The biggest change seems so far to be the an increase in the number of abilities and options available to units or structures. The Protoss Stalker, for example, replaces the Dragoon but can also receive a 'Blink' teleport upgrade while Zealots' passive moment speed upgrade now grants an active 'Charge' as well, adding a small but welcome extra level of interaction and control. On the home front, the Zerg Queen picks up several base-boosting abilities such as spawning extra larva at a hatchery, while Terran production structures can be upgraded with either a Tech Lab to produce advanced units or a Reactor to build two units at once. There are scores of other small changes like this, simply giving players more to decide and do.

Presentation is as slick as one expects from Blizzard. The graphics are attractive, clear and perfectly suited to the task, with the classic StarCraft slightly stylised look. Music follows StarCraft's general style, though the Zerg now have even darker ambient-industrial and the Terrans' western elements are played up to produce some fine twangy space-rock. Unit sounds are as enjoyable and quotable as ever.

Only multiplayer and AI skirmish modes are currently available, with 1v1, 2v2 and FFA on offer. Players are first offered five beginner matches, played against other beginners on maps where the bases are initially sealed up behind destructible rocks--meaning you can safely acclimatise to the game without facing rushes off the bat. You can skip the beginner matches, in which case you'll still face ten "placement matches" before the Battle.net matchmaking is able to find suitable opponents for you.