StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void Reviews
Legacy of the Void, in true Blizzard fashion, doesn't break astounding new ground but does build expertly on what's come before. With an ending so ridiculous I couldn't help but love it, including three of the finest levels ever put in a strategy game, and a plot that never lets up on twists and went brilliantly unspoiled in marketing materials thus far, I don't know how else I would have put the series to rest. No matter your experience with the RTS, StarCraft 2's campaigns are only matched for value and fun by one another.
Starcraft 2 - Legacy of the Void is best described using the words that Blizzard makes a character utter relatively early in the campaign: "It's technology is ancient, yet highly advanced." The phrase manages to capture the way the developers at Blizzard have kept the series fresh, by mining the classic ideas of the real-time strategy genre while seeking to mix them with innovative approaches. For Legacy of the Void the words also nicely encapsulate its relationship with the game engine and the structure of the campaign and multiplayer modes, both of which are as old as the franchise itself but still offer gamers plenty of surprises. Starcraft II deserves its place as one of the most influential releases of the past five years, and this Protoss-focused chapter manages to deliver a fitting end to its core narrative while opening up the multiplayer in some interesting ways.
Although the series is beginning to feel dated and will likely need to be revamped for its next release, StarCraft II does well in catering to its niche audience while accommodating newcomers in a way that allows everyone a gaming experience that, overall, is very enjoyable.
As always, multiplayer remains the lifeblood of StarCraft; but with competitive multiplayer having become so insular, it's nice to know that more casual fans have options outside of the campaign. As for the campaign itself, I'm going to have some more thoughts on that next week when I wrap up this review-in-progress and offer some thoughts on StarCraft II as a whole. En Taro Tassadar.
The campaign fails to deliver compelling storytelling, but varying faction unit styles and custom call-in abilities add a jolt of life. Multiplayer is better than ever, featuring new units, daily and weekly tournaments for all skill levels, and co-op action
If you're invested in StarCraft II's story already, you likely won't be disappointed by Legacy of the Void's tale. If you haven't played any form of StarCraft II yet and are intrigued by the prospect of another RTS, this is probably the strongest the game has ever been. It's a perfect time to jump in.
Legacy of the Void offers a stellar single-player RTS experience, which is nothing new for Blizzard. But the story provides a strong emotional pull that hasn't been achieved in previous installments, making it an exceptional framework for the overall RTS experience. The new co-op campaign most definitely falls flat, but Archon mode and Automated Tournaments make up for it by providing something new and exciting for both beginner and advanced players. [OpenCritic note: Single player was rated 4.5 / 5 stars. Multiplayer was rated 4 / 5 stars.]
A cracking climax to the StarCraft 2 saga, Legacy of the Void combines the best ever StarCraft multiplayer experience with what's arguably the strongest of the three campaigns. If you played and loved Wings of Liberty and Heart of the Storm then you've probably bought this already and loving every minute. If you haven't, Legacy of the Void gives you all the more reason to give StarCraft 2 a try.
Legacy of the Void bietet den perfekten Abschluss für die Starcraft 2 Geschichte und schließt das Ganze noch mal mit großartigen Erweiterungen für den Multiplayer und Singleplayer ab. Die Zwischensequenzen wirken teilweise zwar etwas lieblos und auch die Herausforderung in der Kampagne fehlt etwas für Veteranen, aber ansonsten macht Blizzard mit Legacy of the Void absolut alles richtig.
Review in German | Read full review
Legacy of the Void has something for everyone with changes to multiplayer that shake up the formula, cooperative play, and a satisfying conclusion on the story front.
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void gives what a final-chapter should be. The compelling story of the Protoss and their struggle to fight for their freedom and legacy marks the closure of the StarCraft narrative; with having all of the old favorite units back makes the trilogy complete. En Taro Artanis!En Taro Zeratul! En Taro Adun! En Taro Tassadar! And En Taro Artanis!
Its campaign is a joy to play, only hampered by a story that doesn't do the franchise justice. However, it's easy to look past that as this is the first time that veterans can not only become engrossed in the rich strategy of StarCraft, but have a good reason to invite even their most RTS-reluctant friends to come and see why the franchise is one of the industry's greatest.
A brilliant strategy game that manages to be both broad and deep, challenging and accessible.
A solid end to StarCraft II's five year journey, although beyond the co-op missions it offers no real clue as to the genre's future.
Whether you're a casual marine-medivac dropper or the most hardcore, Idra-level max APM player in the world, Legacy of the Void offers a rich, varied experience. With an amazing campaign, phenomenal multiplayer, numerous gameplay options, satisfying story, nigh-infinite unlockables, and tons of nooks and crannies to explore, Legacy of the Void stands as one of the proudest entries in the Starcraft legacy.
Legacy of the Void is an excellent conclusion to Blizzard's trilogy. While one can get impatient with the familiar mission structure, it's impossible to argue with the excellent faction balance and action. As a genre, real time strategy games have lost a bit of appeal and the StarCraft 2 trilogy doesn't move them into new territory. Let's leave that for the next generation. Right now, there's Legacy of the Void. It's all good.
Both the campaign and multiplayer are as great as they've ever been.
A powerful standalone expansion that feels like a last hurrah for Blizzard's seminal RTS franchise.
I like Legacy of the Void—genuinely, I do. It's just that I don't really want to play it now that I've finished the campaign. The focus on unlocking and swapping between different units in the same slot makes for a highly customizable and highly "for your tastes" kind of experience in the campaign—I just wish that had carried over to the multiplayer to really shake things up.
In the end, Legacy of the Void will be remembered for a number of reasons. First, as the final chapter in the StarCraft story that began 17 years ago. Second, as a satisfying conclusion to the StarCraft II trilogy. One that includes some of the best single-player missions in the series. And third, with the focus on the Protoss race it proves that shifting perspective and changing tone can result in some truly entertaining story-telling. Plus, it's still one of the most intricately designed, fast-paced, and skill-centric multiplayer games ever created. One that can be enjoyed by players of all skill level.