The juggernaut of mouse-clicking that is StarCraft II just received a huge shot of adrenalin in the form of the first expansion for the game, the Zerg-focused Heart of the Swarm .

Made for competitive eSports; Good price; Adds to the multiplayer

The campaign is simple; Multiplayer has a steep learning curve; New trainning mode is underwhelming

We're not spoiling anything you haven't already seen on any of the game's trailers – or box art.  Kerrigan is back and ready to lead her squishy-sounding army of Zerg to victory once again, flattening out any speed bumps in her way within one of the three plots Blizzard knows how to write nowadays:...

Excellent graphics; creative in-game mechanics; great re-playability

Lame plot; multiplayer additions feel a wee sparse

Minimum System Requirements: StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty OS: Windows? XP/Windows Vista?/Windows? 7/Windows? 8 (Updated with the latest Service Packs) with DirectX? 9.0c Processor: Intel? Pentium? D or AMD Athlon? 64 X2 Video: NVIDIA? GeForce? 7600 GT or ATI? Radeon? X800 XT or better Memory: 1.5...

Great RTS game; high level of polish; fun story; long-lasting multiplayer

Most of the new content is in single player; limited single player replayability; large price tag for those not interested in the single player campaign

Last year, Blizzard stepped back onto the scene of action-RPGs with Diablo 3, which was one of the biggest releases in 2012 (The staying power of the game however…. –Ed. Vince). This year, with StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm, they continue their sci-fi themed real-time strategy series with another...

Exciting and diverse single-player mission structure; a beautiful and overall engaging real-time strategy with that traditional Blizzard glimmer that gives it a terrific epic feel; the brilliant art; cool-looking graphics and awesome sound create a fine atmosphere

Some character and story inconsistencies; relatively short story campaign; friendly AI not as alert as it should be

StarCraft is like reconnecting with an old buddy. You might liken the series, as critic Tom Chick does , to a muscle that needs exercise lest it atrophy, but that sounds like work. StarCraft isn't a muscle; it's an ongoing conversation.

Increased tactical flexibility The new multiplayer units - two each for the Terran and Zerg factions and three for the Protoss - easily fit into specific roles on the battlefield; Our spacefaring cowboys now have the Hellbat and Widow Mine.

StarCraft II probably didn't need the new units While the new multiplayer troops offer additional flexibility; and I look forward to seeing what pro players are able to do with them; they also feel somewhat uninspired and provide overlapping roles to existing soldiers from Wings of Liberty.

One of the few games that is built around 2 expansions: Starcraft 2. This game has a broad history and a strong storyline, which cannot be told in a single campaign. Aside from that, Starcraft 2 is still one of the most online played and streamed game out there of this moment.

New Campaign; New Units / maps; Nice price

Must buy to play online; MP relatively the same

"Sarah Kerrigan is a total boss." "...missions feel much more streamlined and exciting..." "HotS offers the best user experience [for online play] yet.

Incalculable replay value; The briskly paced campaign; Much-improved coaching for newbies

Some cheesy dialogue; Matchmaking still has a few kinks; Getting your ego decimated online

I loved Jim Raynor and his heroic stance and the spiritual superiority of the Protoss and over time, I came to appreciate the way the three main races of the universe were locked in continuous combat with each other because of circumstances and betrayals rather than out of genuine hatred.

+ Old-school strategy mechanics; + New options for multiplayer; + Impressive presentation

- No innovation; - Soap opera level story

It has been almost two years since Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty was released. Since then, fans of the Zerg have been waiting for the Heart of the Swarm expansion to tell that race's side of the story. The time has finally come for the Zerg to get their moment to shine--and shine they do.

Fun and diverse campaign with plenty of places to visit and cover in creep; Kerrigan and her army can be upgraded in powerful; satisfying ways; Great; varied online play with strategic depth; Slick production values in all respects

Absurd story makes the original Starcraft seem like Shakespeare; Some multiplayer balancing issues

Kerrigan returns to lead the Zerg armies once again in the first proper expansion to StarCraft II. Our full review.

+ Campaign is diverse; + New units are fun; + Streamlined interface; + Meaty expansion pack

Some frame rate dips; Story feels bleak in contrast