However, with Blizzard's newest entrant into the huge field of real-time strategy games, Starcraft, I am eating my words. The sequel to the popular Warcraft, Starcraft plays like Command & Conquer, except with aliens.
Of course, that is a huge simplification. Starcraft is actually an amazingly complicated game, filled with three species (one human, one sorta-human, and one very-alien). The basic premise of the game is the same for each species: build a base, build supply depots, build "gather" units, and collect the rare blue crystals which serve as the game's money. With the money you can build additional units, troops, buildings which allow you to build bigger and badder troops, as well as upgrade your unit's abilities. Each species, however, has its own little nuances that must be mastered. The Zurg, for instance, run on the bug/larva system, where your main base generates larvae, then you instruct it to "morph" into another unit. The Protoss require energy sphere-type-objects to be constructed wherever units or buildings are located. If they're blown up, the units in the area covered by the energy sphere can't be controlled.
As the line goes for Othello, Starcraft takes "a minute to learn, but a lifetime to master." The control system is almost entirely mouse-based, although you can use keyboard shortcuts to speed up play. Units are selected by clicking on them, or by clicking and dragging a box around multiple units. You move them by right clicking, and instruct them to attack by clicking the attack button, then selecting a target. Sounds simple, right?
Not so. Single player mode allows you to play as one of the three species (although Blizzard has decided not to let you play as the more advanced species [Zerg and Protoss] until you have beat the Terran levels. There is a story involved, told through mission briefings and cut-scenes, although that takes a back-seat to the game itself.
Next week: Part 2
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