Blog FeedSo, what would you prefer?
I am a huge fan of Blizzard games. I’ve been playing a fair bit of WarCraft 3 lately, and I was a huge fan of Diablo 2. StarCraft is in fact my favourite game of all time. As such, you can imagine my mixed feelings when this little article popped up, mentioning that Blizzard will announce Diablo 3 at BlizzCon. Now, I have no evidence to suggest that this is actually a credible rumour, but it definately got me thinking.
I think a sequel to the Diablo franchise would be fantastic. Diablo 2 is the benchmark for hack’n’slash RPGs, and despite it’s age it still puts others like Dungeon Siege to shame. In fact, I feel like playing it right now. A sequel could have all the parts I love, plus pretty graphics (which I love), and I’d definately get it. I don’t really care as to what silly reason they use to explain how Diablo comes back yet again, or even if he makes a show in the game. But if this rumour turns out to be true, I’ll still be very disappointed.
StarCraft’s fans have been waiting since 1999 for a sequel. Improvements to RTS games have taken huge leaps and bounds since it was released, and there is so much Blizzard could offer in story, gameplay and graphics. They could really expand the entire StarCraft universe with all the tools at their disposal nowadays. On the other hand, I can’t see how they could make any really revolutionary changes to Diablo 3 besides the graphics. That is, of course, unless they change it from a Hack’n'Slash to a deeper RPG like Baldur’s Gate, but that’s not what Diablo is all about.
Call me a rabid StarCraft fanboy if you will - I guess I am, really. But I’m one of many, and StarCraft:Ghost isn’t going to satisfy the appetites of strategy gamers. I believe StarCraft deserves a sequel, and I believe 6 years since the expansion of the original is a long enough time to wait. I understand that the more we wait the better SC2 will probably be. And of course, because I think StarCraft was the pinnacle of Blizzard’s excellence, I want the sequel to be nothing but top notch. But how long is too long?
1st November | Reply
I don’t really enjoy RTS games that much as a general rule. That being said I’ve finished all the craft games and 2 of the 3 expansion packs. Why? Because they have killer stories by in large. As Such I’m really going to be fine with SC:Ghost if they manage to tell a great story–in fact I’ll probably enjoy it as much as I would if they made SC2. I don’t really see a reason why a RTS in the series is so superior to an action game as either one can advance the story & universe
Diablo on the other hand I’d love to see another iteration in the game. Given the amount of money they’re pulling in of WoW it makes a ton of sense to make an MMO out of Diablo as the game has always been a multiplayer type experience. It’s not like the game was really noted for being fantastic to play single player before.
1st November | Reply
I’m not a Starcraft fan. I am a Diablo fan.
I’m happy.
1st November | Reply
I too will be happy with Ghost, although I’d still like a sequel to SC. I guess as long as Blizzard keeps giving us our “fix” of their stuff, I’ll be happy.
1st November | Reply
I would’ve been happy with anything, but all they gave us was a WoW expansion.
1st November | Reply
I’d like to see SC2 more than SC:Ghost. Any time someone mentions an FPS based off an RTS licence I think of C&C: Renegade. Then I have to have four beers and a lie-down.
Having said that, more StarCraft is infinitely better than no more StarCraft. I just hope Blizzard can make the shift from RTS to FPS without killing the franchise.
1st November | Reply
Same here Sheps… I’ve been wanting SC2 ever since I finished the final mission in Brood War. I NEED that game, I don’t NEED SCGhost… that game is going to be the bitch slap that Blizzard needs to see that the fans want the sequel whose prolouge they left us a tthe end of SC1…
Okay, I’m done.
1st November | Reply
I want StarCraft 2. Ever since I completed the secret mission in Brood War, I’ve been salivating at the possibility of playing as the Xel’Naga and their perfect organism, the zerg/protoss hybrid and the armies built from it.
Plus Kerrigan is one of the most awesome videogame villains ever conceived and should definitely be featured on those whory videogame vixen features circulating on the interweb.
Diablo III wouldn’t be bad, I really liked the first two games, but WarHammer 40K: Dawn of War and Winter Assault has raised the bar, as far as I’m concerned in terms of presentation and carnage and I would really like to see Blizzard rise to the occasion.
1st November | Reply
What would I prefer? Neither. I’m yet to play either game, I think I actually gave away an original copy of Diablo because it was just sitting here. Not my type of game, never really “got” the genre, but I’ve heard good things…
…I think I still have the copy of StarCraft Sheps gave me :O I saw it the other day while I was cleaning my room, maybe I’ll give it a go?
2nd November | Reply
Man, I love Warcraft/Starcraft/Diablo/WoW. In fact I just renewed my subscription to WoW, thus ending any chance of productivity for the next few months. I have Diablo II sitting on my desk, but I threw out the CD case when I moved a few months ago. Apparently the serial number needed to play on battle.net is on that case…so I’m basically screwed there…thats were WoW came up
2nd November | Reply
StarCraft: Ghost has been a title that I’ve been waiting for since they announced it. It’s a shame that it keeps being delayed but despite this it still looks amazing and it’s one of the few games that I can see myself buying. Put another way, despite the fact that I enjoyed what I played of StarCraft (I only got as far as the Zerg missions before moving onto something else), I’d rather play Ghost than another RTS at the moment.
Diablo 3 could be interesting but I’d much rather that Blizzard has a crack at creating another rich universe to keep things interesting. The 3 that they already have a great but I’m getting a bit bored when we keep talking about them and new games in them rather than something else. Each universe currently has 2 games or more so I think that’s enough for the moment.
3rd November | Reply
I lost interest in RTS’s a long time ago. I played Dune 2, Warcraft I & II, some Command & Conquer. It all started blurring together. Now if they could come up with something new like being able to affect the environment by building bridges, toppling tall trees, digging tunnels, etc. That would be cool.
3rd November | Reply
I still play SC, even to this day, but I too cant understand why Blizzard hasnt released SC2.. in an age in which Hollywood makes a sequel to even terrible films, just to make money, where is SC2?!
3rd November | Reply
Man you evoked so much emotion in me with that article…trying to pull myself together…
ok I’m good to type now. I stopped playing SC about 5 years ago. Then about 6 months ago I saw it selling for $20 with Broodwar. I bought two copies and gave one to my brother. We now play it online weekly. Despite having a multitude of online games and 256mb video cards my brother and I have never played a better title RTS or otherwise.
I’m stoked that Blizzard continues to release patches for this game today. I’m happy to keep playing the original SC. I believe that Blizzards efforts would best be invested in SC2…I think Diablo and Warcraft fans have had enough attention for now.
3rd November | Reply
That does indeed sound very cool. CnC Generals had some nice effects with trees and some buildings. Tanks could just run trees down, and when some tall buildings collapsed, they’d look very cool falling down and would crush units underneath. Building bridges and tunnels sounds like it’d be really cool in games like Age of Empires. None of those would translate too well into a StarCraft environment though - but theoretically a sci-fi setting should mean the possibilities are endless, when you’re not bound by realism.
3rd November | Reply
I thought the zerg had tunnels as part of their available buildings. And I know for a fact the GLA have them in Generals.
4th November | Reply
Based on this stupid question I have now bought StarCraft *again* so that I can play it on a Mac and find out if it’s still as good as its meant to be. At least its system requirements are so low that I shouldn’t encounter any problems aside from it having been written for Classic Mac. Kinda wished I’d waited a bit longer before buying a version for the PC so many years ago as the Mac client was bundled in the same packaging later. Oh well, easy come, easy go…
I’m still playing Dawn of War at the moment so it’ll be interesting to see how the two compare. I think StarCraft might win since I still remember steamrollering my way around the map as the Terrans with Seige Tanks. Great days.
5th November | Reply
This is when you launch a great movie, there are some movies not worth of having a second part, just because the history behind that movie is just too perfect, that something new could mess up all that good memories, think on Star Wars Ep. 1, was it worth all the wait?
Well Lucas did a better job on the last chapter, but, it could happen the same to the Diablo Universe…
7th November | Reply
I have a process I go through with every Blizzard game. When first announced I usually scoff at it. “StarCraft: Ghost? Bah! Cash in on the franchise because they are too lazy to many SC2″. Then when screens and videos come out I get underwhelmed by the graphics. But at some point something kicks in and I am at the shop the day of release. Happened with WarCraft 3, happened with Diablo 2 (even though I did not like it) and happened with World of WarCraft.
Now it is happening with Ghost. The latest batch of screenshots really intrigued me for some reason. “I want to know more about the starcraft universe” is my prime directive for wanting StarCraft 2. Ghost looks like it can deliver that, and I trust Blizzard’s handling of gameplay. Ever since they took such an intelligent approach to MMORPGs (something they have never done before) I have some faith in them.
From what rumors I can pick up on the net, some chap with terrible grammar oozed about Diablo III being “AMAIZNG LOOKIGIN!” and that it is set in Heaven while Hell tries to invade. Hints of the idea that Diablo III would be a MMO game are in there as well since he mentions “Guild Houses”. Although these could easily be things present on the standard Diablo MP. Honestly though, I want Diablo III to be an MMORPG. An MMORPG set in heaven? Some of the set pieces and terrain are just too tasty to imagine. Plus with Star Wars Galaxies turning into a real-time combat game, Diablo III could also become a very refreshing action RPG game in a larger world. Just too many ideas. Heaven and Hell could also battle over earth and its people.
Anyways. Dawn of War has already been mentioned and that is my reason why I really do not mind Ghost being the next StarCraft title. Dawn of War seems like the step StarCraft may have taken. And (secretly) I like the WarHammer universe a bit better, more brutal.
8th November | Reply
Andrew, well put. Even with modern graphics there hasn’t been a better RTS game since SC.
Sheps - Yes, the Zerg have a building called ‘Nydus Canal’ which they can move units through, like the GLA, although they can store their units in the tunnel (and be bombed by stealths, hehe)
Kelmon, I play SC on a Mac too. Have you noticed that the mac patch takes you to USA-1 even when your not supposed to be on that server? Im supposed to be on GBR-1. Also, its designed to run at 600×800, and is a little pixely at 1280 x 1024! Still classic game, cat and mouse and team micro rule.. ;D
9th November | Reply
Hmm, still waiting for eBay-guy to deliver on my copy of StarCraft. Damned international post…
I have to echo Holliday’s sentiments on Dawn of War. I’ve been a big fan of the Warhammer 40K universe since I got into MANY moons ago and Dawn of War is the first game to deliver on the promise. Some of the AI is getting on my tits a bit at the moment (”damit, don’t just stand there, shoot back!”) but the game is definitely great. It’d be hard to imagine how much better a StarCraft 2 could be compared to DoW (a better plot would help it as the one in DoW is a bit pish) since, for me, DoW has delivered a stella squad-based RTS that encourages you to get into the fight quickly. Still, I’m prepared to be shown that Blizzard still knows a thing or 2 about how to make RTS games.
10th November | Reply
The glory of Dawn of War lies mostly in the online play. I’ve heard the skrim AI is a little gentle and stupid at times. Although with Winter Assault Dawn of War becomes an even more fantastic game. The story is much longer and fleshed out. The Imperial Guard is a great army to play with interesting tactics.