“The only allies are enemies.” That's what the back of the box for StarCraft says, and it holds true in the game. StarCraft features three distinct races: the vagabond Terrans, the technologically advanced Protoss and the insidious and life-consuming Zerg. What's special about this is that nothing like it had ever been done before. Previous real-time strategy games such as Command & Conquer, Total Annihilation and even the Warcraft series may have had different sides, but they were all essentially the same. StarCraft's races are startlingly different from one another.

None of the units, save the workers perhaps, had any true parallel; all three had different means of constructing buildings, and of course, the strategies that you developed for winning with one race were always unique to that race alone.

Blizzard ensured to a great extent that you couldn't employ the same methods with one race that worked with another. To crown this achievement of diversity between the units and races, Blizzard tied the package together with the most important element of any RTS, the element that determines if a game in this genre is good or not … balance.

That's right — StarCraft has absolutely perfect balance, balance that hasn't been seen in an RTS before or since. Somehow, Blizzard made it so that space marines and tanks, cybernetic soldiers and monsters ripped straight from an "Aliens" film would stand equal on the field of battle.

There's a counter-strategy to every strategy in this game. To top it off, StarCraft is blessed with top-notch voice acting, an extremely engaging and epic story (complete with greed, betrayal, and power struggles), a cast of genuine and well-developed characters, and a fitting soundtrack plus sound effects.

Also, if I failed to mention it earlier, StarCraft is a visual masterpiece. It looked far better than anything else on the market when it hit the shelves, and the graphics continue to hold up well today. Blizzard's free online service, Battle.net, allows you to play against hundreds of thousands of people across the globe at any time.

This game is literally incapable of getting old, and that's where its beauty lies: No matter how well you hone your technique, it can always be improved. StarCraft is easy to pick up, and impossible to truly master.

Between the great single player, the unparalleled multiplayer, and the map editor (yes, you can create your own maps, campaigns and new game modes and take them online) you'll never stop playing StarCraft.

Brood War is an expansion set to the original StarCraft.

The story picks up right where the original left off, and I can assure you that Blizzard pulled out all the stops here. The plot development, the characters, everything is absolutely fantastic. It's a full length game; each race gets a campaign just like in StarCraft. These campaigns are far more challenging, however, and if you did not master the first you're in for a rough time.

Also, the jaw-dropping FMV sequences are back. I didn't mention those earlier, did I? Oh well, more icing on the cake. The additions to the actual game include some new map titlesets to battle across such as desert, ice, and Shakuras (the homeworld of the Dark Templar), two new units for each race, more in-game music, and a separate section of Battle.net so that you can play the expansion online.

The map editor was also updated, allowing players to take advantage of the new content. Most importantly, the game's balance was left intact. Brood War truly is a great expansion, and a worthy addition to the StarCraft universe.

I'd gladly spend $20 on either of these games standalone: To get them and their strategy guides for that price is almost unbelievable. Honestly, I don't know how Blizzard can offer gamers such a deal. Back in the day, just the strategy guide cost that much. You aren't going to get any more bang for your buck than with this package; there's hundreds of hours of gaming to enjoy here.

You have a flawless RTS, its expansion, and the strategy guides for each all at a bargain-bin price. This is, without a doubt, one of those rare “must-have” releases that only come around so often.

If you don't believe me, then look at the numbers: The 7 million-plus copies sold and the hundreds of thousands still playing on Battle.net stand as a testament to StarCraft's success. Although a countless number of titles have come after it, StarCraft remains the finest game in its genre.

For many, including me, it's the best game of all time. Do yourself a favor and buy it now. You have nothing to lose.

Crafting a perfect space adventure

By Jamie mosley / Gaming Insurrection

retrograde

StarCraft and its expansions easily earn praise