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Warcraft III doesn't exactly make any groundbreaking advancements in the RTS genre, it focuses more on perfecting it. Gameplay has remained mostly the same from previous games in the series, with the exception being mainly in the control schemes and unit uniqueness. Don't take this game for just another clone, though. It's one of the best out there, so pay attention.
Four completely different sides are included in this version, and each one is so diverse from the other that it's almost like playing four different games altogether. The Orcs and Humans make an appearance, as well as the Undead and Night Elves. The entire collection of units isn't limited to just these playable sides, though. There are many native units scattered around each battlefield, and you can even purchase universal units at mercenary camps.
A completely new addition to the series is the heroes. Each side has three different heroes, one focused on magic, one on strength, and one somewhere in between. Heroes are mission-critical during the Single player modes, but in multiplayer they can help lead your troops into battle from the front lines. If they fall in battle, however, they'll cost a pretty penny to get them back into action.
Most other elements are pretty much what we've seen before. All sides gather two main resources, gold and wood, but each has its own method, and the workers don't just gather resources. We no longer see worthless worker drones, as the lowest level unit now has a way to bite back. Human peasants can be turned into militia, Orc peons can enter defensive buildings and shoot at attackers, Night Elf wisps can detonate themselves, and the Undead's workers are their lowest basic soldiers. Again, nothing amazing, but definitely different from the rest.
Most of the Single Player missions are basic kill the enemy scenarios, with only a few exceptions. Of course, if all that gets old, there is always plenty of Skirmish maps and the growing Battle.Net, where you can duke it out with other humans. There are even more variations on maps on the Internet than in the Skirmish mode, extending the replay value of Warcraft III greatly.