StarCraft

 PC
StarCraft Image
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 1307 Ratings

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  • Summary: In the distant future a small group of human exiles have been doomed to fight for survival on the edge of the galaxy. Through military strength, espionage and deceit, a unified Terran government has maintained an uneasy peace. As resources run short, however, these Confederate nations findIn the distant future a small group of human exiles have been doomed to fight for survival on the edge of the galaxy. Through military strength, espionage and deceit, a unified Terran government has maintained an uneasy peace. As resources run short, however, these Confederate nations find themselves looking towards the rich worlds of their alien neighbors, the enigmatic Protoss. To further complicate matters, it seems that a previously unknown and deadly species known only as the Zerg has entered Protoss space and is destroying everything in its path. The time for war has come... As the military leader for your species, you must gather the resources you need to train and expand your forces and lead them to victory. 30 unique missions will challenge you across three different campaigns as you control the fate of the galaxy.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Gamers' Temple
    96
    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.
  2. IGN
    95
    The distinctive races, units, spell abilities, and bases are all unique and clever, so it's amazing that the game is as well balanced as it is. This is what gameplay is all about.
  3. Electric Playground
    95
    Another glowing aspect of StarCraft is its absolutely brilliant Campaign Editor. This is the very best make-your-own game interface ever made.
  4. Computer Games Magazine
    90
    Its well-developed plot, unique races, intuitive interface, and excellent campaign editor make it worth the price of admission, especially for those that liked "Warcraft II."
  5. 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.
  6. All Game Guide
    90
    It truly revolutionizes and sets a new standard for real-time strategy games on the PC.
  7. Game Revolution
    75
    All in all, if you buy StarCraft, you're buying it for the multi-player. The single-player is just too short and disappointing...The game just doesn't live up to the lofty goals of its predecessors, and for that, it suffers.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 171 out of 185
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 185
  3. Negative: 6 out of 185
  1. PaulM.
    Feb 24, 2005
    10
    This game took months of my life away. Simply the most addicting game ever!!
  2. 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 wasThis 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!… Expand
  4. AlexS.
    Dec 7, 2007
    10
    It changed the face and set the pace of the RTS world, and no RTS game has more of an online cult following nor an equal paid-competitive It changed the face and set the pace of the RTS world, and no RTS game has more of an online cult following nor an equal paid-competitive (See South Korea) scene as Starcraft. Flawless balance!… Expand
  5. Yomi07
    Mar 8, 2019
    10
    This is one of my all time favorites. one of the best RTS games out there.
  6. 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.
  7. ChierHu
    Feb 10, 2021
    9
    The original version of StarCraft is an excellent example of a game of emergence. StarCraft helped define the real-time strategy genre. LikeThe original version of StarCraft is an excellent example of a game of emergence. StarCraft helped define the real-time strategy genre. Like Civilization, the individual game elements are fairly simple, but there are many interrelationships among them, setting up a system of game mechanics that has many interesting emergent properties. During the single-player campaign, you play through 30 missions, which nearly all have you build a base, manage your resources, and construct and upgrade an attack force before obliterating your opponents. The progression within a single StarCraft level is almost always the same, and because it is predictable, a given level does not feel very storylike.
    StarCraft also tells a story around the levels. In many ways, it is a good example of storytelling in games, with a narrative that is more dramatic than most games of its time. In fact, its storyline follows a structure similar to a classical tragedy, which is definitely rare in games. However, the story is only a framing device around the core gameplay. The player’s performance and choices have no impact on the plot, apart from the fact that the player must complete missions to advance the story. The story provides context and motivation for the game but is not an integrated part of the gameplay.    … Expand
  8. AtomicNinjaBear
    Feb 12, 2022
    0
    Best RTS of all time. The fast pace and offensive-rewarding game style as well as amazing balance hasn't been successfully replicated in anyBest RTS of all time. The fast pace and offensive-rewarding game style as well as amazing balance hasn't been successfully replicated in any RTS I know of.… Expand

See all 185 User Reviews

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

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