How can you tell I love you? You can tell because I spent the day at home working on GameSpite Quarterly 3 instead of going up to the office to play the copy of New Super Mario Bros. Wii Nintendo dropped off a few days ago. But it does feel nice to have things getting back on track again: The text for the next issue is nearly complete, I’ll be mailing out all the books and other mailings I owe people in the next few days, and I’m pretty much caught up at work. I have interesting new duties at 1UP, a new podcast, and some other pending projects, too. Like the rad new blog we’re launching tomorrow. I almost feel pretty OK about life for the first time in ages. Almost! It looks like the race to get my life back on track before I have a meltdown is nearing the finish line, although I’m still not sure which way the outcome will go.
19. StarCraft
I sure do wish I liked real-time strategy games, because then I might be interested in games like StarCraft and Brütal Legend. Apparently they keep cramming some of the best stories in the industry into these games! I’m fairly certain they do it out of spite directed specifically at me. Needless to say, given the name of this website, I totally respect that.
Nah, Brutal Legend is more of an Action-Adventure/RTS than a straight-up RTS. Kind of like how Mass Effect was a Shooter/RPG. And like how Mass Effect helped me segue into the world of Dual Analog-enabled Shooting through RPG goodness, I can imagine that Brutal Legend can help you get into RTSing through it’s Zelda-like Adventuring and Hack ‘n’ Slash fun.
Well, the other problem with Brütal Legend is that I can’t imagine subjecting myself to that style of music for hours on end. Metal’s never done much for me.
Oh, is this the part where I get to recommend Grim Grimoire? You liked Odin Sphere so you should really play it! The story doesn’t have the complexity of StarCraft or anything, but it’s awfully entertaining in its own right, while the game itself is simple enough to understand and get into, too.
“Well, the other problem with Brütal Legend is that I can’t imagine subjecting myself to that style of music for hours on end. Metal’s never done much for me.”
You might be surprised. And by ‘surprised’ I mean you’ll probably end up listening to Dragon Force’s Through Fire and Flames the whole time.
I’m pretty sure StarCraft is the best PC game ever.
No no no no. The gateway RTS is Pikmin. Or possibly that one mini-game in FF7. I was actually rather fond of Grim Grimoire, but it’s the sort of game that’s pretty darn easy if you’re a genre veteran, but still potentially overwhelming if you’re not already into them.
The real trick is to approach them with the same sort of methodical efficiency you’d apply to, oh, Civilization, just much much faster. Makes the whole genre rather sink or swim, but I suppose you COULD play Alpha Centauri with the governors turned off and increasingly shorter turn time limits to ease yourself in.
Yeah, I don’t enjoy Civilization, either. Anyway, this is all beside the point of the article!
“I’m fairly certain they do it out of spite directed specifically at me. Needless to say, given the name of this website, I totally respect that.”
Well, you have to admit, it’s validating in a way.
Hi! I have just signed up as a member of Talking Time and was wondering how can I post in the forums? I’m pretty new to this stuff and am having a difficult time and would really appreciate some helpful advice. Thanks!
Bigman, check The New How to Register Thread in the Talking About Talking Time forum.
StarCraft is the best thing.
I think I came to StarCraft too late. By the time I had it for my own I’d already played WC3, and could never effectively control a big SC army without being able to tab through groups of spellcasters. But it’s an awesome game nonetheless, and I’m really looking forward to the sequel.
Thanks for the help,Sarcasmorator! I sent Matchstick an email with my info so I think I should be good to go. I look forward to being a part of this unique internet ecosystem.
All this use of the word “best”! Don’t you guys know you’re just asking for it?
Seriously. After all, anyone with eyes knows that civilization is untouchable at the top of the heap of PC games.
Alcohol, cigarettes, and karate clubs? The spammer above me knows how to party. Also, Starcraft is the greatest strategy game since chess.
Oh you deleted it. Well now I feel like a fool.
Totally asking for it. But 40 million South Koreans can’t be wrong, and watching a professional match with even a slight understanding of the rules will blow your mind to bits.
StarCraft isn’t just a great game; it saved the world! Think I’m kidding? Just imagine how much South Korea could have done without StarCraft. We’d all be speaking Korean by now.