Now we can get to the actual gameplay of the multiplayer beta. The most obvious question is whether or not there's anything new, different or unique about the gameplay based on what's included in this beta?

The answer to that question is: Not really. Blizzard must know that fans of the original StarCraft didn't want to turn the game, at least in its multiplayer mode, into something totally different from the first game. There are a few superficial changes; a few new units, some destructible environments in the maps. But the same basic gameplay that was introduced 12 years ago remains. You gather resources, build structures, create units and send them on their way to fight against opponents.

The truth is that Blizzard would have been slammed if they tampered too much with the gameplay design for the sequel. They didn't want to bring in, say, Warcraft 3-like hero units or RPG features or do away with gathering resources like many other RTS games have done since the release of the original StarCraft. Instead, they concentrated on making the gameplay formula that worked for the first StarCraft work for this game too.

In that respect, the multiplayer beta gives fans what they want: an all new StarCraft game with full 3D graphics, excellent art, animation and gameplay. While it doesn't mess around much with the established formula, it's still a lot of fun. The Zerg are still the vicious and mean alien bugs of the original that swarm in vast numbers and blow up real good when killed. The Protoss are cold and distant high-tech alien race with psi-based weapons and units. Lastly, the Terrans are the race that you want to spend some time with a beer. They are industrial, dirty and funny. Oddly enough, the Terran of StarCraft II have evolved a little bit. Instead of redneck hillbillies, they seem to be more like Wild West cowboys in space. We wonder if Blizzard's game designers are fans of Firefly.

Playing in the beta reminds me that, while I loved the original StarCraft when I played it years ago, there are lots of folks who still play it and know the ins and outs of quickly making their forces. It seems like I was barely making my barracks before I was being attacked by my opponents. It's still fun to play, but man, there are people who must play 24/7 out there. If it weren't so early in the beta, we would start wondering if the skill matching feature actually worked.

There are a few issues with the beta we noticed. The first match we played had units that appeared and disappeared but when the graphics drivers on our PC were updated that problem seems to stop. Another issue that kept occurring is that the gameplay paused for a few seconds occasionally and then speeded back up to get back in sync. Otherwise performance was not an issue. The beta code ran very well for the most part

Of course, this beta is just a small fraction of what the full game will have. In addition to more multiplayer maps, more gameplay modes and more Battle.Net 2.0 features, the full game will have the Terran single player campaign. Blizzard has already announced plans to do some different things for StarCraft II's single player mode, such as make it non-linear. Of course, we're also looking forward to some new and spectacular CGI cut scenes.

Overall the beta for StarCraft II lives up to expectations. The gameplay is fun, the Battle.Net 2.0 features are pretty slick - and let's face it. it's always fun watching Terran Marines get swarmed by a Zerg army. Blizzard will likely add features to the beta (including support for the Mac and a map editor), so we will give some updated impressions as new content and features arrive.