" If you're really struggling with beating the fourteen-year-old caffeine junkies that populate Battle.net, then leave this one behind. "

      Title: Warcraft III Official Strategy Guide from BradyGames

      Format: PC Game Hint Book

      Reviewing Monkey: Chimpan-A

      The Hype: Warcraft III has topped out the sales charts as another of Blizzards record-breaking hits. Of course, that doesn't make you any better at playing it. Which is why the nice people at BradyGames came out with this book.

      What This Monkey Thought...

      Layout: The book is well organized. Progressing from race information through a walthrough of the single player game and ending with a blurb on multiplayer. I have grown annoyed with the tendency with hint books to use pullout posters to display useful information. This book transgresses by putting down all the actual numbers on a pullout poster. I am annoyed by having to unfold a poster to find the information rather than flip to a page. Otherwise, the layout is great. 4 out of 5

      Usefulness: This book will give you all the strategy you need to make it through the game's four campaigns. The maps tell you where to go and the strategies tell you how to get there. While you're romping through the campaigns, this book will be quite useful. Once you're done though, the book loses almost all usefulness. The book contains a few minor tips for Battle.net, but ultimately this book will not assist you in the slightest in your online conquerings. Being as half the experience of this game is battling other would be commanders online, which lowers the score here considerably. 3 out of 5

      Desired Content: Well, as mentioned above, the book could have more multiplayer tips. Otherwise, the information here is everything one could need while trying to guide Thrall to final victory. 3.5 out of 5

      Accuracy: The strategies work and the enemy is generally where the book says they're going to be. If you need more than that, then you're reaching. They even tell you how to get to the neat secret areas. Of course, no guide based on a real time strategy game (i.e. a game with moving units) can be completely accurate, but these guys put up a good showing. 4.5 out of 5

      The Verdict:

If you're really struggling with the single player game, then this is the book for you. If you're really struggling with beating the fourteen-year-old caffeine junkies that populate Battle.net, then leave this one behind. It will just make them laugh harder when they beat you… little punks…

      The Good: Comprehensive Race info, excellent single player info

      The Bad: Lack of multiplayer info

      The Overall Ugly: You know, I love the orcs and all but… Well, let's just say I'm glad they went with the Night Elf chick.

      What it's Worth: $10.00