to fill and so many expectations, on top of all the time players have waited for it, is it even possible for the StarCraft sequel to measure up?


After extensive beta testing, the game itself seems solid. The graphics, user interface and mechanics are spot on; it is easy to play and nice to look at, while still offering low settings which provide availability to a wide range of computers. Balance issues are still being ironed out and bugs still exist which need to be corrected. The beta is, in fact, being taken down at the end of May. The official statement from Blizzard is that "the beta test will be unavailable for several weeks while we make some hardware and software configuration changes in preparation for the final phase of the beta test and the release of the game." This time is likely being taken to correct a number of startup errors, finalize the ladder system, and implement a number of corrections to increase the efficiency of the program after the initial round of beta testing. Blizzard developers "plan to bring the beta test back online for a couple of weeks prior to the game’s launch to complete testing." It is a testament to the entertainment and replay value of the game that many beta testers will simply have trouble filling in the gap in their lives left by the game's absence; with StarCraft, it seems the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in terms of addictive multiplayer gameplay.

The actual release of the game will contain even more features for a plethora of gaming tastes. The official multiplayer will likely only be slightly different than it is now in the beta, although possibly with some slight balance tweaks (perhaps another change to ultralisks, which seem to be incredibly underused). However, for those who remember fondly the UMS (Use Map Settings) games from the original StarCraft and WarCraft 3 custom games, this experience will be improved in a number of ways. In addition to releasing the most robust and capable world editor yet, Blizzard has also created a new system for the publication of maps, sparing the in game download wait before a game or the annoyance of searching out and downloading new versions of maps off the web. To top it off, the game will feature an extensive single-player campaign picking up where Brood War left off.

Despite the number of issues surfaced by the beta which must be ironed out, the finished product of StarCraft 2 is shaping up to be an excellent product. With such an array of game modes, features and possibilities, the game will certainly be worth its $60 price tag to any RTS fan - but will it measure up to the expectations set by its illustrious predecessors? There is no clear answer yet, and only time will tell.