Game Review: Starcraft II: Legacy of the Void (PC/MAC OS)

The final chapter and epic conclusion of the Starcraft storyline first told in 1998.

Premise:

Starcraft 2: Legacy of the Void is a RTS (Real Time Strategy) game.  Command your army and destroy your opponents in real time.  Employ economic prowess and military genius to overcome your enemies and emerge victorious. 

Visuals:

Overall, Starcraft II: LOTV is pretty crisp looking.  Character models and character design are very detailed and appealing.  Lighting is detailed and very moody, and environments are very detailed with small and interesting features added to each map with care.

The only complaint is that at certain times, some characters with darker colors are difficult to see on the dark backgrounds.  Most characters a reasonably easy to see though.

Example of visuals

Menus/Interface:

The main menu can be a little confusing at times.  Certain things aren't placed in the clearest places, and there are lots of confusing options.  After playing for bit, they do make sense though.

Slightly confusing campaign options

All other menus make sense.

One thing that I do find confusing.  The "Escape" key on the keyboard does not open the in-game pause menu.  By now, this is considered a standard of PC video games.  Why you would change something so basic is beyond me.  A minor detail, but befuddling nonetheless.

Gameplay/Controls:

Handles as you would expect a proper RTS to control.  Left click to select units, right click to command units.  Units do NOT form into organized groups though, which can be a little frustrating when trying to command them in a very precise fashion.

Campaign missions are fun and well thought out.  They do a good job of integrating the storyline into gameplay.

A small complaint:  When controlling special units, they have hotkeys for their special abilities.  The issue is, these hotkeys are nowhere near each other, so it is a little confusing when trying to execute special abilities in quick succession.

Storyline Overview:

The storyline of LOTV picks up where Heart of the Swarm left off.  Kerrigan, who has regained control of her senses, is attempting to find a way to destroy Amon and his hybrids.  Zeratul is also on this same mission, so he goes to Artanis to pursuade him to believe his cause.

Overall, the storyline is quite entertaining and believable.  That is, until the final 3 missions.  After the main storyline, there is an epilogue.  Generally Starcraft has been very believable and not overly fantastic, but it did always involve some slight fantasy elements.  The 3 final missions seemed little over the top and not very believable.  In fact, the final mission seemed like a lame boss battle where the boss is constantly hiding and throwing his minions at you.  It was honestly very anti-climactic.


Summary:

Overall a very good and polished game with strong gameplay and unit movement mechanics.

The storyline is very strong, but it drops the ball at the very end.  A slight disappointment to someone who has been following the franchise for some years now.

Definitely worth a playthrough.

SCORE:  8.5/10