StarCraft: Battle Chest

UPC: 051581042972

Platform: IBM PC Compatible

Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment

Developer: Blizzard Entertainment

Category: Strategy

Style(s): 2D Real-Time Strategy

Synopsis: In the depths of space, a war is being waged. Three diverse and powerful species are using all of their resources to bring their foes to their knees. These three species have shared past links to one another and are now on a collision course for war with the ultimate prize at stake -- galactic domination.


The Terran race is one of technology and raw power. After centuries of war and failed government projects that divided the planets of the Terran system, a plan was formed to expand. Using technology gained in previous wars, the Terran race managed to send out an experimental program called ATLAS. This sent Terran people off to far away planets in several carrier ships. However, the people mainly found ill fates of death and desolation. Some managed to survive and only after centuries of scavenging, they managed to become a thriving society. They now face the onslaught of a Zerg and Protoss threat.


The Xel 'Naga were responsible for creating the species known as Zerg. The Zerg are insect-like worms that infest "hosts" and use their abilities to alter the surrounding area. The Zerg are heavily protected against fiery and acid-drenched environments and have many different tools to use against their prey, thus requiring caution when encountered.


With links to the Xel 'Naga and the Zerg, the species known as the Protoss are shrouded in mystery. Their technology and advanced thought processes are second to none. They act quickly and decisively, not concerning themselves with regret or remorse. They are now attempting to overwhelm the Terran species in their "New World."


Participation in the war for survival is brought to you in the campaign mode. You start with the Terran species first and after you win their campaign, the next species' campaign will be open to you. Each campaign is different and offers more diverse challenges. Missions are set in a real-time environment and the objectives constantly changing and altering as you proceed. The objective of most missions is usually setting up a base, hit-and-run skirmishes, reconnaissance, or defensive tactics.


Each species has plenty of units and characters for you to use as well. There are marines, Archons, carriers, and many evil Zerg units. Additionally, as part of the StarCraft: Battle Chest, a collection of the original StarCraft and its expansion StarCraft: Brood Wars, you get plenty of new units and structures to enhance the earlier versions. Watch as the invisible Dark Templar rip their foes apart with frightening rapidity. See the Protoss and their Corsairs as they protect air units with the Disruption Web and other powerful skills. Terrans now have medics to make life a lot easier for their marines.


StarCraft: Battle Chest has a few other features as well, such as Internet play on "Battle.net," a system used within the game for melees and furious multiplayer games. Blizzard has also included Prima's strategy guides for each of the games that contain helpful hints and tactics to be employed for the campaigns and missions. ~ Glenn Wigmore, All Game Guide

Package Contents: StarCraft Installation Manual

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad, Keyboard, Mouse

Documentation in the game helps you out in every form. You've got a huge manual to start you off, two massive strategy guides for mastering the game, lots of in-game help and some online support as well. You really won't have a problem finding out what you need to know to get the most enjoyment from this game. ~ Glenn Wigmore, All Game Guide

Great looking units and structures, a plethora of landscapes, polished textures and some good animation equals a great looking game. Really, there aren't many complaints in this department except the game may be a tad dated (c. 2000) in its appearance but it's so polished and fast-moving you can't really gripe. ~ Glenn Wigmore, All Game Guide

In 1997, Blizzard released a real-time strategy game based on their WarCraft engine. The game was StarCraft. In 1998, they released an expansion set to that game, titled StarCraft Expansion Set: Brood War. It further developed the story and added more missions.

The StarCraft: Battle Chest encapsulates both of these great games, as well as two strategy guides from the good people at Prima. The guides are filled with information, tactics and strategies for you to use on your friends or foes when playing either of the two titles. These two strategy guides really beef up the total package these games deliver but even the games themselves are quite an experience.

The story, in short, is a struggle between three warring races in the deep reaches of space. Slightly similar to the story in WarCraft and WarCraft II, StarCraft: Battle Chest revolves around the humanoid Terrans, the mysterious Protoss and the insect-like Zerg. All of them are fighting for galactic domination.

Each species has a unique interface and outlook in its main campaign missions. Even the background music is different for each of the species' scenarios. You will have to get comfortable with the varying units employed by each species because they can be hard to use effectively without practice. But, in the hands of a master, they are deadly. For instance, the expansion CD allows the Protoss to have Corsairs, ships that can attack only air targets. This confused me a bit at first and I used the unit to only partial potential. However, I soon realized it had spells and skills I could use that were quite effective. Many of the expansion units are fun to use but many of the original units provide gaming enjoyment as well.

As I said earlier, each of the three species has an individually unique campaign. Their goals and outlook on the enemy differ and the missions in which they partake are ever changing. Most missions remain at some constant form, though, such as reconnaissance, hit-and-run, defensive tactics or rescues. Often, you will be placed in an already ongoing situation and have to deal with the enemy onslaught immediately. Obviously, as you proceed in the campaign, the units and structures to which you will have access are improved. Near the end, you will be using the heaviest vehicles and the most powerful spells your contingent can acquire. The StarCraft Expansion Set: Brood War adds a new campaign for each species but the main difference will be a few units.

When comparing presentation aspects of StarCraft: Battle Chest to Blizzard's earlier games like WarCraft II, you'll notice great improvements in the unit animation and the overall sleek feel in the game. Structures look more textured and have a very polished look. Little details, such as movement in the factories and a bigger color palette, give the game a stronger presentation. I felt the voiceover work was well done as well and the music was both pulse pounding and appropriate for setting the mood. No complaints logged in these areas.

Playing the game is also simple, just like its WarCraft predecessors. Scrolling around and moving your units can be done with relative ease and building structures is done in a unique but easy fashion. The Protoss, for example, "warp-in" their buildings so the drone that sets them can continue on and do another task. Zerg, on the other hand, use themselves to start the building and then are lost, requiring you to build a new unit -- but, the process saves supplies. Thankfully, the helpful "hot-key" system has returned and is very easy to use. In fact, it's a godsend when you are away from your base and need to access your barracks without directly looking at the structure.

Multi-player support is fully functional in StarCraft: Battle Chest and brings even more life to this terrific set. You can duke it out with your friends on Battle.net, the game's integrated Internet hook-up, or play through a dial-up modem if you so choose. Unfortunately, there is not TCP/IP support but Battle.net does the job perfectly. I had a great time playing friends and people from around the world with the easy-to-use interface and was always able to find a challenge.

Frankly, this set is loaded with goods and is a true "show-stopper." It has three different species for you to master, two campaign modes for each of them, a polished and beautiful appearance, excellent multi-player support and two large strategy guides to use. StarCraft: Battle Chest needs no improvements and is worth every penny you might spend. A must have in this writer's mind. ~ Glenn Wigmore, All Game Guide

Almost perfect here. Six total scenarios -- two campaigns for all three of the species -- that's a lot! Tons of time is required to practice murdering the enemy in skirmish mode and the Battle.net multi-player gaming is buckets of fun. ~ Glenn Wigmore, All Game Guide

Excellent voiceovers are applied to the movies, in-game speech and narration. They sound professional and not too "over the top." The music is also near perfect as it sets the mood and captures the essence of the game throughout. ~ Glenn Wigmore, All Game Guide

I had a blast playing this set as it has so much to offer. Not one aspect of the game is a let-down and most things are so polished you respect the effort put into them. Multi-player gaming is where it's at! ~ Glenn Wigmore, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad, Keyboard, Mouse.