Classic Blizzard Games: Which to Play First?

If you are new to Blizzard Entertainment’s classic trilogy, start with Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (with its expansion, The Frozen Throne). It offers the most balanced introduction to Blizzard’s design philosophy—a gripping story, memorable heroes, and real-time strategy gameplay that teaches you the fundamentals that Starcraft and World of Warcraft later built upon. After that, move to Starcraft for a more competitive and faster-paced RTS experience, and save Diablo II for when you want a loot-driven action RPG that you can play solo or with friends.

Background: The Three Pillars of Blizzard

Blizzard Entertainment (now part of Activision Blizzard) released its three landmark franchises in the 1990s and early 2000s. Each defined a genre and has a dedicated fanbase that still plays it today.

• Warcraft began in 1994 with Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, a real-time strategy game set in the fantasy world of Azeroth. The series evolved through Warcraft II (1995) and reached its peak with Warcraft III (2002), which introduced hero units and a deep campaign that set up the events of World of Warcraft (2004).
• Starcraft (1998) is a science-fiction RTS set in the Koprulu sector. It is famous for its three asymmetric factions—Terran, Zerg, and Protoss—and for its highly competitive multiplayer scene, especially in South Korea where it became a national sport.
• Diablo (1996) created the action RPG (ARPG) genre, with its sequel Diablo II (2000) refining the formula with randomized loot, skill trees, and online play. It remains the benchmark for loot-driven games.

How Each Game Plays: What to Expect

Understanding the core loop of each game helps you decide which fits your taste.

Warcraft III: Story + Strategy

Warcraft III is a real-time strategy game where you build a base, gather resources (gold and lumber), train units, and destroy your enemy. What sets it apart are hero units—powerful characters that level up, learn abilities, and carry items. The single-player campaign is exceptional, telling a rich story across four races: Human, Orc, Undead, and Night Elf. The game also has a robust custom map community that gave birth to the MOBA genre (Defense of the Ancients, or DotA).

Starcraft: Pure Competitive Strategy

Starcraft (and its expansion Brood War) is a faster, more balanced RTS. There is no hero unit; you rely on your macro (economy and production) and micro (unit control) skills. The three races are extremely different: Terran are versatile, Zerg are swarm-based and resource-efficient, and Protoss use powerful but expensive units. The single-player campaign is good, but the real draw is multiplayer, where the skill ceiling is enormous. The remastered version (Starcraft: Remastered) preserves the original gameplay with modern graphics.

Diablo II: Loot and Atmosphere

Diablo II is a dungeon crawler. You create a character from one of five classes (plus two more in the expansion), fight through randomly generated dungeons, and collect loot. The gameplay loop is simple: kill monsters, get better gear, kill stronger monsters. It has a dark gothic atmosphere, a memorable soundtrack, and a skill system that allows for many builds. The recent Diablo II: Resurrected is a remaster that keeps the original mechanics with updated visuals.

How to Choose: Which One First?

Your choice depends on what you value most in a game. Here is a quick guide:

• If you want a great story: Start with Warcraft III. Its campaign is cinematic and emotionally engaging, and it introduces you to the world of Azeroth that later games reference.
• If you want competitive multiplayer: Start with Starcraft. Its multiplayer is still active and is considered one of the most balanced RTS games ever made. The learning curve is steep, but the sense of improvement is rewarding.
• If you want a game you can play solo or with friends at your own pace: Start with Diablo II. It is less stressful than an RTS and offers hundreds of hours of loot hunting.
• If you are new to RTS games: Warcraft III is more forgiving than Starcraft because of its hero units and slower pace. It teaches you base-building and unit control without the frantic speed of Starcraft.

Common Problems and How to Overcome Them

Each game has quirks that can frustrate new players.

• Warcraft III: The camera and unit pathfinding can feel dated. Also, the game requires a CD key to install, even the digital version. Solution: Use the modern patch (1.31+) which improves compatibility with current operating systems.
• Starcraft: The difficulty spike in the single-player campaign is real. The later missions require strong multitasking. Solution: Play on “Casualâ€� difficulty first, and use the in-game tips. For multiplayer, start with the “Starcraft IIâ€� co-op mode if you want a gentler entry.
• Diablo II: The inventory system is limited, and you will run back to town often. Also, some builds are much stronger than others, so you might feel underpowered if you don’t follow a guide. Solution: Use the “shared stashâ€� in the Resurrected version, and don’t be afraid to respec (you get a few respecs per difficulty).

Costs and Where to Play

All three games are available on PC (Windows and macOS for some). Here is the current availability (prices vary by region and sales):

• Warcraft III: Reforged (2020) is the current version, which includes the original campaign and a remastered mode. It costs around $30. The classic version is no longer sold separately, but Reforged includes the classic graphics toggle.
• Starcraft: Remastered costs around $15. The original Starcraft and Brood War are also available for free on Blizzard’s website, but the remastered version is the better experience.
• Diablo II: Resurrected costs around $40. The original Diablo II is not sold separately anymore, but you can still find it on CD (though it may have compatibility issues).

All three are available on Blizzard’s Battle.net platform. You do not need a subscription to play them, but you do need an internet connection to install and authenticate.

Safety and Fair Play

When playing online, keep your account secure with two-factor authentication. Blizzard has a code of conduct; avoid cheating, exploiting bugs, or using third-party tools that alter the game. In Diablo II, beware of scams in trading—never give items first in a trade if you are unsure. For RTS games, be aware that some players use map hacks (cheats that reveal the map). Report them to Blizzard. Also, remember to take breaks and stay hydrated—these games are addictive!

Alternatives and Modern Successors

If you enjoy one of these games, here are modern alternatives:

• Warcraft III fans: Try Age of Empires IV for a modern RTS with strong campaigns, or Frostpunk for a strategy survival game.
• Starcraft fans: Starcraft II is the direct sequel and free to play. Other modern RTS games include Company of Heroes 3 and Iron Harvest.
• Diablo II fans: Diablo III and Diablo IV are the direct successors, but many fans also enjoy Path of Exile, which is free and has a similar loot system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play the original games before the sequels?

No, each game is self-contained. You can play Warcraft III without playing Warcraft I or II, and Starcraft II does not require the original Starcraft. However, playing the originals gives you more context for the story.

Which game has the best single-player campaign?

Warcraft III is widely considered to have the best campaign due to its strong storytelling, varied missions, and hero progression. Starcraft’s campaign is also good but more focused on tactics. Diablo II has a campaign, but it is more about replaying for loot than narrative.

Can I play these games on a modern PC?

Yes. All three have remastered or patched versions that run on Windows 10/11. Mac support varies; Starcraft Remastered and Diablo II Resurrected are available on macOS, but Warcraft III Reforged is Windows-only (though it may work with compatibility layers).

Are these games still active online?

Yes. Starcraft Remastered has an active competitive scene, and Diablo II Resurrected has a steady player base. Warcraft III Reforged also has online play, but the community is smaller. You can still find games, especially in custom maps.

Which game is the hardest to master?

Starcraft is the hardest because of its high APM (actions per minute) requirements and the need to multitask. Warcraft III is also challenging but more forgiving due to heroes. Diablo II is the easiest to master mechanically, though optimizing your build can be complex.

Can I play these games with friends?

Yes. All three support online multiplayer. Warcraft III and Starcraft allow co-op in custom games, and Diablo II has co-op for up to 8 players. You can also play Diablo II locally via LAN.

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