Hyperion Preview
With the launch of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty right around the corner, blizzard has decided to unveil a bit more of the single player component, specifically how Raynor’s base of operations, the Hyperion, plays into it.
Armory
According to Blizzard’s preview, there are three main areas of the Hyperion that will drive unique gameplay options, the first of which being the armory. Rory Swann heads up the armory and is constantly working on new technology to outfit your units with. After acquiring credits through the completion of missions and side missions, you’ll be able to purchase a wide array of upgrades such as stimpacks and combat shields for marines.
It is important to keep in mind that these upgrades are entirely separate from the multiplayer game and often times units and abilities vary wildly.
Cantina
In addition to using credits to purchase upgrades for your units, you can also purchase mercenary contracts. Once mercenary contracts are purchased, you can use in-game currency (minerals and vespene gas) to purchase mercenary units. Depending on the contracts purchased, you’ll be able to mix and match mercenaries as you see fit.
When you access the mercenary feature you’ll be presented with a screen that shows the available units for hire. There are a few things to keep in mind about mercenaries that set them apart from your typical units:
- Mercenary Type: In the Mercenary screen, you’ll be able to see which mercenaries are available to you at that moment in your campaign.
- Squad Size: Mercenaries deploy in preset squad sizes; there’s a limit to how many squads can be called down during each mission.
- Vitals: The mercenary’s vitals are displayed in the unit overview pane, allowing you to gauge how much life and additional power each unit has.
- Cost: Each mercenary has a specific cost. These special units don’t come cheap, but if you keep pulling off jobs, you’ll be able to have the best of the best by your side at a moment’s notice.
While mercenaries don’t come cheap, they can come in handy when you’re in a pinch.
Laboratory
Egon Stetmann is the one who heads up the Laboratory on the Hyperion. Between his genius and collecting special items on the ground, you’ll gain access to a number of significant improvements to your weapon systems and tactical abilities. By completing bonus objectives you’ll acquire research points which can be spent on upgrades. Upgrades range from special units/buildings such as the Perdition turret which is a concealed turret that spits out flame (sounds familiar to a structure from the original StarCraft) to structure upgrades such as refineries not requiring SCVs to harvest vespene.
With all the various upgrades and the methods for obtaining them, we’re looking at a many more gameplay elements than what we’ve seen previously in RTS games and we’re pretty sure its not going to disappoint.
Check out the site on the StarCraft II website here.
I’m sure the gameplay will turn out to be stupendous!