Another great Blizzard game but some mixed feelings ...

User Rating: 8.5 | Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty PC
Blizzard makes some great games, I think this is pretty obvious by now... well let me clarify, their execution is impeccable, and for what the game is (whichever title) it is done extremely well. I think for me, what comes into question with their games is , what EXACTLY the game IS. After playing the original Starcraft for a couple years in the late 90s, both Diablos, and every Warcraft game I think I have a good enough feeling to answer this question.

Starcraft 2 is no exception from other Blizzard titles as the gameplay, race balancing, visuals, lack of bugs & performance issues all pretty much meet their previous standards of excellence. The question I'm really starting to ask myself after having played this game & watched pros play on web streams for probably hundreds if not thousands of hours is, how much depth is there REALLY to this game?

First off, there are three races, all asymetrical to each other and very unique. Strategy to me, in its essence, is about choices. Player A makes a move, player B responds in no set way. If there is a correct answer to certain strategies, and without much room for deviation, I don't believe it is much for strategy. It just comes down to memorizing builds/unit compositions and counters. And the thing is.... that from my experience with Starcraft 2, is its strategy AT ITS BEST. At its worse (even at the professional level) unit composition choices aren't even an issue in the game. Players use boilerplate unit compositions and defeat their opponents with superior macro & mechanics.
Macro (high apms) and mechanics to me, having been watching the player stream of Grandmaster OgsForGG for a few months, is the decisive factor in this game. I just watched him beat another top GSL player on his stream (maybe the most well known) IamMVP and it came down to macro and mechanics. (micro is a subset of mechanics, not strategy) It was funny they both had almost the exact same unit composition it was, as I said earlier, as if they read the situation (far positions, TvT, etc) and made the exact same choices. But OgsForGG won how he almost always wins, by not slipping on the macro end and having really good control of his units. Usually its just marines and marauders with him, but this game there was more mech based play.

I think in having 3 races that play totally differently, and in having situations that are conducive for particular units i.e. banshees for long distance harass, Starcraft 2 by being ecclectic creates the illusion of strategy. The problem is the strategies in Starcraft 2 interlock in set ways with other counter strategies, which makes the game not really strategic at all. Once again, usually it just seems to come down to control and mechanics. Let me clarify what I mean for any players not yet familiar with the genre: The deciding factor, I believe, in skill in this game is not so much strategic decision as it is fast, coordinated, rhythmic, and persistent button mashing. Fitting as many small tasks be it, moving your forces, queing up units for production, making buildings, upgrading, or harassing, into as little time as possible without making mistakes. The actual strategic element of the game, is in my opinion, secondary.

However, the strategy element aside, Starcraft 2 is definitely a fun game. If you haven't gotten into this genre yet, I would definitely reccomend it as you will probably have lots of fun. But, if I have to give any advice on playing the game, it is not to get too caught up in the league & ranking aspect of it as there really isn't much there. Just play the game for fun alone. There are better places to look if you are looking for a game that has strategy & depth.