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[-Pyromaniac-]

장민철
‏@sk__mc
i played some campain HOTS if u guys want play this campain ready for popcorn coke and panty because it's sick movies and can't go restroom

https://twitter.com/sk__mc/status/311352096081444864

lol dude is the bombbbb

 

[duckroll]

Total idiotic question incoming but I've read conflicting responses on the net. My Internet speed has been nerfed by my ISP (thanks Virgin Media) which means this game would take hours to download from Blizzard's servers. I'm thinking of picking up the disc version of Heart of the Swarm tomorrow to marathon the campaign tomorrow night.

Here's my stupid question: do I need Wings of Liberty to play this? I had it installed on a previous machine but the game's not on this one. I don't have a copy on hand (meaning I would have to buy it again; however cheap it may be used). If I buy HOTS tomorrow and install it from the disc will it play on a machine without WOL?

I'm certain this may have already been answered but this thread is becoming a monolith. I would appreciate an honest and accurate response to this. I really don't want to buy the game and come home without the ability to start the campaign.

Anyone?

You need WoL on your B.net account for HotS to work. If you do a fresh install from the disc for HotS, you will probably still need to download several gig of shit before it is functional. You do NOT need the WoL disc.

This is straight from the Blizzard website:

That's not really what he's asking though. As long as he has the game attached to his account, he's fine. If he doesn't... then well... I dunno! You don't need the WoL disc, and you don't even need it installed to play HotS.

 

[Esiquio]

Man, I hope that they release some higher bitrate FMV. Almost thought this was a console port for a second.

Are you saying the FMV and in-game cutscenes in HotS don't look good? Hmm, too bad, thought they looked good in WoL. The CE of HotS I got has a Blu-Ray with the FMV apparently, so I'll check that out later.

If you guys go into the Menu > Options > Gameplay - you'll see the "Expansion Level" of the game is selectable. Out of curiosity I selected "Starter Edition - HotS". I can play against the A.I. and do some training, and earn XP during a game against the A.I. I leveled up to level 2 as well...strange. Just waiting for my friend who went to the Irvine Blizzard event to send me my CE code.

 

[kayos90]

장민철
‏@sk__mc
i played some campain HOTS if u guys want play this campain ready for popcorn coke and panty because it's sick movies and can't go restroom

https://twitter.com/sk__mc/status/311352096081444864

At first I thought this was really crappy google translate then I clicked the link and realized that he actually typed this. LOL.

 

[duckroll]

Are you saying the FMV and in-game cutscenes in HotS don't look good? Hmm, too bad, thought they looked good in WoL. The CE of HotS I got has a Blu-Ray with the FMV apparently, so I'll check that out later.

If you guys go into the Menu > Options > Gameplay - you'll see the "Expansion Level" of the game is selectable. Out of curiosity I selected "Starter Edition - HotS". I can play against the A.I. and do some training, and earn XP during a game against the A.I. I leveled up to level 2 as well...strange. Just waiting for my friend who went to the Irvine Blizzard event to send me my CE code.

The biggest problem is that WoL had actual realtime cutscenes. HotS instead chooses to pre-record almost all of them using in-game assets instead, and the encoding quality for the cutscenes leaves MUCH to be desired.

 

[bar mitzvah]

Are you saying the FMV and in-game cutscenes in HotS don't look good? Hmm, too bad, thought they looked good in WoL. The CE of HotS I got has a Blu-Ray with the FMV apparently, so I'll check that out later.

If you guys go into the Menu > Options > Gameplay - you'll see the "Expansion Level" of the game is selectable. Out of curiosity I selected "Starter Edition - HotS". I can play against the A.I. and do some training, and earn XP during a game against the A.I. I leveled up to level 2 as well...strange. Just waiting for my friend who went to the Irvine Blizzard event to send me my CE code.

They look good, artistically, but the encoding quality is looow. Mine pretty much looks like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVbeoSPqRs4 set to 1080p. Loaded with compression artifacts.

 

[duckroll]

They look good, artistically, but the encoding quality is looow. Mine pretty much looks like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVbeoSPqRs4 set to 1080p. Loaded with compression artifacts.

The worst parts are the dark scenes. When it's shades of black or grey, it just looks like total utter poop.

 

[StayDead]

At first I thought this was really crappy google translate then I clicked the link and realized that he actually typed this. LOL.

Bosstoss' English is Boss.

 

[JLeack]

Sounds like a lot of people are saying to play it on hard mode.

I'm doing the review for the site I work for and I'm playing on Hard. It just feels like I should.

 

[ShaneB]

Sorry if I missed this, but is there a chat channel that the GAF'ers are using to join up together and play together?

There is the NeoGAF group in game, and the chat room in there usually has people in there, seemed pretty active. I'm a bit confused though, can I not see those chat messages during campaign?? that seems silly.

 

[Esiquio]

The biggest problem is that WoL had actual realtime cutscenes. HotS instead chooses to pre-record almost all of them using in-game assets instead, and the encoding quality for the cutscenes leaves MUCH to be desired.

They look good, artistically, but the encoding quality is looow. Mine pretty much looks like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVbeoSPqRs4 set to 1080p. Loaded with compression artifacts.

Okay, sorry, are you guys talking about the far-and-few-between FMV, or the very common, in-engine rendered "cutscenes". Good God, the first minute of that video looked incredible. I don't want to watch anymore until I get a chance to sit down and play.

 

[duckroll]

Okay, sorry, are you guys talking about the far-and-few-between FMV, or the very common, in-engine rendered "cutscenes". Good God, the first minute of that video looked incredible. I don't want to watch anymore until I get a chance to sit down and play.

The latter. The CG FMV looks pretty great, but I think it's probably just an opening and an ending. Most of the scenes are in-engine, but now they're pre-recorded movies instead, and they look kinda ass.

 

[ultron87]

The latter. The CG FMV looks pretty great, but I think it's probably just an opening and an ending. Most of the scenes are in-engine, but now they're pre-recorded movies instead, and they look kinda ass.

Yeah, they look really awful. I don't understand why they didn't just keep it real time.

 

[f0rk]

The conversations between missions are so Bioware like it's off putting. How all the characters have very deliberate ways of talking and how Kerrigan phrases her questions it feels like there is a Mass Effect dialogue wheel hidden that the game is just circling around.

 

[razgriz417]

Is anyone getting any of the achievements for the campaign? Mine don't seem to be syncing :/

 

[suko_32]

Is anyone getting any of the achievements for the campaign? Mine don't seem to be syncing :/

It is bugged right now. I have no clue if it's going to be retroactive.

 

[Esiquio]

Ah, okay. They probably just wanted to save time/money. Blizz FMV is world-class stuff and takes a really long-ass time to do. I hope there's more than two in HotS - there were four in WoL, just looked at the list and I'm pretty sure that count is right.

 

[razgriz417]

It is bugged right now. I have no clue if it's going to be retroactive.

Ah ok, least I'm not the only one. But yea hope they are retroactive, dunno if I want to do some of the painfully slow early missions

 

[antitrop]

I can confirm that reloading your last autosave at the end of a mission and finishing it again will get you the Achievements if you finished the mission while the service was down.

 

[Max]

Pretty fun seeing destiny play hots

More viewers than he'll ever have for LoL

 

[Lime]

It's very definitely a Zerg UI.

Also, I'm still getting achievements and Cloaken said on Reddit that they're having issues in EU only.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[antitrop]

Everyone gets Metabolic Boost first, right?

 

[SteveO409]

Everyone gets Metabolic Boost first, right?

and instant overlords, double drones

 

[f0rk]

and instant overlords, double drones

Droneless extractors > instant overlords

 

[Keikaku]

Everyone gets Metabolic Boost first, right?

and instant overlords, double drones

Those alone break the game. Instant Overlords (which also give you more supply!) and double drones are game-breaking with any sort of macro behind them. It's ridiculous fun to be rolling around with maxed out armies and crushing AI face.

 

[Felix Lighter]

Argh. StarCraft. I want to be good at you! Why won't you let me?

 

[Draft]

Blizzard the console developer has begun using console style difficulty levels. Normal is probably a joke, I haven't tried it yet. Hard is very fun and I've lost a couple times and have had to scramble a bit and use a bit of my terrible but better than a total newb Zerg macro.

 

[Bisnic]

I can't seem to find the last 2

Spoiler

Zerg Biomass on Char and i'm at the last Gorgon.

Where the hell are they?

 

[duckroll]

Blizzard the console developer has begun using console style difficulty levels. Normal is probably a joke, I haven't tried it yet. Hard is very fun and I've lost a couple times and have had to scramble a bit and use a bit of my terrible but better than a total newb Zerg macro.

I'm definitely moving up to Hard now. Lol.

 

[Paches]

Blah. I'm guessing they won't have a fix that will unlock the achievements/awards later if you already obtained them forcing us to get them again ?

Seems stable right now for me FWIW.

 

[Majine]

Looking forward to the Gametrailers review. For some reason, they spend like 50% more resources on Blizzard games reviews than any other. The Pandaria one is fantastic.

 

[AdventureRacing]

Everyone gets Metabolic Boost first, right?

I went for adrenal glands. I don't really want my lings running ahead and dieing in the campaign and i found that's what was happening with metabolic boost. Plus on a lot of missions i really want the extra DPS (plus i spread the creep fast and have lots of speed negating the speed loss somewhat).

Once i got the lings that can jump they use that as a gap closer instead of speed anyway and the +2 damage along with adrenal glands is just disgustingly strong.

Blizzard the console developer has begun using console style difficulty levels. Normal is probably a joke, I haven't tried it yet. Hard is very fun and I've lost a couple times and have had to scramble a bit and use a bit of my terrible but better than a total newb Zerg macro.

This was the same in WOL except i would argue that hard was a joke as well.

I agree with this. I think too many people in here have this "New is bad" mindset. They have these preconceived notions of what the characters should be. Everyone changes.

What the hell is this? Preconceived notions? You do understand that SC2 is a sequel right? Of course we have an idea based on how the characters should be based on what we already know of them. SC2 is full of plot holes and characters that have just become entirely new people even though it makes absolutely no sense.

I didn't expect SC2 to be exactly the same as BW, change is good. Just randomly changing characters personalities, intentions and back story for no reason is just bullshit.

I also strongly disagree with the notion being posted yet again that SC1's dialogue is as bad as what we have got in SC2 (comparing it to books and films annoys me to no end, you don't have to be a top quality novel to have a good story).

The dialogue in SC2 is far worse than in SC1. Sure SC1 had cheese but it wasn't cringe worthy bullshit like we're getting now. It was used to lighten the mood and stop the game from taking itself so seriously.

Everyone can have their own opinion but it's kind of insulting to imply that we just hate it because it's new.

 

[AppleSmack]

I have gotten no acheivements for the first 4 missions

I have to replay them to get them don't I?

I can confirm that reloading your last autosave at the end of a mission and finishing it again will get you the Achievements if you finished the mission while the service was down.

Thanks for this!

 

[Keikaku]

Just finished the campaign and played my first placement match.

Went up against a Protoss called "Pkm" who tried to one base all-in me. It was only after the match that I remembered facing this guy multiple times on the WoL ladder and, yes, his bread and butter was some form of 1 or 2 base all in.

Not today, Pkm. Not today.

 

[BlackJace]

This expansion fucking

Spoiler

does not

sucks.

 

[Draft]

This was the same in WOL except i would argue that hard was a joke as well.

Most people are much better at gaming than I. Hard is keeping me on my toes.

 

[Paches]

Just finished the campaign and played my first placement match.

Went up against a Protoss called "Pkm" who tried to one base all-in me. It was only after the match that I remembered facing this guy multiple times on the WoL ladder and, yes, his bread and butter was some form of 1 or 2 base all in.

Not today, Pkm. Not today.

My first placement match was a cannon rusher. Yep, he was bronze.

(I deflected it easily).

 

[Keikaku]

Most people are much better at gaming than I. Hard is keeping me on my toes.

With regards to the difficulty level, I would say that if you can play Zerg at anything around Gold league level in WoL, you'll crush the campaign on Normal and Hard.

If you combine any semblance of macro with the double Drone and extra supply Overlords upgrades, you'll curbstomp the AI on any difficulty.

My first placement match was a cannon rusher. Yep, he was bronze.

(I deflected it easily).

Pkm was Platinum...what the fuck

 

[SnakeswithLasers]

Considering there's a background download, it's not really a big deal.

Perhaps a waste of hard drive space, at most.

Thank god ISPs haven't started using bandwidth caps...oh wait. =|

 

[drexl]

GAWD the writing in this is so cheesy and self-indulgent. the whole forced jim-sarah romance is straight out of a fucking soap opera, it makes bioware romances look oscar-worthy by comparison

can blizzard please fire chris metzen already?

 

[derder]

http://www.ign.com/videos/2013/03/11/starcraft-ii-the-story-so-far

5 minute recap of SC2

 

[antitrop]

can blizzard please fire chris metzen already?

He would have to fire himself.

 

[AppleSmack]

I can confirm that reloading your last autosave at the end of a mission and finishing it again will get you the Achievements if you finished the mission while the service was down.

WTH it is not working for me anymore!

 

[Crimsonlink]

I only played a bit thanks to class.

Here is my experience in parts.

Campaign: Only did about 3 missions so far. Gonna finish it tonight.

MP: Did 2 placement matches both Terrans. 1st Terran was kinda noobish and I beat him easily. 2nd Terran was much better and I lost thanks to late transition to Battlecruisers.

I have to say though PROXY FACTORY FTW!

Man getting a Tank with 2 mines and siegeing the base of a fast expanding Terran/Zerg is so fun. They try to send over stimmed/fast units, Widow Mines take care of them. Of course the smart ones send only 1 rine or ling to activate it and then take out the tank but man is it worth it.

 

[OriginofHysteria]

Well since I hear that the story is crap, how's the actual campaign of this game compared to WoL?

Speaking of...I have the urge to re-install WoL now.

 

[AdventureRacing]

Well since I hear that the story is crap, how's the actual campaign of this game compared to WoL?

Speaking of...I have the urge to re-install WoL now.

It's different but i'm enjoying it just as much as the WOL campaign. It's a completely different play style, this campaign you are going for more of a swarm army than a turtling one. I like the feeling of constantly reinforcing my army and swarming the enemy (especially once you get respawning lings my god).

Going for achievements adds a bid of a challenge to the campaign as well, moreso than in WOL imo.

 

[bs000]

Spoiler

Lemon Juice! http://youtu.be/KCzt6oLUqbM

Not sure if spoiler, but it happens really early in the campaign.

 

[f0rk]

Where can I find 3 builds to learn if I want to play random? Or can someone recommend one for each race. Going 1 for each matchup seems like a bit overkill for now.

 

[Technosteve]

So they intentionally write this like a bad 80's action flick?

 

[demosthenes]

I AM HOME AND I AM UPDATED.

YEEEEEES