I know I sound like a broken record, but Halo Wars continues to provide hours of enjoyment. Last night, during an epic 2v2 battle, I was reminded of why I love playing multiplayer real time strategy so much. First, nothing can top defeating a human opponent. There is a major difference between fighting the AI, who is following a certain algorithm and only adheres to it more carefully as the difficulty increases, and taking on another human player, his or her brain, and all the strengths and flaws that are contained therein. Second, in a multiplayer match, you need to constantly shift your strategies, take risks, and in an evenly matched game there is always that point where you need to risk it all in order to win. Third, I love RTS for the way it encourages multitasking, you always need to be doing two, three, or four things at once, and that multitasking is what makes the games feel so frenetic and out of control (at least that’s how I play). Finally, long RTS battles force you to have “video game stamina”, in battles of attrition, the waning desire to keep playing really threatens your ability to pull out a victory.
Last night’s battle was amazing because over half of it we played 2v1. Normally, playing 2v1 should be a huge advantage, but the player who was left was obviously much better than us and he had us on the brink of elimination multiple times. It was a match that my partner and I never thought we were going to win until we finally did, and afterwards I was so tired I didn’t even really want to play anymore. Major props to our opponent, and I am incredibly sad that Halo Wars does not support replays.
What does support replays, however, is Starcraft 2, and the media has been asked to submit their beta requests by June 19th, so my anticipation is building. I really hope the game supports matchmaking, though I don’t know if Blizzard does that sort of thing. One of Halo Wars few advantages over the original Starcraft is that I don’t have to type 2v2 Lost Temple!!!!!! every time I want to play. Regardless, I am confident Starcraft 2 will live up to its pedigree and I cannot WAIT.