StarCraft II review

StarCraft II ranks second because it is the strongest RTS you can play without paying. Blizzard's own page labels it real-time strategy and free to play, and says large parts of the single-player and multiplayer modes are accessible for free, including the first, Terran campaign. You command Terran, Zerg or Protoss, then pick a mode: the story campaign, the ranked multiplayer ladder that Blizzard calls the world's premier real-time-strategy esport, Co-op missions with a partner, or player-made custom games in the Arcade. It runs on Windows and Mac through Battle.net. The limits are commercial and practical: the full Zerg and Protoss campaigns are sold separately, the game is not on Steam, and competitive play rewards fast hands, so players who want a slower pace should look at They Are Billions, which has a pause button.

Who it is for

Competitive players and anyone who wants a top RTS for free

Price

Free to play on Battle.net; the Zerg and Protoss campaigns are sold separately.

REAL-TIME STRATEGY • FREE TO PLAY
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Three playable races: Terran, Zerg and Protoss
• First campaign free to play, with Zerg and Protoss campaigns for purchase
• Ranked multiplayer ladder
• Co-op missions with a partner
• Arcade of player-made custom games

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Blizzard states large parts of the single-player and multiplayer modes are free
• Strength: Blizzard calls it the world's premier real-time-strategy esport, so ranked play is still central
• Strength: Runs on both Windows and Mac through Battle.net
• Weakness: Full Zerg and Protoss campaigns cost extra
• Weakness: Only on Battle.net, not on Steam
• Weakness: Fast multiplayer rewards mechanical speed that newcomers may find punishing

Key facts

• Developer and publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
• Price: Free to play
• Races: Terran, Zerg, Protoss
• Store: Battle.net
• Platforms: Windows and Mac

Where it ranks

StarCraft II is No. 2 in our Best RTS Games verdict.