Warcraft 2 is where I began my Warcraft RTS journey and I had always wondered what the original game was like.
Now that GOG.com have kindly provided a version that works on modern PCs I've been able to experience the classic for myself.
At first the game is surprisingly clunky. Each action must be instructed by hotkey or clicking the panel in the bottom left. Even scrolling around the map requires a left click when the scrolling arrow appears. The graphics are extremely pixelated on a modern screen and take some getting used to. I thought I would be in for a tough ride. However, you do become used to the controls and visuals.
The micro is maddening sometimes, although it is possible to have some exciting battles with the AI.
The path building system was thankfully dropped in later entries to the series but there is fun to be had planning building placement so as not to cause traffic jams for peasants.
The missions have some interesting variations; basic build a base and conquer the enemy, army assault of an enemy base with no reinforcement and even dungeon crawler levels.
The map designs are interesting enough and invite the player to hold certain positions of the map as gold mines run out. Or in dungeon maps their maze like structure is designed to sap resources but the background artwork tells you a story along the way.
Maybe I'm biased because of my love for warcraft 2 & 3 but I thoroughly enjoyed Orcs & Humans. A little too easy maybe but both factions are well designed and it was a joy to be transported back in time and experience the world of warcraft at its inception.
