To call Starcraft II addictive is an understatement. When I’m not cleaning house, drawing, or manning the reference desk at work then I’m logged into Starcraft playing through the campaign or taking people on over battle.net.

The campaign is a bit too easy, but I can see where it would be difficult for players who didn’t spend years playing the original game. Thankfully they’ve put in achievements that add a level of challenge that keep the game interesting. Still, I prefer to go toe to toe with the AI or against other players with the entire tech tree available to play with rather than slogging through the campaign where new units are handed out grudgingly as the story and the tactical situation demands. I’ll probably work my way through the campaign eventually, but the online play is where the real game starts.

I haven’t left the unrated beginner’s league yet. Mostly that’s because there are enough new things in the game that I don’t feel comfortable going on to rated matches until I’ve had a chance to get a feel for the groove in the new game. The drawback to that plan is that there are often quite a few legitimate new players mixed in with old hands who are familiarizing themselves with the game. So while in one game I’ll lose because of a unit I didn’t even realize was in the game, in five more it’s a simple matter of mopping up the other player with a quick rush before they even realize what’s going on. I have a feeling that I’ll have to go to the rated matches to get anything approaching a regular challenge.

Here’s hoping everyone has a good weekend, and enjoy the labor day holiday!