Editing Zerg (section)

==Critical reception==
One of the main factors responsible for ''StarCraft''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s positive reception is the attention paid to the three unique playable races, for each of which Blizzard developed completely different characteristics, graphics, backstories, and styles of gameplay, while keeping them balanced in performance against each other.<ref name="GspotAward">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/starcraft.html |title=The Greatest Games of All Time |website=[[GameSpot]] |year=1998 |access-date=2008-09-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060705173935/http://uk.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/starcraft.html |archive-date=2006-07-05 }}</ref> Previous to this, most real-time strategy games consisted of factions and races with the same basic "[[chess]]" play styles and units with only superficial differences. The use of unique sides and [[asymmetric warfare]] in ''StarCraft'' has been credited with popularizing the concept within the real-time strategy genre.<ref name="GspotAward"/> Contemporary reviews of the game have mostly praised the attention to the gameplay balance between the species,<ref name="IGN_SC"/> as well as the fictional narratives built around them.<ref name="GameSpot_SC"/>

In their review for ''StarCraft'', [[IGN|IGN's]] Tom Chick stated that the balance and difference between the races was "remarkable", continuing to praise the game's "radical" approach to different races and its high degree of success when compared with other games in the genre. IGN was also positive about the unit arrangements for the three races, crediting Blizzard Entertainment for not letting units become obsolete during extended play and for showing an "extraordinary amount of patience in balancing them."<ref name="IGN_SC">{{cite web|url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/152/152159p1.html|title=''StarCraft'' Review|website=IGN|author=Chick, Tom|access-date=2008-04-06|date=2000-06-02|archive-date=2011-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719022104/http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/152/152159p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[GameSpot]] was complimentary of the species in its review for ''StarCraft'', describing the races as being full of personality. Stating that the use of distinct races allowed for the game "to avoid the problem [of equal sides] that has plagued every other game in the genre", GameSpot praised Blizzard Entertainment for keeping it "well balanced despite the great diversity."<ref name="GameSpot_SC">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/starcraft/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=tabs&tag=tabs;reviews|title=''StarCraft'' for the PC Review|website=[[GameSpot]]|author=Dulin, Ron|access-date=2008-04-06|date=1998-04-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203034133/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/starcraft/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=tabs&tag=tabs;reviews|archive-date=2009-02-03}}</ref>

Other reviews have echoed much of this positive reception. The site The Gamers' Temple described the species as "very diverse but well-balanced, " stating that this allowed for "a challenging and fun gaming experience."<ref name="Temple_SC">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerstemple.com/games/000022/000022r01.asp|title=''StarCraft'' Review|publisher=The Gamers' Temple|access-date=2008-04-06|archive-date=2008-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405051700/http://www.gamerstemple.com/games/000022/000022r01.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Allgame]] stated that the inclusion of three "dynamic" species "raises the bar" for real-time strategy games, complimenting the game for forcing the player to "learn how [the aliens'] minds work and not think like a human".<ref name="Allgame_SC">{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/cg/agg.dll?p=agg&sql=1:6109~T1|title=''StarCraft'' Review|publisher=[[Allgame]]|author=House, Michael L|access-date=2008-04-06|archive-date=2009-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721003335/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=6109|url-status=dead}}</ref> Commentators have also praised the aesthetic design of the three races; in particular, the [[powered exoskeleton|powered armor]] worn by the Terran Marine was rated eleventh on in a ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' feature on the top armor suits in video games,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maxim.com/12-MJOLNIR-Mark-VI/The-13-Most-Badass-Video-Game-Power-Suits/gallery/40655/4131.aspx#/11-CMCPowered-Combat-Suit/The-13-Most-Badass-Video-Game-Power-Suits/gallery/40656/4131.aspx|title=The 13 Most Badass Video Game Power Suits|work=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]|access-date=2009-01-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201005515/http://maxim.com/12-MJOLNIR-Mark-VI/The-13-Most-Badass-Video-Game-Power-Suits/gallery/40655/4131.aspx#/11-CMCPowered-Combat-Suit/The-13-Most-Badass-Video-Game-Power-Suits/gallery/40656/4131.aspx|archive-date=2009-02-01}}</ref> and ninth in a similar feature by [[Machinima.com]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.machinima.com/film/view&id=28266|title=Starship Troopers 3 presents "Top 10 Video Game Armor"|publisher=[[Machinima.com]]|access-date=2008-08-08|date=2008-07-29|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204061859/http://www.machinima.com/film/view%26id%3D28266|archive-date=2009-02-04}}</ref>

This positive view, however, is not universally held. For example, ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'', while describing the game as "highly playable, " nevertheless described a "slight feeling of déjà vu" between the three races.<ref name="CVG_SC">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3468|title=PC Review: ''StarCraft''|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|access-date=2008-04-06|date=2001-08-13|archive-date=2010-11-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102012855/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3468|url-status=live}}</ref>