Starcraft is an RTS game that revolves around a conflict between three sentient species. The adaptable human Terrans, the technologically advanced Protoss, and the insectoid Zerg swarm struggle for dominance in the distant Koprulu Sector.
Unlike most other RTS games, which feature opposing sides with a similar selection of units, Blizzard wanted to create races that required radically different play styles. This is accomplished through asymmetrical unit design.
Real-time strategy
StarCraft is a real-time strategy game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. It is set in a fictional universe where three intelligent species—human Terrans, insectoid Zerg, and technologically advanced Protoss—are in a battle for dominance.
The game’s core gameplay revolves around collecting and using resources to build units. Players must balance the need to gather resources quickly and efficiently with defending their resources against the enemy’s attack.
Skilled StarCraft players often deploy strategies that vary from one game to the next. This is largely due to the varying map structures and player skill levels. For example, a Zerg v Zerg matchup typically begins with an early-game Zergling Zerglingnd transitions into mutalisks, devourers, and scourges. This type of play requires a high APM, which is the number of actions per minute that can be issued by a player. Professional StarCraft players maintain hundreds of APMs or more. A high APM allows a player to construct units faster, and respond to changes in the opponent’s army with speed and efficiency.
Multiplayer
StarCraft is a real-time strategy game with an online multiplayer mode. It is set in a fictional universe in the Koprulu sector of the Milky Way Galaxy and features three intelligent species fighting for dominance: the adaptable human Terrans, the technologically advanced Protoss, and the insectoid Zerg. The game was first released in 1998 by Blizzard Entertainment.
It is one of the most popular RTS games of all time, spawning multiple expansions and spin-offs. The gameplay is complex and challenging, but rewarding when mastery is achieved. The key to mastering the game is efficiency: good use of hotkeys and a solid control group setup are necessary for victory.
The game’s unique unit design allows for a variety of strategies. For example, some units are invisible or untargetable unless they are spotted by a detector unit or building. The Protoss have detector units such as observers, which can be triggered to attack cloaked ground units, or dark archons, which are permanently cloaked but can be summoned to cast a variety of spells.
Single-player campaign
StarCraft features a sweeping single-player campaign that spans all three games in the series: Wings of Liberty, Heart of the Swarm, and Legacy of the Void. Additionally, players can participate in a challenging Co-op commander mode, where they can play as Raynor, Kerrigan, Artanis, Swann, and Zagara.
In this mission, you must defend a Zerg base from attack waves. To do this, you should create a balance of units, including a few Marines for defense against Zealots and Medics to help with healing. In addition, you should build fortifications, as the Zerg will send powerful attack waves.
This mission is another fun introduction to the multiplayer unit system, as it introduces several Protoss mercenaries and high-tech upgrades that are otherwise unavailable in the single-player campaign. For example, the sniper can kill Archons and Colossi very quickly, while the mining laser can break all fortifications. In addition, the rip fields will rapidly degrade units that have low hit points.
Graphics
In the gaming world, StarCraft has long been considered one of the best real-time strategy games ever made. Its story and gameplay are praised for pushing the boundaries of RTS. Its graphics also look dated compared to newer games, but it has remained popular for over a decade after its release.
Interestingly, StarCraft was originally intended to be an adaptation of Warhammer 40K into an RTS, but the game was reworked into an original intellectual property after Games Workshop pulled out. This is probably why the Terran units have that weird space marspace-ook.
The game’s music is also notable, especially when it comes to cinematic interludes. These often feature a distinct musical theme that is associated with a specific unit or location, allowing players to better identify their opponent’s position.