StarCraft II multiplayer picks up right where it left off 10-years ago, fast paced and competitive. Only this time around you have a few more tricks up your sleeve, actually, a lot more.
First let me start off by stating that the move from 2D to 3D should not be under estimated! Now I'm not talking strictly about the graphical improvements here, I'm talking about how the use of all three dimensions fundamentally changes the way the game is played. Being able to scale cliffs and traverse gaps in terrain unlocks the third dimension and opens up a whole new plethora of strategies. It seriously may take you some time to start thinking in 3D when you first play this game.
My time on the multiplayer machine in the press room was well spent & kicking this poor slup's Protoss ass into next week. Granted, it was probably the guy's first time playing StarCraft II, and he had no clue where all his units were, but whatever, it was only my second game so I'm going to brag.
Mixed forces of Protoss engage in battle on the tileset "Haven."
First order of duty when the match finished loading, was to get my mineral line up and running, and after that it was scouting and building. It was at this point I learned the value in the new macro mechanics that have been added to the game, specifically Multiple Building Selection (MBS).
MBS is awesome for a casual player, and while veterans may call you a n00b, don't worry, they'll be taking advantage of it too. The fact of the matter is which ever player micromanages their units better will be the winner, and as you read on I'll prove how this is true.
Terran infantry and vikings try to stop a group of Protoss colossi from crossing a river.
With a simple holding of the shift key, I was able to queue up a number of buildings for construction; first a barracks, then a supply depot and then another barracks. One barracks had a reactor, which allowed two units to be built at the same, and the other had a tech lab, which is where unit's weapon and armor upgrades are researched now instead of the engineering bay.
While this was going on I used an SCV to scout out the map. By holding the shift key and right-clicking at the various other mineral locations around the map I was able to set waypoints for my SCV. This allowed me to scout while easily continuing base building operations.
Terran vikings and nighthawks battle each other within a Terran base on the tileset "Shakuras."
After pumping out a few Marines and setting up a bunker or two, I built a Shadow Ops building which would enable me to use a new tactic I had been dying to try, Reaper raids.
I quickly built five Reapers and researched their time bomb ability. Time bombs are high yield explosives that when thrown have a four to five second fuse and then detonate dealing fairly heavy damage.
By this point, my scouting mission was a success. I lost my SCV because I forgot about it and some Zealots thrashed it, but his sacrifice was not in vain, now I knew where his mineral line was. My Reapers moved quickly and without hesitation, jumping over walls and gaps in the terrain. The ramp at the front of his base was blocked by photon cannons; the back of his base and mineral line however, was unprotected.
Protoss colossi, immortals, and stalkers descend upon a Terran encampment in the tileset "New Folsom."
Up the cliff and through a man-made wall of exhaust smoke (a doodad on the tileset that wouldn't reveal the fog of war until I had walked through it), my Reapers tossed time bombs up and down the mineral line completely obliterating all but one Probe. The Reapers' machine pistols made quick work of the last Probe before focusing their fire on the approaching Zealots. Eight Zealots vs. five Reapers, I was out matched and forced to retreat. Or was I?
I quickly jet-packed off the cliff to the low-ground, this gave my time bombs the chance to recharge. Moments later my harbingers of death rearmed and back up the cliff they went, I was Zealot hunting. Five time bombs, some machine pistol fire and four seconds later there were three less Zealots. A few more jet-pack raids like that and I managed to take out the remaining five Zealots and another four or five Probes. GG.
I think my opponent and I both learned how devastating and effective a Reaper raid can be. What I also realized is that he could have easily countered it. Reapers are quick and versatile but they aren't durable in a toe-to-toe battle. Had he researched his Zealot's charge ability my tactic would have be rendered useless because it would have removed my speed advantage.
This one multiplayer game showed me that good micro will always beat improved macro, so the hardcore gamers can take a breath and relax. It also opened my eyes to the third dimension and all the possibilities it opens. Battle.net 2.0 is going to rage like never before when this game releases in early 2009.
For news about StarCraft II's Trilogy announcement head HERE
For more impressions on StarCraft II's graphics and overall gameplay head to GamePro.com HERE
There's still plenty more to come in the way of StarCraft II news including gameplay videos, cinematic trailers and interviews so keep checking back!
