Starcraft 2 is out

Tridus

Join Date 03/2008

+110

There wasn't really anything that didn't tie in with the story, but the "story" has more going on then just the main plot. I guess that could be called filler, though I like it over the more normal RTS campaign where everything has to be directly part of the main plot because the story has to move so fast that there's no time to cover anything else that is going on.

Everything they have you do ties into Raynor's actions in some way.

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Quoting GJDriessen,

reply 150

...especially if you also want to play lots of mp. However, now I'm not so sure. Perhaps I will first play more Distant Worlds and Sins, before I try SC2.

Don't let my comments regarding the single player campaign put you off the gameplay - the game is impecably polished, and the multiplayer really is where the game shines. The league breakdown (copper, bronze, silver, gold, etc.) help seperate the people who like the game and play it once in a while from the people who play the game non-stop. It's a lot of fun. If you loved Starcarft's multiplayer, Starcraft II is the game for you. However, if Starcraft was simply 'good' for you, then I'd advise waiting to purchase all three together. You'll feel better about it not having spent AU$300.00.

Quoting OMG_Splitshadow,

reply 151

The "filler" content in the single player I think ZehDon is referring to is basically the optional missions. I LOVE all of the optional missions and different choices you can make which actually affect the rest of the campaign. Unlike a LOT of similar games where every single mission is "build a base, destroy the enemy base," I'd say at least 80% of the campaign missions have a unique twist that make them different. Some of the missions may "feel" like filler because they don't tie in directly with the story, but then again, they can't be imperative to the story without becoming mandatory.

That's a valid point. My problem isn't so much that the missions are optional (I really liked Dawn of War II's campaign structure, for example) rather that they're merely tacked on. They simply don't carry enough weight. The Tosh/Nova side plot is simply that; a side plot. It just doesn't do enough to warrant splitting the game into three sections. Considering just how engaging the original Starcraft campaign was, and it had no optional missions or the like, Starcraft II's campaign simply is not good enough.
The choice between the Doctor and your Protoss friends, for example, is an example of how to do optional missions correctly. I sat for a moment and thought about that. Having played through the original's campaign, I knew that Zerg infestations were pretty bad, however I wanted to save people. Having sided with the Doctor (I've spoilered this part, highlight to read) only to then have her leave the story permantley, and never have a scene showing the real ramifications of that choice really degraded what should have been a meaningful choice into a forgetable one.
The optional missions provided money for upgrades and research poins. They didn't offer any real side plots, or any real developments. They were simply disconnected. My complaint is then not that there were optional missions, but that Blizzard traded the other two campaigns to include them, and they simply didn't provide something of equal value. However, clearly not everyone shares my opinion, and hopefully Blizzard take criticisms like mine on board for the next Expansion pack and released something that really shines.

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What, did you want her to don her battle gear and join the fray? As far as I'm concerned, the Doctor's subplot has a logical beginning and conclusion.

Most of the optional/filler missions are opportunities to go get some cash, subvert the Dominion, or research the other races, which fits in with the story considering you're the leader of a band of underfunded terrorists. I think that making the units themselves researchable at the armory, rather than making the units upgradeable, would make acquiring credits a larger part of the game. Nonetheless, the optional missions were fun and they did help you down the road.

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Saint Mina

Join Date 07/2007

+20

I just finished this StarCraft 2 and Liked better than C&C 4, R.U.S.E., and SS 2.

When I was looking at the very long, long credits, I found Star Wars had a hand in it. LucasFilm's is making a profit on this kool game. Oh, how you ask, most (but not all of it) of the music is done by SkyWalker Synphony Orchestra so there you have it, I'm rich but I need more money so I got on a seller so you know that game is going to big and at $60 for 26 Terran Missions (some Protoss too and that secret map too)

Saint Mina of Ophelia VII of Order of the Bloody Rose of Orders Militant of Adepta Sororitas

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Quoting GmOOnii,

reply 155

60 for 26 Terran Missions (some Protoss too and that secret map too)

$60 for 29 Terran missions, the fantastic online play and ladder system, thousand upon thousands of custom games, your own map editor in case modding is your thing, the 9 or 10 mission Protoss campaign, a series challenges that let you test your skills, and lots of achievements that help give the campaign replay value.

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awuffleablehedgie

Join Date 04/2009

+60

RUSE isn't even released yet. The beta hardly counts compared to a whole game.

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Quoting OMG_Splitshadow,

reply 156

$60 for 29 Terran missions, the fantastic online play and ladder system, thousand upon thousands of custom games, your own map editor in case modding is your thing, the 9 or 10 mission Protoss campaign, a series challenges that let you test your skills, and lots of achievements that help give the campaign replay value...

The 29 "Terran" missions is inclusive of the Protoss Missions - there are 29 total missions for the single player campaign, no more, no less. I believe there are three Protoss missions, it's certainly nowhere near 9. And the entire game is hindered the point of stupidity by Battle.net 2.0. Custom games? They're not popular because you can't name them and their options are very limited. There are no lobbies, no chat channels; it's a ghost town. Custom Maps? Each person is limited to a total of 5 custom maps, with a 10mb limit on each map and all 5 maps must be less than 20mb combined. Any map you play on must be hosted on Battle.net servers, which means if you're locked into SEA, then you have a total of six custom maps available to you, none of which are being played. Due to the rating system, only the most popular maps (re: the oldest maps) are played, so any new maps are lost and abandonded. And don't even get me started of regional restrictions: NA is pretty much the community. If you don't live in NA, you're an after thought and you're community is non-existant. As such, the game is simply not worth the US$60.00 price tag. I paid AU$80.00 for mine, that's around AU$30.00 cheaper than the asking price, and even I feel ripped off.

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