DESCRIPTION

Following the success of their earlier games (namely WarCraft and Diablo), Blizzard Entertainment presents StarCraft, a real-time strategy space epic. Those familiar with the WarCraft series should feel at home here, as the interface and control scheme are similar to those of WarCraft II: Tides of Darkness. However, this is where the similarities end.

In StarCraft, there are three unique races to choose from, different in almost every way. The Terrans, who might be described as "hillbillies in space," represent the human race. They are a group with adaptable machinery and powerful, weapon-ready units. The second race is the Zerg, an organic-based alien race that spawns larvae from its creepy colonies. They have the ability to multiply quickly, creating safety in numbers. Zerg larvae can mutate into different kinds of structures and units. The Protoss are the most profound of the three races, relying on long-term strategies and advanced, almost mystical machinery.

Each race offers distinct strengths and weaknesses, and each calls for a different style of play. Unlike the single-player campaigns in WarCraft (which had two effectively similar races), the three campaigns in StarCraft must be played in order, as they are each a part of a larger tale. The story is of epic scale, beginning with the Terrans, then moving on to the Zerg, and finishing with the Protoss. Each race has its own campaign and plotline, but they all flow together as one big story.

Multiplayer options are supported through Blizzard's BattleNet servers. Those who think they're good enough can test their battle skills against other human players online. There are also options that allow players to team up and fight against the computer's armies. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide