Okay im not much of a strategy fan, i have played them all the big hits and the only one any good is the command and conquer series i didn't even bother trying this game in 1998 (I didn't like warcraft 1 or 2).In 2002 a friend showed it to me and i played it with him(he had a lan in his house and i have one now too) and i tell you, it is different then any RTS i have ever played i mean i got so into it i stayed up till 2:00 in the morning playing it with him. I bought it the day after(hey it only cost 10.00$s at most places). Whoever said that is had a bad story on the single player is WRONG. It is the most gripping story on a RTS EVER, I promise, it is a story of betrayel, your allies might not be what they seem to be and it has main characters that you have to protect during most missions. It is not just a war between 3 factions. BUY IT , NOW GO ill be waiting for you on battle.net.