StarCraft 64

Written by Matt Swider  on July 11, 2000

Review: Crafting on a console is more fun than it may seem.

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After many delays, the old StarCraft series from the PC has finally landed and it fits the console very nicely. As an owner of the PC version of the game, I was reluctant to pick this game up, although at the same time, interested in seeking the changes made during the games development on the N64. Although the game wasn't exactly the same as you might find on the PC, I still found this version entertaining. One of the largest differences that console players will miss out on is having no option to kick ass against my staff and some reader's asses in a little online play action. But hey, what can you do about that? In any case, if you do own a copy of the PC version of StarCraft, I invite you to join the staff and many other readers in either channel GamingTarget or Nintendorks for an online game on Battle.net. It's just Too bad for you console users.

The visuals in StarCraft 64 seem to be up to standard for a Real Time Strategy game on the N64, but that doesn't exactly mean it comes close to what you can find on the PC version. PC players will notice the changes right away as the try to spot the difference between the marines and other sprites moving along the map. Newbie StarCraft gamers just won't know which troops are which, never mind struggling to tell them apart. The graphics seem to be very gritty and the movement in the game seems very slow and the response of your selected troops is rather hesitant as well.

As I went through the game's menus, I found it to be very organized and easy to use. This will help every gamer get to the game without a complicated setup process. There were also some FMV clips included, which won't present anything special. So, do the blurry graphics ruin the game in terms of enjoyment? Hell no. You will keep on playing, and should take note; Real Time Strategy games were never meant to be visually impressive.

Not too many changes were made in the audio section of the game. As I listened music from the first second during the title screen, I predicted that the audio in the game would be PC perfect. Everything was there except for the voices during the mission briefings, but I didn't miss, although, I did have to use my reading skills...during summer vacation. Each unit will respond with a sometimes-muffled comment or sound effect when you click on them. The music and sound throughout the game is limited, but nicely done.

The true gem of StarCraft 64 can be found in the gameplay. The game gives a choice between three types of races, Terran, Zerg, and Protoss. The Terran will seem like the human race with many similar weapons to a regular army. This race uses marines, tanks, and even nuclear launches. Next up, we have the Zerg who look like an insect type alien. The Zerg race is very fast at building, yet the weakest of the bunch. This race can rush another by building their lowest offensive unit, the Zergling, and attack another player before they even had the chance to really build anything. If you can use them right, you can win the game through speed. Lastly we have the Protoss, the opposite of the Zerg. This race may be very slow, but they are also very strong when matched up against any other race. The Terran sit in the middle of the Zerg and Protoss, and that is why many beginners to the game use the race.

When the game starts, you begin with Terran when you play the missions. There are six different paths where you play each race twice. The game includes a storyline in which each race battles against one another through 10 missions for each path for a total of 57 missions in all. This game takes missions from both the PC version of StarCraft and its expansion, Brood Wars. The game contains 27 maps where you can battle a friend in two-player mode, which requires the Expansion Pak to play. You can also include the computer as a couple players for a huge battle battle to test your RTS skills.

The basic idea and concept behind the StarCraft series is based on the same ones Command & Conquer, although StarCraft advances over regular RTS games. Where StarCraft departs from just being collecting minerals, building, then attacking with an army type game, is how different units match up and through research and upgrading for superior attacking and defense. Some units can use a feature to ghost where they become invisible. Only certain units from the other player can detect these ghost units, and if they don't have any, they can be screwed to defend themselves. When you research abilities for units, they gain new special skills to help cream the other player. Upgrading can improve the defense and offense of both your unit and buildings.