Blizzard
StarCraft

Twelve years and you don't feel them.

Twelve, like the millions of copies sold.

StarCraft (1998 Blizzard Entertainment) has managed like no other Real Time Strategy game to maintain a longevity that is nothing short of exemplary. At the time of its release, it immediately proved to be light years ahead of the plethora of RTS games produced during that period, offering radical innovations, excellent themes, and at the same time a high level of quality and playability.

The game's story, set in a distant future, revolves around the events of Terran colonists engaged in a grueling space war against two alien civilizations: the monstrous Zerg and the super-technological Protoss, who are in conflict with each other as well. The fascinating plot will lead us to undertake three campaigns (one for each faction) that will involve us in a climate of fragile alliances, kamikaze missions, rebellions, and much more.

The introduction of three totally different races within the same context remains one of the most important steps in the history of real-time strategy games, ensuring the player numerous different units and structures, as well as an infinite number of strategies and tactics of all kinds; even more incredible is the way the creators managed to perfectly balance the many discordant characteristics of each of these populations, ensuring that no race is stronger than the others and that the strongest player is always the one who has best specialized in using their own. Other great innovations include the ability of some units to cloak and the possibility for some structures to reveal their presence using detectors, thus increasing the already high number of strategic solutions.

But it's undoubtedly in the Multiplayer mode that StarCraft gives its best. On the free Battle.net server, hundreds of thousands of users compete online in 'free' matches (from 1 VS 1 up to 4 VS 4) where the basic tactic is often to gather a minimum number of raw materials and then attack and destroy the enemy base as soon as possible. The basic interface, the presence of only two types of resources (Minerals and Vespene Gas), the minimal quantity of commands, and the mouse-keyboard combination significantly speed up the game's dynamics. And it is precisely speed that's the other important key to StarCraft's longevity, where matches often take place in short periods with almost immediate rushes to catch the opponent unprepared right from the start. For those who haven't understood yet, take a look HERE, or even better try playing a 'Fastest Possible Map' online.

The graphic effects, with landscapes and units rendered in fake 3D, remain acceptable (has an RTS ever focused ONLY on graphics?) and the fantastic musical backgrounds give the settings that extra touch of atmosphere that never hurts. Finally, every unit has its own fun display through which it can communicate with us when selected, in pure Commandos style.

Recognized by the major magazines in the field as one of the best PC games ever made, StarCraft is thus THE must for anyone who loves pure strategy and network competition in general. If you're looking for an engaging experience, try it, and you'll be catapulted into a fantastic universe that even inspired a series of novels. Did you like it? Want more? Then also get the splendid expansion Brood War, which adds further settings and units, along with new sensational developments in the saga most loved by online tacticians.

PS: After the recent release of beta keys, Blizzard has confirmed for July 27th the release of the second, long-awaited chapter. Who knows if the beautiful story will continue; in the meantime, I will continue to unleash Hydralisks on the first unsuspecting opponent online... Yes, because I love the Zerg, and who do you love? :D