StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm: PC Game Review

It has been three years since StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty came out. In the campaign mode, we watched Jim Raynor rescue Sarah Kerrigan and turn her back into a human. In Heart of the Swarm, you get to follow Kerrigan as she deals with all the changes and her past as the Queen of Blades and leader of the Zerg. Aside from the story, this latest StarCraft II expansion will change how people play the real-time strategy game online with new units and maps.

Tempest and Vipers Fight for the Skies
Courtesy of Activision Blizzard

Sarah Kerrigan
Courtesy of Activision Blizzard

A large Protoss army attacks
Courtesy of Activision Blizzard

HotS New Stuff

StarCraft II is a real-time strategy game where you must manage your resource gathering and armies at the same time. There is no pause button and every decision, big or small, must be made on the fly. In Heart of the Swarm, there are several new units. The Terran faction gains the Widow Mines and Hellbat mode for Hellions. The Protoss gain the Oracle and Tempest. Unfortunately, the Mothership has been removed from the game. Instead, Protoss players get a Mothership Core, which is similar to the Mothership in spells but lacks the cloaking ability. Finally, Zerg gain Vipers and Swarm Hosts.

Fresh From the Oven

While the single player campaign is new and features a never before seen story involving Kerrigan, most StarCraft enthusiasts will already be familiar with the new units and the online multiplayer. That is because developer Blizzard has had Heart of the Swarm in beta test for a very long time, allowing players to test out potential changes and have their say in how the game is developed and balanced. The end result is a very excellent multiplayer game with an interesting single player mode.

If you have enjoyed real-time strategy games in the past, such as Civilization or Warcraft, you will love StarCraft II as it has long been considered the best real-time strategy game of all time. If you have not yet play this type of game, StarCraft II is still worthwhile picking up and learning!

Rating:

Price: $39.99

ESRB Rating: T for Teen

Have Your Say!

Have you played any of the previous StarCraft games? Do you like the StarCraft or Warcraft universe and story? Post your thoughts in the comments section below and discuss with other Kidzworld members!