It has finally happened: the original WarCraft and WarCraft II are legitimately available digitally for the first time in a new WarCraft bundle on GOG, coming on the heels of GOG's understanding with Blizzard that saw the release of the original Diablo on March 7th. GOG seems to have seen the value in offering versions of the classic games which were foolishly dismissed as "just not that fun anymore" by none other than Blizzard a couple of years ago.
Thankfully there are people who do think they are fun, and while WarCraft: Orcs & Humans does look quite a bit more dated than WarCraft II (this author's favorite of the series), they are most certainly worth replaying on modern systems – and for $15 you can do it legally (and without the hassle of configuring DOSBox, etc.). The included version of WarCraft II is the Battle.net Edition, and GOG's says it has been updated "with a number of fixes to provide full compatibility with modern machines as well as hi-resolution support and upscaling".
From GOG.com:
"In anticipation of the upcoming 25th anniversary of Warcraft, we brought you the real-time strategy classics that started it all Warcraft: Orcs and Humans and Warcraft II Battle.net Edition, including both the original Tides of Darkness and the Beyond the Dark Portal expansion. Starting today, players can once again explore these universe-defining games as they become available digitally and DRM-free for the first time ever!
Warcraft: Orcs & Humans takes players back to the original battle for Azeroth, challenging players to pick a side and raise an army of human or orcs capable of bringing ruin to their enemies. Warcraft IIand its expansion take the battle to the high seas with a host of naval units, and introduces more of the races that make up the Alliance and the Horde, bolstering the human and orc forces with elves, trolls, dwarves, and more.
The first part of the legendary series plays and feels just like the original from 1994, it’s just updated to run flawlessly on modern operating systems. Warcraft II Battle.net Edition, similarly to the release of first Diablo on GOG.COM, comes in two versions, which players will choose from the launcher. The classic one allows for the authentic experience and a fully functional multiplayer with Blizzard’s Battle.net online gaming service. The updated version comes with a number of fixes to provide full compatibility with modern machines as well as hi-resolution support and upscaling."
Pcper:go buy Warcraft 1 and
Pcper:go buy Warcraft 1 and 2
Me: Zug Zug