StarCraft

 PC
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 1307 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,190 out of 1307
  2. Mixed: 74 out of 1307
  3. Negative: 43 out of 1307
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  1. grandpajoe6191
    Sep 19, 2011
    9
    AMAZING!!! even better than WOW!!!
  2. Arbiter61
    Sep 16, 2017
    10
    Starcraft, as almost anyone who grew up playing it will tell you, is one of the most important RTS games of all time. In this reviewers opinion, it is one of the best and most important games of all time across any genre, or platform. And what modern gamers need to understand, is that discussing Starcraft in this way is a bit like trying to explain to young boxing fans why fighters likeStarcraft, as almost anyone who grew up playing it will tell you, is one of the most important RTS games of all time. In this reviewers opinion, it is one of the best and most important games of all time across any genre, or platform. And what modern gamers need to understand, is that discussing Starcraft in this way is a bit like trying to explain to young boxing fans why fighters like Floyd Mayweather Jr would never stand a chance against legends like Rocky Marciano from the past.

    The reason is simply that games like this one were successful in a time where the competition was intense. In the 90's, gaming graphics were overall still pretty terrible. 3D gaming was limited in its capabilities, and still mostly relegated to the FPS genre. As a result, the decade produced some of the finest RTS games to have ever been designed before or since.

    Games like those in the Civilization franchises, the Red Alert Franchise, Warcraft, and others all were incredibly popular, and innovative for the time. So when I describe Starcraft as the king of RTS, I say that will the weight of a champion who has bested not only its peers of the day, but those who are considered among the best that have ever been.

    Frankly, this game is 20 years old, and I feel a review on the nature of its play is virtually irrelevant at this point. But I will say that despite its age, it continues to feel enjoyable to play even now. The greatest bulk of this game's design was in the replayability factor. It's simply off the charts. It is still played around the world to this day, professionally and there is ample reason why.

    As a young gamer, I knew what Starcraft was. Starcraft was the modern day Chess...except there were 3 unique armies, instead of one. In this way, and on a cubic scale, Starcraft will continue to be important in the same way Chess has been for centuries, for years to come. It's no coincidence that the re-mastered edition has only just come out, and in time I predict we will see that that release is just the first of many re-releases of what is unequivocally the best RTS ever made.

    Why do I keep saying that? Its re-playable, yes. But why? Simple. It's the most balanced game to ever be built. In any game system, in any genre, anywhere across time, you will see flaws in any system wherein differing groups are sent to face one another. Whether you look at games like Street Fighter or Tekken, or others like Call of Duty or even any given pinball machine, there will always be an *optimal* approach, race, character, or design which is simply superior to all others in the game. Inevitably, the game becomes more of a competition of who is the best at using that particular configuration to win.

    But Starcraft proved that games *could* be made which lacked this fatal flaw. While many players on the professional level seem to believe that the Zerg race offers an overall slight edge, this may be more about the likely psychological preferences of the kinds of players who are the best in the world, rather than a true edge inherent in that species.

    Moreover, outside the realm of top 1% of professional gamers, the rest of us will gladly be able to enjoy a seamlessly perfect warfare, with each race inhabiting unique advantages and challenges to overcome, as well as intricate and various means by which to counter any given enemy assault or defense.

    In spite of all the complexities the game offers though, the end result is the same: A simple to pick up, difficult to master, masterpiece of RTS perfection which will forever be the yard stick by which its successors will be measured.

    As a fan of all races, but one who's heart will forever belong to the mighty Terrans, I will finish off this review with a "Shields up, weapons online!" "Awwww yeah!"    … Expand
  3. Ben
    Aug 8, 2004
    10
    Over five years after release and still thousands play it both for its awesome Singleplayer and even better multiplayer. A game so popular top players went on TV and starred in TV ads (Fanta, anyone)... A Classic.
  4. EricZ.
    May 4, 2006
    10
    Best RTS EVER! I'm so sick of swords, magic and axes! Blizzard.....Please resume with Starcraft (not ghost!).
  5. S.J.
    Jul 31, 2004
    10
    This games plot is so good, dated but never the less it is one of the best rts games of all time.
  6. JustinY.
    Apr 4, 2006
    10
    Yeah what is wrong with these critics... Revolutionary, massively multiplayer community, huge fan base, still over 10,000 players online in the year 2006. Released in 1998.
  7. Heartless
    Jun 22, 2007
    10
    Okay, docking marks because a game isn't groundbreaking or pioneering a new genre is ridiculous... If that were the case, everything save a few games would have lowered marks. You need to see it for what it is, and as has been said a couple times, it really is a complex game with alot of thought behind everything you do. To be amazing at it isn't simple, and I think that counts Okay, docking marks because a game isn't groundbreaking or pioneering a new genre is ridiculous... If that were the case, everything save a few games would have lowered marks. You need to see it for what it is, and as has been said a couple times, it really is a complex game with alot of thought behind everything you do. To be amazing at it isn't simple, and I think that counts for something.… Expand
  8. BradenM
    Jul 17, 2009
    10
    A timeless masterpiece. At the time of writing, StarCraft is 11 years old. I still play it to this day. The perfectly balanced gameplay never gets dull or boring. I hope StarCraft II will be able to live up to its predecessor.
  9. JonD.
    Dec 20, 2005
    10
    this game has taken not only months but years away from my life... the single player i played and didnt beat without codes. and it took me probably a month of playing every day and thats what 50++ hours of gameplay... that is true but it also goes for both starcraft and BroodWar put together so its still a wicked long single player so to the final critic who said the single player is too this game has taken not only months but years away from my life... the single player i played and didnt beat without codes. and it took me probably a month of playing every day and thats what 50++ hours of gameplay... that is true but it also goes for both starcraft and BroodWar put together so its still a wicked long single player so to the final critic who said the single player is too short you should never rate another RTS and there are no 100s from critics so i think this is a very weird rating from cricis since if you go to blizzard.com and look at awards this game won game of the year from a 10+ companys idk exactly thou.… Expand
  10. Audius
    Nov 5, 2012
    10
    Greatest game ever made. Nothing will ever beat the community of good ol' b.net 1.0.
  11. Toffenuff
    Jun 19, 2013
    10
    I've spent so many hours of my life on this game, I may as well have gone pro. So much fun to play in LAN with your friends. Great storylines for each race, all interwoven together nicely, and very memorable characters. The graphics were fantastic for its time, I remember being very impressed by how realistic it all looked when I first played this. Now of course it looks dated and old, butI've spent so many hours of my life on this game, I may as well have gone pro. So much fun to play in LAN with your friends. Great storylines for each race, all interwoven together nicely, and very memorable characters. The graphics were fantastic for its time, I remember being very impressed by how realistic it all looked when I first played this. Now of course it looks dated and old, but they don't call it a classic because it's new; it's old! But it never gets old. Haha

    I no longer play the original, but I still have the CD and only uninstalled it finally about four years ago. I play SC2 now. You could probably get this basically for free from a friend or online and if you love RTS games, you cannot go wrong with Starcraft.    … Expand
  12. Dozmo
    Oct 14, 2014
    10
    One of the top 5 genre-defining strategy games, well up there with Supreme Commander, Total Annihilation, Command and Conqueror, Dune, etc. Any serious fan of strategy games owes it to themselves to play this - it is the source of many of the genre's conventions. The graphics are dated, yes, but everything else is of legendary quality, and you can pick it up fairly cheaply nowadays.
  13. ClaySoldier
    Apr 25, 2013
    10
    Back in the days when Blizzard were still small guys trying to make a living, they gave the world one of the best games there is.
    Enter StarCraft.
    With interesting story, addictive gameplay, this masterpiece was easy to learn and hard to master. Both unforgivable and rewarding, there was nothing like clash of massive armies, one of which you spend skill and resources to build, and    Back in the days when Blizzard were still small guys trying to make a living, they gave the world one of the best games there is.
    Enter StarCraft.
    With interesting story, addictive gameplay, this masterpiece was easy to learn and hard to master. Both unforgivable and rewarding, there was nothing like clash of massive armies, one of which you spend skill and resources to build, and controlled at your best. Immersing yourself in Koprulu sector for battles, everyday after school with your friends, building precious memories and nostalgia of a time when Blizzard did give a damn for you.
    These were the golden ages of multiplayer, and StarCraft was one of the giants. With time the game became a cult, a passion, a sport, a legacy which to this day is cherished, loved, respected.
    Today, the mighty Blizzard have fallen, they are nothing but a former glory, a shadow of once a great giant committed to deliver to his followers...
    But still, if you didn't play this game do yourself a favor, and taste what was Blizzard at it's best!    … Expand
  14. Red-Rocket
    Jun 23, 2013
    10
    If pro players can make a LIVING off of this game, you know that something is right about this game. One of the if not the best RTS game made in a very, very long time.
  15. DeusXCom
    Aug 5, 2014
    10
    To this day the best multiplayer strategy game of all time. 3 completely different factions, yet perfectly balanced, still not sure how they achieved this, but it's a huge achievement. Incredibly fun, playable and fantastic on every level. The visuals, music, all the different troops with their voices, cinematics. The single player campaign was good, but it's the multiplayer that turnedTo this day the best multiplayer strategy game of all time. 3 completely different factions, yet perfectly balanced, still not sure how they achieved this, but it's a huge achievement. Incredibly fun, playable and fantastic on every level. The visuals, music, all the different troops with their voices, cinematics. The single player campaign was good, but it's the multiplayer that turned Starcraft into a timeless classic. 10/10… Expand
  16. bookreade
    Apr 17, 2014
    10
    Best RTS game ever.Very good game balance.3 race with different gameplay, in 1998 it was revolution.Also it perfect Multiplayer perfect game game.Fast and hardcore.
  17. Gregon
    Nov 20, 2014
    10
    Simply put, Starcraft is the finest game ever to be made. People have literally died from playing too much Starcraft. It essentially created eSports. It popularized RTS (real-time strategy) games. The balanced asymmetry was truly a unique feature, one that has been difficult for other studios to emulate. The use-map settings created an incubator in which entire genres of games wereSimply put, Starcraft is the finest game ever to be made. People have literally died from playing too much Starcraft. It essentially created eSports. It popularized RTS (real-time strategy) games. The balanced asymmetry was truly a unique feature, one that has been difficult for other studios to emulate. The use-map settings created an incubator in which entire genres of games were produced.

    Starcraft is the father of modern gaming.    … Expand
  18. Yukle
    Sep 20, 2017
    10
    As close to perfect as anybody can make, StarCraft is the legacy Blizzard has long since tried to replicate.

    Three balanced races, a stunning single-player story and endless LAN potential make this the definitive RTS. In fact, it's fair to say that it's the only game of the genre that survived the DOTA map in WarCraft III that caused a transition from RTS to MOBA. The game has just    As close to perfect as anybody can make, StarCraft is the legacy Blizzard has long since tried to replicate.

    Three balanced races, a stunning single-player story and endless LAN potential make this the definitive RTS. In fact, it's fair to say that it's the only game of the genre that survived the DOTA map in WarCraft III that caused a transition from RTS to MOBA.

    The game has just been re-released and it is as compelling as ever - a game that is unmatched before or since.    … Expand
  19. voditelnlo
    Dec 19, 2018
    10
    One of those rare games that is not overly complex, but provides a challenging and fun gaming experience. It never seems to get old or boring.
  20. tsabszy
    Aug 16, 2010
    10
    This game is never getting old :) Now that SC2 is finally out I put my Starcraft cd-s onto my shelves.. One week before Starcraft 2 Beta I was still playing with the 1st sequel and i have been creating and scripting custom maps for that game for years!! Love the feeling, epic ending, characters, stories, races, music, cutscenes and everything about this game!
  21. deadlockedworld
    Jan 25, 2013
    10
    Best game ever made. Will never be surpassed. Period.
  22. Everlong
    Apr 7, 2012
    10
    Starcraft is truly a landmark RTS game, and an absolute joy to play. I have spent hour upon hour playing this game and every moment was worth the experience. Even today Starcraft is still played, which is a testament to it's brilliant design.
  23. Helmore
    Apr 5, 2012
    10
    Great singleplayer coupled with great mutliplayer creates an experience like no other. The music is great, the gameplay is fluent and solid. You'll have a ton of fun playing it.
  24. Ghost67
    Jan 8, 2015
    10
    Starcraft is generally considered to be the greatest RTS games of all time, along with its sister, Warcraft 3.

    Starcraft left a lasting impact on gaming. During this time period - the golden age of games - we saw the rise of online competitive play. Starcraft single handidly took over an entire country (Korea) to become an actual e-sport, and with Unreal Tournament (online competitive    Starcraft is generally considered to be the greatest RTS games of all time, along with its sister, Warcraft 3.

    Starcraft left a lasting impact on gaming. During this time period - the golden age of games - we saw the rise of online competitive play. Starcraft single handidly took over an entire country (Korea) to become an actual e-sport, and with Unreal Tournament (online competitive FPS) helped spawn an entire new sporting industry. Starcraft helped catapult Battle.net to THE place to go for online gaming at the time.

    The visuals, music, gameplay and story is masterfully done. Blizzard during the late 90's was unstoppable. This, Warcraft 2 and 3, and Diablo.

    Starcraft is considered to be the pinnacle of pure RTS gameplay. There are other titles out there (most notably Command and Conquer) but Starcraft stands head and shoulders above the rest. I personally have played much more WC3 than Starcraft, but I have immense respect for the game and recognize it's accomplishments. Anything less than a 10/10 is a travesty for this game.

    This is all that needs to be said.    … Expand
  25. Nosirrah123
    Mar 17, 2013
    9
    Even after 10 years, this is still a standout title. It's aged very very well. One of those games that you can't stop playing. It's an absolutely perfect example of easy to learn, hard to master, there's something here for anyone with any interest in RTS. Still doesn't look too bad graphically, well except for the cutscenes. After the first mission theres one in particular where the peopleEven after 10 years, this is still a standout title. It's aged very very well. One of those games that you can't stop playing. It's an absolutely perfect example of easy to learn, hard to master, there's something here for anyone with any interest in RTS. Still doesn't look too bad graphically, well except for the cutscenes. After the first mission theres one in particular where the people are so badly rendered and the dialogue is so hilarious I was busting my sides. Even the better people look ridiculous. Blizzard had a nasty habit of having horribly modeled people with freaky faces. It's a really awesome game though, and I really suggest it to anyone.… Expand
  26. Wonder_Boy
    Mar 5, 2013
    10
    Easily the best RTS game in history. Not for the faint of heart. For mavericks only. If you are a candle in the wind, this game is not for you. However if you consider yourself not to be a grab it and have fun
  27. Tubie
    Oct 2, 2010
    10
    I still remember coming home from school to play this game with friends and stopping just in time for bed time and thinking "I forgot to eat again" ah the good days~
  28. Fuzzi99
    Dec 28, 2010
    10
    Even this game is pushing on 13 years old it is still one of the best RTS games ever released for PC/MAC, and until Starcraft II, the best game released by Blizzard ever!
  29. DWlubu1998
    Jul 20, 2011
    9
    This has to be the best RTS iv ever played! 3 different chapters with 3 different groups and some levals that you really got to put up a good fight and make good strategy's and decisions and just a really fun game, it even has multiplayer if you get bord with the campain. Create classes, make building to help further your base and then destroy the enemy. This is a really solid PC game.
  30. Humboldt1337
    Oct 13, 2011
    10
    Blizzard had become the evil empire of gaming, perhaps even more so than EA since the release of WoW - but you cannot deny the incredible ingenuity and epic scope of the games they made before that time.
    Starcraft was not the first RTS that Blizzard made (all the Warcraft titles) but was certainly the best. Anyone criticizing this game for anything needs to have their head hit against a    Blizzard had become the evil empire of gaming, perhaps even more so than EA since the release of WoW - but you cannot deny the incredible ingenuity and epic scope of the games they made before that time.
    Starcraft was not the first RTS that Blizzard made (all the Warcraft titles) but was certainly the best. Anyone criticizing this game for anything needs to have their head hit against a wall.
    This game is so good, it is literally a national sport in Korea. The guys who win the national championship for this game are put on the Wheaties box - yes, just like Olympic athletes. Unreal.
    This is one of the best games ever, and certainly the best RTS ever - the incredible balance of the game has never been equaled since.
    Play this game now - then go play StarCraft II, it is not as good, but far more updated.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best PC Game of 1998
2
#2 Most Discussed PC Game of 1998
6
#6 Most Shared PC Game of 1998

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. TotalGames.net
    93
    If real aliens turn up while you are playing this, they don’t stand a chance of getting your attention.
    Read full review
  2. Yahoo!
    90
    You get a fun, instantly appealing, easy to play-hard to master real-time strategy, with character and an endless amount of playability.
    Read full review
  3. All Game Guide
    90
    It truly revolutionizes and sets a new standard for real-time strategy games on the PC.
    Read full review
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