Blizzard announced today it plans to release StarCraft 2 mission packs called Nova Covert Ops which will keep players engaged after Legacy of the Void is released. The launch trailer for the game as well as a video for the mission packs are both below.
- Nova Covert Ops Night Terrors
- Starcraft Ii Nova Covert Ops Fshare Download
- Starcraft Ii Nova Covert Ops Fshare 3
The Road Ahead
Blizzard said its goal for StarCraft players in 2016 was to provide more content post Legacy of the Void for both single and multiplayer modes.
Nova Covert Ops Night Terrors
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New post-release content in the form of mission packs, new co-op missions, new commanders, and more are in the works. Some will be free and others will not.
More unit skins, as well as voice packs will be released, with the latter enabling players to substitute different voices for the in-game advisor.
Improvements to the arcade experience are in the planning stages as well.
Co-op missions will receive more support in 2016 through new missions and new commanders. The protoss Phase-Smith Karax is just one of the planned additions coming to the roster.
Nova Covert Ops
Nova Covert Ops are three packs which contain three missions each for a total of nine. Each will pack will be released episodically and take place after the events of Legacy of the Void.
According to the description, the Terran Dominion, led by Emperor Valerian, is attempting “to recover from the civil wars and zerg attacks that have ravaged their civilization.” The story focuses on Nova and her involvement with a group of terran separatists known as the “Defenders of Man.”
Nova will be directly controlled in each mission and supported by the Terran Dominion, including a special black ops version of the typical terran army.
The missions will also feature new gear and load-out features. Since the ability to acquire and equip different weapons and gadgets can “dramatically change how you play through the mission,” this should encourage players to go back to each with different load-outs.
The first mission pack will be released in early 2016.
Multiplayer Features and Ladder Revamp
Blizzard said it will continue to improve and expand the current ladder system, automated tournaments, and “general multiplayer balance.”
With the ladder revamp, ranks will feel “feel meaningful” with increased accuracy and transparency. A separate rankings for terran, protoss, and zerg and possibly separate rankings for both ranked and unranked ladders are planned.
The developer also want to increase the automated number tournaments such as Archon and 2v2 tournaments. It also wants to add the option for players to make private tournaments.
For competitive multiplayer, the team will be exploring other large scale changes, and will be looking to the community to help “bring out the best ideas into StarCraft 2” – even if it includes completely new units.
StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void launches on November 10. Server times are listed over on Battle.net.
publisher : Blizzard Entertainment
Game mode: single player
StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops is a PC collection of DLCs to the StarCraft II trilogy consisting of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, released in 2010, and its two standalone expansions: Heart of the Swarm (2013) and Legacy of the Void (2015). Developed by the creators of the original game, the legendary Blizzard Entertainment, Nova Covert Ops offers three separate DLC packs, which, interestingly, do not require owning any of the previous installments of StarCraft II. In order to play them you need StarCraft II Starter Edition, i.e. a free game edition that offers a couple of solo missions and a very limited version of multiplayer.
Story
StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops is set after the events of the last part in the trilogy, StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. Terrans are trying to rebuild their Empire, worn down after numerous civil wars and constant attacks of the Zerg. The story focuses on a character known from previous installments – an agent of the Ghosts squad, named November „Nova” Terra. As the game proceeds, the protagonist has to take on a dangerous group of separatists called the Defenders of Man and ensure the safety of Emperor Mengsk.
Game modes
Unlike the original game, where one of the key game elements was the expanded multiplayer mode, the collection of DLCs StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops for PC offers no online gameplay. Each of the three DLC packs includes three extensive missions, which amounts to nine brand new levels designed solely for single player.
Game score 7.35 / 10 calculated out of 50 players' votes.
Expectations before the premiere: 8.8 / 10 calculated out of 11 players' votes.
Similar games:
System requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Intel Core i5 3.3 GHz/AMD FX-4300 3.8, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 650/Radeon HD 7790 or better, Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
Minimum: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.20 GHz/AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ 2.9 GHz, 2 GB RAM, graphic card 256 MB GeForce 7600/Radeon HD 2600 XT or better, Windows XP/Vista/7/8
Minimum: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.20 GHz/AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ 2.9 GHz, 2 GB RAM, graphic card 256 MB GeForce 7600/Radeon HD 2600 XT or better, Windows XP/Vista/7/8
StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops | |
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Developer(s) | Blizzard Entertainment |
Publisher(s) | Blizzard Entertainment |
Designer(s) | Jason Huck |
Writer(s) | Valerie Watrous |
Series | StarCraft |
Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, macOS |
Release |
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Genre(s) | Real-time strategy |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops are downloadable content (DLC) single-player mission packs to the military science fictionreal-time strategy game StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. Consisting of nine missions, it was released over the course of three installments as DLC, with three missions each.[1] The first mission pack was released March 29, 2016, the second mission pack released on August 2, 2016 and the final mission pack was released on November 22, 2016.[2][3]
The plot focuses on the aftermath of StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void, set sometime after its conclusion in 2508. The protagonist is the psionic operative Nova, a character first announced in 2002 as the lead character of the cancelled game StarCraft: Ghost. Nova's first appearance in a StarCraft game was as the central controllable unit of the StarCraft II mission 'Ghost of a Chance', but was introduced officially to the lore in comics and novels. Previously visited themes and locations including those from the original StarCraft are included.
Gaming media commented that the mission packs were a proxy for the cancelled StarCraft: Ghost [4], though Blizzard denied that the unreleased story of the game factored a great deal into Covert Ops' storyline. The mission pack is centred around Nova, offering several strategies and customisation such as stealth and mobility, similar to what StarCraft: Ghost intended.
- 2Synopsis
- 2.3Plot
Gameplay[edit]
Nova Covert Ops is focused around the hero unit of Nova, similar to Kerrigan in StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. However, a greater deal of exclusivity and choice is present in Nova's customisation, in comparison to the more diverse and cumulative paths of Kerrigan. New technology and weaponry are available for Nova and other units to unlock, although these are sometimes unlocked automatically or after enough missions. However, Nova cannot acquire levels like Kerrigan, and her abilities are determined by equipment choices. The mission pack places a greater emphasis on tactics but retains the base building mechanics of StarCraft.[5]
In line with the add-on nature of the mission pack, it is smaller in scale than the predecessor campaigns -- the campaign is completely linear, and inter-mission content restricted to non-interactive cutscenes and static UI. However, some of the features from the previous campaigns of StarCraft II remain; more than the first StarCraft's inter-mission content being cutscenes and briefing rooms. Television broadcasts and other flavour text exists.
Synopsis[edit]
Setting[edit]
The setting of Covert Ops takes place in a Dominion ruled by Valerian Mengsk, who seeks to rule in a manner less tyrannical than his late father, Arcturus. Mirroring the original StarCraft, dissent has begun to take hold. The Zerg have begun to attack again. After what is seen as ineffective responses by the Dominion government, people lend their support to the newly formed Defenders of Man group. The mission pack takes place in a variety of settings, from isolated, obscure worlds, to the capital of Terran space, Korhal. Several systems and planets reoccur, such as the Tyrador system and Antiga Prime.
Characters[edit]
Covert Ops refers extensively to events and characters explored out of the games. The protagonist is Nova Terra, whose aristocratic background led to her crossing paths with the primary antagonist, Carolina Davis, long before the events of the mission pack. Several recurring characters from StarCraft II appear, as well as minor characters from the comics. Nova has become less ruthless from her days as a brainwashed agent of Arcturus Mengsk, and granted more autonomy. Another character is the newly introduced Reigel, a former archaeologist/scientist who advises and assists Nova.
Plot[edit]
Covert Ops marks Nova's first appearance since StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm in 2013, having not made in appearance in the series since then. Having been loyal to the Emperor of the Dominion Arcturus Mengsk, upon his death, her loyalty transferred to his successor, Valerian. After a few years of peace, the Zerg have become openly aggressive in the Korpulu Sector.
Chapter I[edit]
The campaign takes place a few years after the epilogue of Legacy of the Void. Nova Terra, along with her fellow Terran Dominion ghosts Stone, Delta Emblock, and Theodore Pierce had all been captured by an organization called the Defenders of Man, ostensibly formed as a defence against the new Zerg attacks. They manage to escape the compound they were being held in, but Nova gets split up from her fellow ghosts.[6] After escaping Sharpsburg, she is detained by Terran Dominion forces and taken to the planet of Borea. It is there that she meets up with Admiral Matt Horner. He tells her that she had gone missing in action, says there was evidence showing she was working with the Defenders of Man, and that she is wanted for treason. Horner has been skeptical of the accusations, and after the base is assaulted by feral zerg, Horner asks Nova to aid them. Nova agrees, and with her aid the terran base is able to survive until a fleet of terran ships arrives. The arriving terran fleet is not, however, the Terran Dominion fleet showing up to save them as they had expected; it is the Defenders of Man fleet.[7] Gmod spider man mod.
Matt and Nova escape and meet up with Emperor Valerian Mengsk. Valerian meets with Nova, and gives her a new command ship, as well as her own Covert Ops Crew. He also puts a new weapons and technology specialist, Reigel, under her command, who attempts to reactivate the memories she had lost while working for the Defenders of Man. The device shows her the ruins of her home Tarsonis. Nova, Reigel and her Covert Ops Crew head to Tarsonis. After securing the perimeter, Nova infiltrates the Defenders of Man base. The Defenders of Man notice her, and activate a psi emitter in their own base. Nova continues further, and discovers that the Defenders of Man were luring zerg to civilian worlds to discredit Emperor Valerian Mengsk, and are now planning to have a civilian world destroyed to prove the new regime's weakness.[8]
Chapter II[edit]
Arriving at the planet, known as Tyrador IX, Nova's forces encounter the Zerg, which were lured there by the Defenders of Man. They also encounter the Tal'darim, who are attacking the Defenders of Man on the planet. Nova repels the alien presence from the planet despite the high civilian casualties.[9] After the battle, Nova encounters Highlord Alarak of the Tal'darim. Alarak makes a deal with Nova, showing her the location of Terrazine gas, located on the planet Jarban Minor, which will be able to restore her memories. In exchange, Nova will provide Alarak with the Defenders of Man. Alarak reveals the Defenders attacked a Tal'darim outpost and he seeks retribution.
On Jarban Minor, Nova comes into conflict again with the Tal'darim, led by First Ascendant Jinara. Nova manages to defeat Jinara's forces and gather Terrazine.[10] Using some of it, she realises that the planet of Antiga Prime is of importance, the first planet that the Dominion (at the time the Sons of Korhal) used the Zerg as tools in the original StarCraft. On Antiga Prime, she discovers that she was used unwittingly to facilitate a Zerg invasion of the planet, overrunning it. She learns that the Defenders of Man is led by Dominion general Carolina Davis.[11] Meanwhile, Valerian contacts General Davis, informing her that he wishes to step down as Emperor.
Chapter III[edit]
Valerian creates a plan with Nova, using his abdication as bait. While Valerian is giving a speech, Nova infiltrates Davis' compound, encountering her now mind-wiped team, and a brainwashed Stone. After incapacitating Stone, Nova captures Davis. Valerian then reveals her treachery to the Dominion just as Alarak arrives with the Death Fleet. The Defenders of Man, unaware of Davis' true motives, rejoin the Dominion and repel the Death Fleet with Nova's help. However, Davis escapes her captivity and slips away on a transport.
Nova traces Davis to the Cerros Shipyards, where the Dominion's Gorgon-class battlecruisers are being repaired. Davis powers up an experimental war machine called the Xanthos to destroy the fleet and cripple Valerian's ability to retaliate. With assistance from Admiral Horner, Nova deploys to the shipyard and eventually destroys Davis' remaining forces and the Xanthos itself. Nova boards the crippled war machine, locating Davis and kills her, against Valerian's orders. Nova then flees aboard the Griffin, taking her forces too as they are loyal to her and not the Dominion. Nova resolves to fight the Dominion's enemies on her own terms, acting beyond the command structure.
Aboard the Bucephalus, Valerian and Horner watch a newsfeed showing the fallout from Davis' actions. The newsfeed shows that public opinion has gone back to Valerian, and Davis' death has been widely accepted as necessary force. Horner asks Valerian what they should do about Nova, but Valerian says they should let her go. Meanwhile, Nova's ship warps off into the Sector.
Development[edit]
In the aftermath of Legacy of the Void, it was decided that a return to the Terran perspective was natural. The story was designed to be in contrast to the StarCraft II campaigns; ones that were seen as great in scope -- with it becoming smaller in scale and grittier, evocative of the original StarCraft. Several plot-points in Covert Ops were mirrors of the original StarCraft, including rebellion and the use of devices to control the Zerg. A focal point of the mission pack is to distinguish between Nova and Kerrigan, drawing similarities and differences between the two; as the two were former brainwashed Ghosts, and the two greatest human psionics. James Waugh noted that an important element of the story is choice -- bringing up another similarity to Kerrigan, in their defections from the Mengsk family.
The writer of Legacy of the Void, James Waugh, serves as the story director for Nova Covert Ops; Valerie Watrous, a co-writer on Legacy of the Void, serves as the primary writer. Nova Covert Ops is intended to demonstrate Blizzard's transition into releasing more frequent content.[12]
The background lore of Covert Ops was extensively developed in the years before it, including novels and comics revolving around the eponymous character.
Nova's story was succeeded by the novel StarCraft:Evolution, [13]|title=StarCraft</ref> which was published after it in 2016. In addition, the story of Nova: Covert Ops was directly followed by the StarCraft: Shadow Wars series, including Nova and Reigel.
Reception[edit]
Starcraft Ii Nova Covert Ops Fshare Download
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The mission packs have generally had a mixed reaction. The sound content of the mission packs, the voice acting and music in specific, were consistently praised. The reception of the mission designs were mixed; with some reviewers believing they were sporadic in quality. In contrast, the story and length of the missions were generally ill-received. Nova's fan favourite status and the proxy of Covert Ops for StarCraft: Ghost were consistently addressed.
IGN noted that the story of the first two-mission packs felt poorly executed and the length too short.[20][21]
Gaming Trend criticised the staggered release of the mission packs, and also noted the declining quality of the uniqueness of missions, while praising the voice acting, cutscenes and soundtrack. [22]
Destructoid commented on Covert Ops' drawing point being Nova and praised the customisation features but criticising the story. [23]
References[edit]
- ^'GS News Update: Blizzard Say Warcraft 4 And StarCraft 3 Development 'Depends On the Players''.
- ^'Nova Covert Ops'.
- ^'Third and final mission for pack StarCraft 2's Nova Covert Ops due November 22'. PC Gamer.
- ^https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-03-31-starcraft-2s-nova-covert-ops-is-the-closest-well-get-to-vapourware-royalty
- ^'Patch 3.2 Preview: Nova Covert Ops - Mission Pack 1'. Blizzard Entertainment.
- ^Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II. PC. Level/area: Nova: Covert Ops, mission 1: 'The Escape'.
- ^Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II. PC. Level/area: Nova: Covert Ops, mission 2: 'Sudden Strike'.
- ^Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II. PC. Level/area: Nova: Covert Ops, mission 3: 'Enemy Intelligence'.
- ^Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II. PC. Level/area: Nova: Covert Ops, mission 4: 'Trouble in Paradise'.
- ^Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II. PC. Level/area: Nova: Covert Ops, mission 5: 'Night Terrors'.
- ^Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II. PC. Level/area: Nova: Covert Ops, mission 6: 'Flashpoint'.
- ^Megan Farokhmanesh (November 6, 2015). 'StarCraft: The past, present and future'. Polygon. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
- ^Megan Farokhmanesh (November 6, 2015). 'StarCraft: The past, present and future'. Polygon. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
- ^'StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops Reviews at Metacritic'. Metacritic. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^Hafer, TJ (May 4, 2016). 'Review: STARCRAFT 2: NOVA COVERT OPS MISSION PACK 1 REVIEW'. IGN. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^Carter, Chris (2016-29-03). 'StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops Mission Pack 1 Review'. Destructoid. Retrieved 2019-06-10.Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^Hafer, TJ (August 4, 2016). 'Review: STARCRAFT 2: NOVA COVERT OPS MISSION PACK 2 REVIEW'. IGN. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^Carter, Chris (August 2, 2016). 'Review: StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops - Mission Pack 2 + Mission Pack 3'. Destructoid.Text 'https://www.destructoid.com/review-starcraft-ii-nova-covert-ops-mission-pack-2-378266.phtml ' ignored (help); Missing or empty
|url=
(help);|access-date=
requires|url=
(help) - ^Carter, Chris (August 2, 2016). 'Review: StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops - Mission Pack 2 + Mission Pack 3'. Destructoid.Text 'https://www.destructoid.com/review-starcraft-ii-nova-covert-ops-mission-pack-2-378266.phtml ' ignored (help); Missing or empty
|url=
(help);|access-date=
requires|url=
(help) - ^TJ Hafer (April 5, 2016). 'StarCraft 2: Nova Covert Ops Mission Pack 1 Review'. IGN. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
- ^TJ Hafer (April 5, 2016). 'StarCraft 2: Nova Covert Ops Mission Pack 2 Review'. IGN. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^https://gamingtrend.com/reviews/out-of-sight-out-of-mind-starcraft-2-nova-covert-ops-dlc-2-review/
- ^https://www.destructoid.com/review-starcraft-ii-nova-covert-ops-mission-pack-2-378266.phtml
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to StarCraft II. |
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=StarCraft_II:_Nova_Covert_Ops&oldid=901317069'
Posted byTerran3 years ago
Archived
I would consider myself an 'amateur' at Starcraft having played maybe half the campaign and extensive custom games (do not have LoTV, so am pretty much stuck to custom).
In any case, I was wondering if the new Nova: Covert Ops is worth the $14.99, which I understand consists of 9 singleplayer missions. Additionally, is the $14.99 a pre-order special (is the complete package $22.49 after release?) and, if not, are the in-game rewards any good?
Or am I better off investing a further $25 for Legacy of the Void? Thanks for you help!
13 comments
Midnight club 3 pc download rar. The Warp Prism, the trademark Protoss air transport, now has the ability to pick up units at a longer, safe range, but still must get on point to unload any cargo or deploy its psionic field utilized to warp-in Protoss units.As for new units, the Protoss receive the Adept, a Gateway / Warp Gate unit which excels against light class units like the Terran Marine or Zerg Hydralisk and can use 'Psionic Transfer', creating a psionic copy of the unit to which the Adept teleports after a few seconds, favoring hit-and-run tactics.For new units, the Terrans receive the Cyclone, a Factory-built unit that uses its missile launcher system to lock on to targets and fire at both ground and air targets while moving, similar to the Protoss Phoenix.For new units, the Zerg receive the Ravager, an evolution from Roaches (akin to Lurkers from Hydralisks and Banelings from Zerglings) and can use a 'Corrosive Bile' special ability that acts like 'focused artillery', focusing a specific location and dealing damage to anything it hits, including air units.