Click to enlarge

Computer and Video Games has posted a new preview of the upcoming StarCraft II. The article focuses on several of the new units available to Terrans in the long awaited sequel. StarCraft II will return players to the storyline several years after the end of BroodWar. The game will include an epic single player campaign, improved multiplayer action, and a powerful new editor for players who want to design their own StarCraft creations.

This is the challenge and thrill of Starcraft II, the long, long awaited follow-up to the brilliant sci-fi strategy original. In your hands are tiny soldiers and glorious machinery. When you throw them against an enemy the result is usually swift and obvious: you either win, or you don't.

The weak-points are clear. Groups of Thors waddle into action, their stumpy legs barely carrying the great mass of metal and gunpowder hefted on their iron shoulders. All that weight causes them problems when turning. Like the Death Star, their guns can't track fast-moving targets. The canny commander will get infantry in close to circle the Thor, cackling as they dodge its artillery barrage.

In the same way that dogs can't look up, the Viking can't defend itself from surface attack when on high, or air attack when grounded. Entire platoons can vanish if caught out.

This is deliberate, purposeful, clever balancing. The Blizzard team making Starcraft II are all long-term veterans of real-time strategy development. They're led by Rob Pardo - he worked as a designer on the original Starcraft, led the development of its expansion pack, Brood War, and now supervises design on all Blizzard's games.

Computer and Video Games: SC II Preview

Blizzard Entertainment (add to watch list)

StarCraft II: Wings Of Liberty (add to watch list)

Buy StarCraft II: Wings Of Liberty

Search for other Mac games news stories or browse our Mac Games News Archive.