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StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm vs StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

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StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmLead the Zerg to dominate the galaxy in Blizzard's iconic RTS expansion.
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void
StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidEpic sci‑fi RTS expansion that crowns the StarCraft saga
Overview
Description

StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm is the third installment of the acclaimed StarCraft II trilogy, focusing on the Zerg queen, Sarah Kerrigan, as she reclaims her power and seeks revenge. The expansion adds a deep single‑player campaign, new units, and extensive multiplayer balance updates. Available on PC and Mac, the game blends fast‑paced real‑time strategy with a rich sci‑fi narrative, offering both solo missions and competitive online modes. With a PEGI 16 / ESRB T rating, it delivers intense warfare for seasoned strategy gamers.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void delivers a climactic conclusion to the iconic trilogy, introducing a robust solo campaign that follows the Protoss as they reclaim their homeworld. The game builds on the polished mechanics of its predecessors while adding new units, abilities, and a refined multiplayer experience. Beyond the story, Legacy of the Void offers endless replayability with co‑op missions, custom map support, and a thriving esports scene, ensuring both newcomers and veterans have a reason to return time and again.

Pricing
Paid (One-time)
Paid (One-time)
Category
Real-Time Strategy
Real-Time Strategy
Best for
RTS fans and competitive gamers
Competitive RTS players
Specifications
Spec source
AI-estimated
AI-estimated
General
msrp
$59.99
$39.9933%
release date
2013-03-12
2015-11-10
Specifications
developer
Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard Entertainment
publisher
Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard Entertainment
age rating
PEGI 16, ESRB T
PEGI 16, ESRB T
multiplayer
Single player, Multiplayer
Single player, Multiplayer
critic score
89/100
90/100+1%
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Deep Zerg‑focused campaign with compelling story.
  • Balanced multiplayer with regular updates.
  • Robust map editor encourages community content.
  • Cross‑platform support for PC and Mac.
  • Deep strategic depth
  • Rich single‑player narrative
  • Strong community support
  • Highly polished multiplayer
Cons
  • Requires the base StarCraft II client to play.
  • High learning curve for new RTS players.
  • Limited single‑player content compared to full game.
  • Steep learning curve for newcomers
  • High system requirements for max settings
  • Limited single‑player replayability after campaign
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

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StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void

Epic sci‑fi RTS expansion that crowns the StarCraft saga

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StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty

Epic sci‑fi RTS where Terran heroes battle the Zerg and Protoss

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StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm

Lead the Zerg to dominate the galaxy in Blizzard's iconic RTS expansion.

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StarCraft: Brood War
StarCraft: Brood War

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The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void offers a richer single‑player campaign and more polished multiplayer at a lower price, while Heart of the Swarm adds Zerg‑focused content but costs more and requires the base client.

Key differences

  • Legacy of the Void includes a 30+ mission Protoss campaign; Heart of the Swarm has a 10‑mission Zerg campaign.
  • Legacy of the Void is priced at $39.99; Heart of the Swarm costs $59.99.
  • Heart of the Swarm requires the base StarCraft II client to play; Legacy of the Void is standalone.
  • Legacy of the Void adds a co‑op commander mode; Heart of the Swarm offers a revamped co‑op for custom missions.
  • Legacy of the Void’s critic score is 90/100 versus 89/100 for Heart of the Swarm.
DimensionWinner

Gameplay & fun factor

Legacy of the Void provides a larger 30+ mission campaign and advanced AI, offering more varied solo fun.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void

Platform availability

Both support PC and Mac cross‑platform matchmaking.

Tie

Price & value

Legacy of the Void costs $39.99, $20 cheaper than Heart of the Swarm’s $59.99.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void

Multiplayer / co‑op

Legacy of the Void includes a dedicated co‑op commander mode and robust ladder system.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void

Content & replayability

Legacy of the Void adds extensive map editor, replay analytics, and a longer campaign than Heart of the Swarm.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void

Difficulty & accessibility

Both have high learning curves and similar difficulty levels for newcomers.

Tie

Graphics & performance

Legacy of the Void targets higher system requirements for max settings, indicating more advanced graphics.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void

Choose StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm if…

Fans who specifically want Zerg‑focused gameplay and already own the base StarCraft II client.

Choose StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void if…

Players wanting the most content, stronger solo experience, and lower cost.

Common questions

Do I need the base StarCraft II client for Legacy of the Void?

No, Legacy of the Void is a standalone expansion.

Which expansion offers more single‑player missions?

Legacy of the Void provides 30+ missions; Heart of the Swarm has 10 missions.

Is there a price advantage to choosing one over the other?

Yes, Legacy of the Void costs $39.99 versus $59.99 for Heart of the Swarm.