Test Conclusion
The conclusion of the “StarCraft 2” trilogy offers with “Legacy of the Void” the hoped-for grand finale with a campaign that gives an epic story a more than worthy final chord, despite the bombast. The fact that this title has one of the most complex and popular multiplayers on board on top of that is almost taken for granted. The real achievement is how accurately Blizzard adapts it to the zeitgeist without bending. On top of that, the studio adds two completely new modes, whose potential unfortunately hasn’t been fully exploited. In a series of groundbreaking spin-offs, Legacy of the Void is perhaps no longer the freshest, but in any case the most complete of all StarCraft titles.
Per
- Thrillingly staged finale of the campaign
- Great mission design
- Contemporary adjustments in multiplayer
- Meaningful new units
Contra
- Half-hearted new game modes
- Some missions are very similar
- Dialogues too theatrical
“StarCraft 2” is a permanent fixture on most gaming PCs. For 17 long years now, it has set the standard in the real-time strategy genre with visually stunning stories and challenging multiplayer battles. It has helped eSports out of its infancy and made many gamers millionaires. With “StarCraft 2 – Legacy of the Void“This successful odyssey is now coming to an end, because part number three is supposed to be the final part of the star saga. How can you, as an inclined gamer, not get sentimental? And above all: How can you rate such a luminary? Hasn’t everything been said about this game?
“Blizzard Sale: Fat discounts on Starcraft 2 & Co.
As good as never before
One thing, in any case, is immediately noticeable: Developer Blizzard never tires of experimenting after all these years. The development from “Wings of Liberty” (2010) to “Heart of the Swarm” (2012) and now “Legacy of the Void” (2015) is remarkable. The tinkerers have consistently modified the incredibly sensitive gears of the strategy title and never rested on old laurels. The reward: Today, “StarCraft 2” presents itself as convincing as never before with its Protoss finale. Competitive games are faster and more contemporary. The virgin co-op mode opens up a completely new gaming horizon. And the solo campaign not only holds up, but surpasses the high level of the two predecessors in places.
Kitschy story …
Mind you: the playful level. The story itself, i.e. the final battle against the overpowering evil Amon, doesn’t spare on pathos and richly meager dialogs. And as usual with many space epics, “Legacy of the Void” doesn’t get around cryptic prophecies and crude conspiracy theories. It’s a gift. You already know that from the predecessors. At least the creators decided on a solid final chord with many answers around the Xel’Naga mythology. Even one or the other character like Raynor or Kerrigan get short guest appearances. And this much is revealed: Not all beloved characters survive this last act.
… nevertheless good campaign
As bloated as this “StarCraft” universe may be: If you play the single-player campaign, you don’t need to get seriously involved in the story with all its twists and turns – it’s still fun thanks to the clever mission design. The scenarios are too varied and the mix of large battles and solo missions with heroes is too successful. In “Legacy of the Void” you fight in 19 missions as the young Protoss leader Aiur against an armada of Zerg Swarms, parts of the Terran Möbius Confederation and Hybrids. Sometimes you defend yourself against a superior force, sometimes you free allies scattered across the map, sometimes you build a base on a moving platform that you move on rails. Again and again, the developers add new stimuli – for example through cameo appearances of old unit types like the dragoons and raiders. Or, by limiting you to certain building sequences, you’ll have to apply play styles that you would normally rather reject. In addition, there is a difficulty level that makes the predecessors look downright tame. Even on “normal”, Legacy of the Void is no walk in the park.
In the space ark
Meanwhile, all the threads come together on the “Spear of Adun,” the Protossian mothership. Comparable to the Hyperion from “Wings of Liberty” (2010) and the Leviathan from “Heart of the Swarm” (2013), you start your missions here, modify technologies and units at the war council or develop special actions for your army. For example, you’ll give Berserkers an additional whirlwind attack or increase the shields of Immortals. These leveling-up decisions, where you choose between two strands as usual, make up a large part of the single-player appeal in “StarCraft 2”. Accordingly, the developers are creative with the new abilities.
In addition, during the campaign almost every map holds individual map mechanics: Sometimes the “Spear of Adun” provides you with free pylons or other valuable buildings at regular time intervals, for example. You can also warp attack troops to the battlefield as needed. It depends on the mission. Almost always, however, you’ll have blanket bombardments of selected areas at your disposal.
Who does not invest, loses
In the competitive multiplayer heart of “StarCraft 2 – Legacy of the Void”, Blizzard leans far over the game engine and especially screws with the macromanagement. The game speed increases rapidly. Instead of six, you’ll start the game with twelve (!) collectors in the future. At the same time, the two resources yield fewer raw materials: Vespin geysers no longer have 2,500 gas, but only 1,700, minerals no longer 1,500, but 750. These are deep cuts. With more workers at the start, the economic speed increases significantly and you now climb the once arduous technology ladder in no time. Fewer resources per location, on the other hand, force you to expand much sooner – which ultimately has one main purpose: enemy contact, battles and scuffles for resource supremacy occur more quickly.
By doubling the number of collectors, the first combat units are completed in no time. Two or three upgrades later, you’re already crafting flight units. In fact, sometimes the biggest challenge in Legacy of the Void is keeping up with the rapid flow of resources. A mineral deposit quickly accumulates beyond 1,000 – which is not an indication of high game art. If you don’t invest, you lose – the old “StarCraft” motto is more relevant than ever in “Legacy of the Void”.
MOBA with buildings
Not that “StarCraft 2” has been a slow game to date. The strategy classic has always been one of the dedicated high-speed games. At high-dollar eSports tournaments, pros like to perform more than 300 actions in a minute and wipe the mouse across the table as if they were cleaning a dirty window. And now the developers are stepping on the gas again? Why?
The answer has four letters, it is “MOBA“(“Multiplayer Online Battle Arena”). In recent years, related titles like “League of Legends” and “Dota 2” have taken the reins from the former strategy leader in eSports. These new tournament games are fast, faster than “StarCraft” ever was, and they push the battle, not the minute-long base-building skirmish. So with Legacy of the Void and its fast pace, Blizzard is adapting a bit to the changing viewing habits brought on by the rise of the MOBA craze.
The new modes in multiplayer
It’s good for the game. This also applies to the new Archon mode, in which two or more players share an army. This mode is particularly suitable for novices, as they will benefit from playing alongside experienced gamers. Things move faster in the “Allied Commanders” mode. Here, two players per faction choose a commander – Artanis, for example – and fight their way through mission-driven missions that have to be mastered within a certain period of time. Expandable: Currently, only five maps and six heroes are available here. In order not to get bored in the long run, Blizzard would have to deliver more content. Fortunately, the studio has already promised DLC packages – the first bundle is dedicated to the Terran Nova.
Lost nothing of its charm
One has to imagine the tremendous potential that lies dormant in a full co-op campaign. It’s a pity that the Commander mode in its current form is not much more than a footnote. You can’t really blame the developers for this, after all, “StarCraft 2 – Legacy of the Void” has long been packed to the teeth with content. Not many games have such extensive modes for single and multiplayer. And “StarCraft 2” has lost none of its appeal even 17 years after its debut: first the patient expansion of buildings, defenses and army, the calm before the storm – the hectic rush when the enemy is at the doorstep and yet seems beatable – then the elation at your own advance on the enemy. The enemy relies on cockroaches? You can only do that with immortals. You have scouted several space portals in the enemy base? If you don’t have an antidote to banshees, it’s soon the end of the road. This formula of situational decisions and high (mouse) speed still reliably thrills. Will such an elaborate real-time strategy game ever be produced again? In any case, the sales figures of the once so successful genre are constantly sinking. It’s quite possible that “Legacy of the Void” is the last blockbuster of its kind.
Conclusion: StarCraft 2 – Legacy of the Void
The space saga started in 1998, and now it comes to an end: The conclusion of the “StarCraft 2” trilogy offers the hoped-for grand finale with “Legacy of the Void”, a campaign that gives an epic story a more than worthy final chord, despite the bombast. The fact that this title has one of the most complex and popular multiplayers on board on top of that is almost taken for granted. The real achievement is how accurately Blizzard adapts it to the zeitgeist without bending. On top of that, the studio adds two entirely new modes, whose potential unfortunately hasn’t been fully exploited. In a series of groundbreaking sequels, Legacy of the Void is perhaps no longer the freshest, but in any case the most complete of all StarCraft titles.
Follow us and check out our social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook & YouTube ►
● on Twitter ► esport.directory
● Facebook ► esport.directory
● Youtube ► esport.directory
StarCrafttips, StarCrafttricks, StarCraftcheats, StarCrafthacks, StarCrafthacks2022, StarCrafttipspro, StarCraftpaidcheats, StarCraft, StarCrafttipsandtricks, StarCrafttipsandtricks2022, StarCrafttipsandtricksforbeginners, StarCrafttips, StarCrafttricks, StarCrafttrickshots, StarCrafthacks, StarCrafthacksfree, StarCrafthacksfree2022,