Review By Ozzymadeo

I donb't really like these types of games. As a rule I just don't play them. Same rule applies to first person shooters for the most part. But every so often, there will be an exception. Last first person shooter I actualy enjoyed was Duke Nukem 3-D. And when it comes to these real time strategy games, I tend to enjoy those made by Blizzard.

At least for a little while.

A huge leap was made from the original Warcraft to Warcraft II. Amazingly enough, another huge leap was made from 2 to 3. Rather than be the standard RTS affair, Blizzard mixed in a fairly strong story and some RPG style elements to help flesh out the game. In addition to all the units that you gain familiarity with, you also get actual characters to control. They've got personalities, actual skills and can level up. Some missions actualy revolve around them questing rather that simply building a base camp and destroying your enemy. There was variety and for that I am thankful.

Still, when it comes to building up a base camp and establishing an army, it gets old after a while. Despite the fact that there were four different races, it just wasn't enough for me to go back and play this again. Rather than choosing one of the four races, you had to play as them all. While this too was welcome, once you get used to a race, your time with them is done and you must move on. Before you could do one race's campaign and complete the game with their point of view. From there, you could do another race. But not this time around. No replay value with having to play as all the races the first time through. It truly seems unfair that you get the undead early on as I tend to think that they're the best of the four. And the night elves, which you get last, I hate with a passion.

They're like the Ben Afflecks of Warcraft.

I hate them that much.

Genearly, I'm all for elf on elf action but damnit, they're horrible units. You can make a case for them I'm sure but they did nothing for me and I wouldn't be caught dead playing as them in multiplayer.

And that brings me to my next point, multiplayer is well and good and having done that, it was plenty fun. But multiplayer games arn't my cup of Dr. Pepper either. The gloating compounded by the fact I suck in these kinds of games makes me a sore loser, but on the same token, I don't give a damn.

Warcraft III was a worth while distraction but it was painfuly obvious that the main selling point would be the multiplayer. And for that, the single player campaign suffered. Sadly, it almost had a Legacy of Kain type ending. There WAS a conclusion but ultimatly I was unsatisfied.

I get more satisfaction out of killing orcs in Neverwinter Nights.

I wonder why.

Grade: C+