StarCraft Review - How Is It in 2024?

[@SeanzenGaming]

Hi everyone, thank you all so much for clicking on the video! It's so nice to see all the support and I appreciate all the great comments and feedback! Thanks to the feedback, I now realize I didn't explain at all why more attention was not given to the Map Editor/Custom Games as well as the BattleNet and Tournament scene. This also includes focusing on how the game became enormously popular in South Korea and spread all over the world. During all the research I was doing on the multiplayer scene, the game was already spreading in popularity during the initial release of StarCraft. But I found that multiplayer primarily took off after Brood War was released. Because of that, I planned on giving the multiplayer and competitive aspect the attention it deserves when I eventually cover the Brood War expansion. I'll be sure to share this kind of reasoning in future videos so everyone knows the reason why!

[@AvelierPlays]

As a 11 year old when SC came out, the map editor was amazing. I used to make tons of custom maps and scenarios with different triggers and objectives to make each one something unique and different. It was complex but easy enough to understand and program. One map I made allowed you to play each race differently by letting you build for example a marine, but upon its spawning it would delete the marine and instead give you something else, like a zealot. This allowed you to come up with tons of unique ideas to create so many varied maps. The map making in the Blizzard RTS series was huge back then and it led to the birth of games like MOBAS and Tower Defense.

[@SeanzenGaming]

Wow, that's impressive haha. That's a great idea you had to go about it in that way. I plan on doing a video about Brood War at one point and I plan on bringing more attention to not only the BattleNet competitive scene, but also the map editor and what came from it as you mentioned! Still can't believe you were able to create that at such a young age. Makes me wonder if you create/work on mods even now.

[@drtaint]

I'm glad you brought up the unit sounds, and not just the speech. Siege tanks deploying into siege mode and then the boom of it firing from siege mode has got to be some of the best made sounds in any game ever made.

[@SeanzenGaming]

Very true, there is a kind of weight to their sound somehow. They are a powerful unit and they sound powerful!

[@wheelskis]

Touching story about your dad. I have recently got back into this game and have been watching the competitive scene. It is amazing how much this game holds up 26 years later.

[@SeanzenGaming]

Thank you for the kind comment. I appreciate you mentioning that. Regarding the professional scene, I’ve gone in short spurts before where I enjoy watching some competitive games. Truly impressive how skilled the pros are at it. It really is amazing that it holds up to this day. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to share the appreciation I feel for it with everyone.

[@JJvelHunter]

I am sorry to see and hear that you did not pay any attention to multiplayer/battlenet scene. There is still a pro league, tournaments and huge base of players who still compete with each other. Also SC was on of the first titles to build the esport scene.

[@SeanzenGaming]

You know, I thought quite a bit about how to add the multiplayer portion into the video. The deciding factor for me was during all the research and reading I did, I found the multiplayer scene didn't fully take off until Brood War came out. Because of that, I decided to hold off on multiplayer until I speak about Brood War. Then I would like to bring up about how enormous the game became not only in South Korea at the local PC Bangs, but all over the world with tournaments and all the players online. I appreciate you bringing that up because now I realize it would be best if I explain that in the video. Definitely noted for future videos I make. Thank you for the feedback about it!

[@ViktorHrabrov]

got to admit. I was activelly in the gaming scene already 2 years at that moment of release ( being 11 when it came out). My fondest memories are explicitly in that era, 1995-2000. yet again, it made me the person i am today, and i'm grateful to you for telling me again why did it happen in the first place :) Thanks mate

[@SeanzenGaming]

I really appreciate you sharing that. That’s so nice to hear because one of the reasons I wanted to put the video out there was incase someone hadn’t seen it for a while. They could watch and be reminded of something that feels great.

[@Hanki03]

the skydog "woof woof" LOL

[@dj_koen1265]

this game is truly a timeless masterpiece

[@SeanzenGaming]

It absolutely is. It wasn’t until I went through it this most recent time that I realized just how much of it is timeless. It was great to share this with everyone.

[@AussieBakester]

Great video mate, you got yourself another subscriber. The late 90s and early 2000s was truly a golden age for RTS. So many awesome memories.

[@SeanzenGaming]

Thanks so much for saying that! I agree, truly a golden era for these sorts of games. So much creativity went into them. I plan on going through more like this because it's great to bring attention to how some of those games are still incredible despite their age.

[@Jackpkmn]

According to the subtitles of the remastered version the marine on the science vessel says "Were all dead! Blow it! Blow it!" but what I heard when I was a kid was "Were hosed in! Blow it! Blow it!"

[@SeanzenGaming]

I only learned about the voice line right before making the video haha. Funny you could make some words out of it because I always had a difficult time understanding it for whatever reason lol.

[@dariostabletopbastelecke4846]

This will Forever be a Classic! Because it was made with SKILL & LOVE! This will Stand the Test of TIME! First 12 Seconds... Nuff SAID!

[@SeanzenGaming]

It was definitely made with skill and love. That can be felt through so much of the game. Nice that you notice that part of it too.

[@jaynunya5136]

best game ever, I still play it today and forever

[@SeanzenGaming]

It’s a great example of a high quality game. I can’t believe so much of it still holds up so well today.

[@jhvghjgjkhlihli]

I play Starcraft and Brood Wars once every year since it was launched. Such a good Story.

[@SeanzenGaming]

The story is so good. That always stayed with me throughout the years

[@ealdie24]

its funny how I have workmates and colleagues that are born after this game was released and they are all full grown adults now.. while I still feel like this game was just 10years ago and SC2 was just 3 years ago when I was playing it competitively

[@SeanzenGaming]

It really doesn’t feel like it was that long ago at all. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to bring attention to the game in this way. If someone had never seen it before, maybe they would be interested in trying it because of the quality!

[@ealdie24]

@@SeanzenGaming yeah there are younger people playing SC 1 and 2, the community is very much alive but not mainstream. i have a 24 year old workmate who plays SC2 who beats me despite my 200+ hours of experience from 2010 to 2015 lol

[@colin1177]

I had that guide growing up! I loved it. My dad introduced me to starcraft as well! That guide and the manual was so great for world building for me.

[@SeanzenGaming]

That's really nice to hear you and your Dad shared that kind of experience! I cherished the guide as a kid and it wasn't until I rediscovered it that I realized I still do to this day!

[@arunbenny808]

I agree wholeheartedly with you. The original is better. You understood Jim Raynor’s story arc way better than the people who were responsible for the remaster.

[@SeanzenGaming]

Maybe it can be a lesson learned if they ever do a full-remake of StarCraft! Sometimes people focus on how things look and not how it could change the feel of the story.

[@MrMonkFisher]

Starcraft is one of my all-time favorite games, and one of my earliest childhood memories is watching my dad play. I don't know why, but the protoss pylon is what I always think about when I hear Starcraft. I also really appreciate the section about the music and sound. I love good video game music and sound effects, and Starcraft delivers on both fronts.

[@wujekstalina]

Technicaly zergling is half supply. Always loved flooding enemy bases with hordes of fully upgraded zerglings, one of the best units in the game

[@SeanzenGaming]

I’m right there with you, a great feeling to send wave after wave of them. Especially when upgraded!

[@josephmartel6032]

The strategy guide was amazing

[@SeanzenGaming]

Yes, for sure! I honestly still found it amazing to go through even now. It was a great time

[@Weizenkaltschale]

Really nice video, deserves more views. Crazy how i first thought you used remastered graphics, it shows how insanely good the graphics where back then.

[@SeanzenGaming]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate you saying that! Even if the video doesn't reach many people, I'm glad it seems like the people that are being reached are enjoying it! It's so impressive how they made the graphics back then. I can definitely see how it wouldn't be noticeable! It never came to me how I was using the original graphics when going through the game because they're so good.

[@trueflamexp7297]

Still remember running home after school with the boys (3 of us) to play 4v4 and once we destroyed the other team we would backstab our random teammates. It wasn’t nice but it was enjoyable. StarCraft 4 life 🤜🤛

[@SeanzenGaming]

That's an awesome memory to have with the game! I remember having the same feeling back then of wanting to run back to be able to play. Even with the backstabbing, at least you all won the match regardless lol. Sounds like it was a great time!

[@trueflamexp7297]

@SeanzenGaming Definitely was!

[@Igor369]

"Omg wtf is this??? Orcs in space??????" Warhammer 40k fans - ":I"

[@HamidKarzai]

ground floor on the video that launches a real banger of a channel

[@SeanzenGaming]

Haha love the way you worded it. Thank you for saying that!

[@dj_koen1265]

i think you also indirectly touch upon how important the technical aspect is to the art of video games, and that with how uninspired the modern engines are it bleeds partially into how uninspired the games feel i think

[@SeanzenGaming]

That’s a great callout. The technical aspect is absolutely part of how a game can feel inspired or not. StarCraft was a joy to go through because so many aspects felt inspired.

[@CaptainRasmot]

I think the main problem of the remaster vs the original is simply due to the fact that the remaster was made AFTER Starcraft 2. So they had to find a way to make the characters and units fit the style of visual in the sequel instead of leaning into the style of the original. Kind of a shame to be honest, but it does make some sense.

[@SeanzenGaming]

That's a great point, some of it has to do with the order the games came out. Maybe it's been too long since I last went through StarCraft 2 because I know Jim looks different there, but at the same time I recall it wasn't jarring to me when I went through it. I thought it was at least plausible that Jim looked like that as an older version of himself.

[@canag0d]

It’s literally the same graphics as the original just upscaled.

[@Silaguk]

@@canag0d it is not as simple as that

[@shaider1982]

​@@canag0d some of the portraits have beem replaced: see the Firebot unit portrait.

[@Igor369]

@@canag0d Anyone with functioning eyes is able to see that you are lying.

[@CmotDribbler]

To be fair back to the future II could only go so far forward to keep it be about Marty and Biff.

[@SeanzenGaming]

Ah, that’s a good point. They couldn’t do much different based on the plot

[@JVDAWG1]

Couldn't agree more with Raynor's original appearance vs his new one, glad I'm not the only one haha.

[@SeanzenGaming]

Lol, if anything this can be used for feedback if they ever do a true full-blown remake of the original StarCraft!

[@nic9047]

@@SeanzenGaming Totally agree with you opinion on Jim's looks. I believe they did this to his appereance since SC2 was released way before SC Remastered and by the looks of the 'revamped' Jim Raynor on SC2 they probably thought it was 'cool' to merge styles so most would see the resemblance, maybe? Idk, just a thought.

[@WillaRoberts-y7z]

Starcraft was the first word I learned how to phonetically read 😂

[@SeanzenGaming]

Wow really? That's so cool to hear lol. I have no doubt this game helped others to do that too!

[@decem_sagittae]

SC will forever be the most "goated" rts game of all time!

[@SeanzenGaming]

That’s right. It’s one of those rare games that’s a classic and still remains great!

[@bmendes84]

Great vídeo! I have very fond memories of playing StarCraft when it first came out. I find it fun to draw parallels to their previous game, Warcraft 2, and how each race kept some of its mechanics while radically innovating in other aspects. Like how the Zerg keeps the mechanic of upgrading buildings (like we could with towers and great hall), but has flying farms and even a flying catapult! (guardians) Or how the Terran can repair buildings but they merged the catapult with a tower to make the Siege tanks. Or how the Protoss have many new mechanics but feel the closest to Warcraft in terms of flavor. They even have a forge!

[@SeanzenGaming]

Thank you for saying that and those are some great points you bring up! We can absolutely see how they innovated like you said with those examples. It's been so long since I've gone through WarCraft 2, but it's on my list because to go back to as I have fond memories of that game as well!

[@MrSnaetch]

It's funny that the Zerg kept the upgrading headquarter mechanic but are otherwise totally new in building style. While terran and protoss both kept the mechanic of producing units in various different buldings.

[@MrSnaetch]

Also there is to mention that Warcraft 3 did it the other way round: Taking building mechanics of Starcraft and put it on Warcraft factions (mixed up): Humans build like Terrans with Worker outside building, with the new mechanic to add additional workers (AoE2). Orc use the classic building of WC2 (Worker inside building). Undead build like Protoss but use the creep mechanic of Zerg. Nightelf build like Zerg (losing worker) but can move some of their buildings (like Terrans).

[@Spanishflea.]

Excellent video dude. 🎉

[@SeanzenGaming]

Thank you for saying that! I really appreciate it!

[@ddddd9665]

THANK GOD FOR COLD FUSION

[@budaycsaba]

Deserves a million views at least! :) Sometimes still playing it today. I have kept the 1.16 version though, I did not update to the newer-remastered engine. It just feels more original.

[@SeanzenGaming]

@@budaycsaba Thank you so much for saying that :) And that’s a great point, I’m not as familiar with the patches and what changed. Thankfully overall it still felt great to go through!

[@Galacsia]

I have them both installed :P

[@dj_koen1265]

i only have the remaster, i think the new graphics look nice and the extended sprite limit just kinda "feels" right

[@Greenday5494]

Wow this is a really small channel and this is like your first video. This is really good!

[@SeanzenGaming]

Thank you for saying that! That’s a really nice comment to make.

[@Greenday5494]

@@SeanzenGaming I’m excited for your brood war video!

[@Greenday5494]

@@SeanzenGaming also if you wanted a suggestion I think it’d be cool if you did a lot of classic PC game. Diablo 1 n 2, Warcraft 2 n especially 3, half life, sim city. Idk would be a fun idea for a channel.

[@SeanzenGaming]

@@Greenday5494 Great suggestion! Funny you say that as I actually am planning on doing some more classic era games! There is something so great about them that I enjoy so much and would like to share with others

[@namelessfire]

Warhammer 40k: Orcs? In space? That would be craaaaaazy.

[@SeanzenGaming]

Yeah, I don't see how that could ever become popular...lol.

[@Hanki03]

totally didn't even remember there being different SOUNDTRACKS based on which race you're playing?? Amazing

[@SeanzenGaming]

@@Hanki03 Me either until I went through it! I also remembered the music being great, but forgot how good it really is.

[@Cless012]

There's 3 soundtracks per faction with BW adding a 4th.

[@anddudewaslike]

What an excellent love letter to one of the most classic Blizzard titles. StarCraft has, I dare say, not just one of the best stories in video games. But one of the best stories of all time, in any medium. I find it a huge disservice that hasn’t gotten more mainstream notoriety for the writing alone. It’s an absolute gem.

[@emceeunderdogrising]

I just played the remaster. It holds up. Multiple campaigns. It's goofy in the best way.

[@SeanzenGaming]

It for sure holds up! I think despite some of the aspects that shows the age of the game, one of the main reasons it holds up is the story telling for me at least.

[@xuhao878]

there is no way to reproduce the feeling when you first play this game in that era

[@SeanzenGaming]

@@xuhao878 Very true! Although I will say as I’ve gotten older, I find I have more appreciation for so many details of the game compared to when I was younger

[@dj_koen1265]

i played for the first time in 2015 and it was still a mindblowing experience to me

[@everettharris967]

My favorite voice lines were from the drop shop pilot who looked like and said the lines of the drop ship pilot in Aliens like "In the pipe, 5 by 5".

[@SeanzenGaming]

That's a classic line. There are so many great and iconic voice lines that I even considered at one point making a short form video showcasing every unit as the main point. Although only a handful of examples were shown, they are all amazing.

[@vazzeg]

"Where are those colonists? I'm gonna rescue them and then I'm gonna rescue your heart. I don't know where that came from." It came from Aliens, during the breakfast scene: - Hey top, what's the op? - It's a rescue mission, you'll love it. There are some juicy colonists we need to rescue from their virginity. - Dumbass colonists.

[@tektek1100]

The sounds are unmatched to this day, in modern games i feel that they have already given up to create memorable sounds because everything sounds so washed out and blends together into something where individual sounds are almost unrecognizable

[@SeanzenGaming]

I think many people underestimate how the sounds of a game can add tremendously to it! That might be why it stands out so much when a game like this one does it so well!

[@SmollReaper]

Do you have the names of the music used when you described the soundtracks for the races, they are so nostalgic for me

[@SeanzenGaming]

Good question, I need to add them to the description. I’ll get back to you when I look them up in a day or so!

[@Yora21]

Great. Showing the actual original game and not some remake.

[@patrickwilliams997]

I love that you're playing the original and not the re release. Awesome!

[@SeanzenGaming]

It's so good still! I saw quite a few videos of people using the remastered and while that's great too, I wanted to highlight the OG :)

[@burningsheep4473]

On Raynor as he looked originally: I think it might just be that he just looks less cartooney. His face also took up more space originally. I generally also prefer the original look. Much of it still looks better than even SC2 to me. Cruisers and Carriers for instance seem to have more detail on their models and they look more proportional somehow. Edit: Also, agreed on it being better not having to hunt down the last few units/buildings. Dark Reign had the "Search & Destroy" command for that, so you didn't have to bother yourself at least.

[@SeanzenGaming]

I didn't consider the aspect of it being more cartooney, that's probably part of it as well! Hopefully it doesn't come off like I feel strongly about it because my intention was not to make anyone feel excluded if they prefer the new look. True about the proportions of some of the units. It's like they look more sturdy somehow? Hard to explain but it's as though they have more weight to them based on how they look in the original SC.

[@nicklaserbeam]

Awesome video. I subscribed and am looking forward to the Brood War coverage

[@celdur4635]

The sounds of Starcraft 1 are amazing. Dunno why they can't or won't replicate the same feel for newer games.

[@hellojuggalos]

14:50 yea the music was so good

[@SeanzenGaming]

Yes, so good. I actually forgot most of it until I went back. Only had vague memories of enjoying it before. Really adds to the atmosphere of the game.

[@danc7952]

Used to enjoy playing that game, was getting quiet good at it.

[@SeanzenGaming]

@@danc7952 I’m sure it felt great to both enjoy the game and notice yourself getting better at it. StarCraft is a great example of easy to play, difficult to master. I never mastered it lol.

[@danc7952]

@SeanzenGaming I spent many hours playing online against really good players which forces you to improve. Was mad dash at start to mine minerals to create defenses before other player could invade. Was a thinking game involved strategy.

[@SeanzenGaming]

@@danc7952 What you mentioned about it being a thinking game is one of the reasons I had such a great time with this most recent playthrough. I stuck to custom games for StarCraft online, but I know very well what you're describing because I used to do quite a bit of WarCraft 3 and StarCraft 2 online when they first released!

[@nomercy8989]

I've been playing through it on my steam deck over the last few weeks lol

[@vasilislemon7842]

Warcraft and starcraft...what a pair!!! Blizzard was the jaggernaut of gaming industry during the 90's era. Ahhh sweet memories of my youth!

[@SeanzenGaming]

Yes, both are incredible! The stories of both WarCraft and StarCraft hold up even today. That's part of what makes it enjoyable for me to go back to even now.

[@SashkoBljad]

I agree about Jim's avatar

[@SeanzenGaming]

Yes, I don't feel like it ruins the character or effects the story deeply. Only that it slightly changes the character from the original. Then again, it's only an interpretation lol. I can understand how I'm sure some people out there prefer the new model.

[@peedee1964]

Thanks for vid

[@SeanzenGaming]

Absolutely, and thanks for commenting about it. It was legitimately a great time going through it.

[@jgaming3786]

I still play this game

[@piotrtoborek2442]

I loved how You noticed the religions' influence on the races, I found it strange/confusing as kid but as an adult I can relate a lot 😉 Terrans are like christians: conquering territories and converting nations at all cost Zergs are like muslims: overtaking territories by fast growth rate and sheer numbers plus blowing themselves up Protoss are like jews: Powerfull elitists with greater knowledge and skills, highly intelligent but too pridefull for their own good It makes me bawl when I think all of this was put into old game! Love the Starcraft forver ❤

[@shaggyfeng9110]

BW forever!

[@sicilianmammalian]

I think psi storm is created by their mind what am I a psientist?

[@pandabearguy1]

Still the best game in existence

[@Archmage90]

haha woof woof Eh, I still remember Blizzard making actual games.

[@SeanzenGaming]

For me, nothing can take away from all the incredible work and talent of the people that originally worked on these older games. Most of them really aren't at Blizzard anymore. But when they were together and made StarCraft, WarCraft, Diablo, it's just amazing they did all that.

[@Marduk401]

my elitist opinion is: That some games you can't just simply "review" like you would a normal game, no offense. it's like doing a video where you review "chess" or something.

[@SeanzenGaming]

I can for sure see how it seems like some games aren't able to be reviewed like a normal game would be. It does make it difficult when a game is as popular as StarCraft is and given all the history it has and everything surrounding it. Although I named the video a review and certain aspects of the game I speak of it in a way that's a review, I really would like to bring attention to how everything came together so well to make it an incredible experience. It might remind someone that watches how well it was made if they haven't seen anything on it for a long time! That's nice feedback though. It can help how I approach different topics in the future!

[@CornyCF]

My Wife for Aiur!