The battle chest is a great way to get both Starcraft and it's expansion BroodWar, together the make one of the best combat / strategy games. If you don't own Starcraft buy the battle chest and get all the extras. They will help you enjoy the game fully.  If you already own Starcraft unless you really want the two strategy guides just buy the expansion pack Broodwar instead. Starcraft really needs to be played with the expansion; it adds more depth to both the game and tactics with new missions and new units. The basic game play is pretty easy to pick up and if you play the single player missions in order you'll quickly learn the strengths and weaknesses of each troop type. Then the fun really begins when you battle against real opponents across the Internet. After you have played the single player missions you'll have your favorite race either Terran, Protos or Zerg. You'll come up with your own tactics on how to deal with your opponents There is a huge on-line community out there defending the `Honor' of each respective race. Buy the game and come play.  This game came out back in 1998 and it is still being played now.  Few games can say they have that lasting appeal. The battle Chest is 100% value for money