Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
"Stellar" sci-fi strategy expansion wows fans of the series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm
What's It About?
As the first official expansion to StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, STARCRAFT II: HEART OF THE SWARM starts with an imprisoned Sarah Kerrigan, once Queen of the Blades, deep in a research facility run by Crown Prince Valerian Mengsk. While being tested to see if Kerrigan still has psychic control over the Zerg race, the facility is attacked by Dominion forces, which helps Kerrigan escape -- not before an embrace with her former lover, Jim Raynor, the hero from the first game. So, just how will Kerrigan reclaim her power and exact vengeance on her captors? Without giving away much more of the purposely campy single-player tale, StarCraft fans will once again take control over the Terrans (humans), as they battle the tech-savvy Protoss and the swarming Zerg. These three powerful and well-balanced races face off on alien worlds, each with their own tactics, technology, units, and weapons, as well as unique characters and motivations. Players will also mine resources to fuel their military might during both the solo game and multiplayer head-to-head and cooperative (co-op) modes playable online.
Is It Any Good?
Yes, indeed. Along with the all-new story-driven sci-fi single-player campaign with more than two dozen levels and cinematic sequences to help push the tale along, you'll gain access to devastating new units across dynamic battlefields, unlock Kerrigan's latent psionic powers, and planet hop aboard your moon-sized Zerg Leviathan.
Fans of the multiplayer modes from the first game will be able to experience all new enhancements to the online games, including new co-op games with friends, custom-made mod downloads from the StarCraft II Arcade, and engage in multiple competitive modes for bragging rights on the global leaderboard. There isn't much to complain about with this game -- unless you don't like Blizzard's "if it ain't broke" design philosophy -- plus be aware you need StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty to play this stellar strategy expansion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about sequels. Blizzard Entertainment takes a long time between games -- too long, many gamers and industry folks argue. Is this expansion worth the wait or are they "over-polishing" the game? Do the long periods of time between titles build your excitement or do you forget about the sequel or expansion altogether?
This is a game where the multiplayer aspect is a big draw. Do you play games to interact with others or do you prefer games you play alone? Why? Do you like cooperative games or ones where you go it alone?
Game Details
- Platforms : Mac , Windows
- Subjects : Science : engineering , geology , rocks and minerals , Language & Reading : following directions , Social Studies : exploration , geography
- Skills : Creativity : brainstorming , developing novel solutions , making new creations , Collaboration : cooperation , meeting challenges together , teamwork , Tech Skills : digital creation , using and applying technology , Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , investigation , strategy , Self-Direction : set objectives , time management
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Blizzard Entertainment
- Release date : March 12, 2013
- Genre : Real-Time Strategy (RTS)
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , STEM
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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