“What’s that?” I asked, looking at the screen. The computer graphics were awesome – there was clearly one huge battle going on. I could see little men running into a sort of metal shelter; some of them were standing their ground and firing on what looked like four legged trolls that were stabbing the men with their claws. Sometimes the trolls would kill a soldier and he would emit a dying scream of anguish as his tiny body disintegrated into a small pool of blood on the screen. Around them were an assortment of artillery and what looked like tanks battling with giant acid-spitting hooded serpents.
“Wait and see…” the senior responded, without looking up. With that he pressed the control button on the keyboard and screamed “Siege mode!”.
The tanks changed configuration and started launching heavy shells into the melee of attacking creatures… CHOOM!… CHOOM!… CHOOM! The blood and guts of the attacking creatures started forming a pool on the screen as they wilted under the huge firepower.
From the next room an order rang out “Retreat!” and the attacking creatures began to turn back.
For the benefit of all those who don’t know, Starcraft is a real time strategy video game that was released for the PC in March 1998 – and it rocked my under-grad student world. It is a science fiction story of three distinct races in a distant part of the Galaxy.
You control each race as the game unfolds and the plot superbly weaves a subtle thread around the different characters that inhabit the Starcraft universe. As the game progresses you “become” each character which allows you more insight into the often complex plot.
What made this game so addictive for me was the building of defenses – almost like a last stand – like the Alamo. Knowing that the enemy is out there. Knowing that they will be ranging out of the dark mists trying to overrun your base and take you out unless you strike first or prepare for their attack.
So the fate of your civilization rests on your shoulders. Build proper defenses and your enemy will be ripped into tiny shreds of space-fodder. Make one mistake and they could breach – meaning the end for you.
This is what makes this game playable over and over again – the strategy element. The essence of life – you either fumble around in the dark and die wondering. Or you can strategize and live a life of consequence.
Give it a try; it may be the granddaddy of today’s modern real time strategy but in my humble opinion, it is still the best.
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