#E x starcraft ii how to

However, low settings do point to a certain CPU bias. We cannot judge the influence of the processor at the moment, since most of our measurements were taken with a quad-core from Intel's Ivy Bridge generation. Anyone who wants to play the add-on at 1920x1080 pixels and with all the controls turned on is advised to look at a potent high-end GPU ( GeForce GTX 675M or better).Īll in all, we would call the hardware demands moderate. For high settings you should have at least a GeForce GT 640M (1366x768) or a GeForce GT 650M (1600x900), i.e. While the HD Graphics 3000 can only manage a minimal level of detail, with an HD Graphics 4000 you can already play at normal level - even if not super fluidly. In general: Even with a slow processor GPU, the title can be convinced to run at a respectable refresh rate. Anyone who could play Wings of Liberty without much trouble should also be able to run Heart of the Swarm easily. Those who own weaker notebooks can take a deep breath: The hardware hunger is limited and very similar to that of the main program. Depending on the level of difficulty, the operations prove to be more or less tricky. In a word: The developers took care to alternate the tempo and add variety. On the aforementioned ice planet we have to stop another mission of Protoss ships from reaching various portals. For example, there is an ice planet whose storms briefly freeze the Protoss opponents and make them easy targets. Like in Wings of Liberty, Blizzard breaks up the main events of the game with all sorts of side missions and surprises.

The first one or two hours of Heart of the Swarm do not quite feel like a purebred strategy game, but more like a modern action-mix.īut never fear: Later the levels open up, and you get the classic RTS feeling with base construction, production of raw materials, etc. The excellent (English) speakers and the - partly orchestral - background music add to the ambiance. The combination of cinematic staging and a high level of action create an awesome atmosphere. In order not to overwhelm the player, Blizzard chose to make the first level very linear.

#E x starcraft ii how to

Thanks to the great introduction that explains numerous gameplay elements, both beginners and those who love the series but have not played in a while will quickly learn how to get around with the Zerg. The corresponding prolog simultaneously functions as a tutorial. At the end of Wings of Liberty (the uninformed should skip this sentence), after Sarah Kerrigan is rescued by Jim Raynor and transformed back into her normal self, she has to prove her loyalty and abilities in a prison of sorts. Those who have played the main program will be able to use the add-on without any trouble. In Heart of the Swarm, we take the role of a Zerg - the role of their (former) queen, to be precise.

The intro is crowned by the appearance of the main character. The editing, sound and movement are comparable to that of a genuine animated movie. After a bombastic air battle, a plethora of Zergs and Terrans prepare for battle on the ground of a grayish-brown planet. The high-quality render intro, typical of Blizzard, is an excellent opener for the game. For the original German review, see here.įrom the beginning, the developers make it very clear the kind of quality they demand from themselves.