Three races (Terran aka Human, Protoss and Zerg), each with it's own strengths and weaknesses, allow you to battle using completely different strategies. Protoss is a Carrier battling race, while the Zergs ability to produce mass amounts of cheap troops allows them to employ rush tactics. The Terrans, being the weaker troops really take a on an edge when you combine their technology together.

Multiplayer (the stuff that matters):
The only reason a game ends up in the LANage Hall of Fame is because of its' strong support for multiplayer, and Starcraft beings home the goods. Starcraft has always been absolutley bullet proof when it comes to multiplayer. Being able to use either TCP/IP (for Internet and LAN) and IPX (for those packet paranoid freaks like myself) makes Starcraft one of the more flexible multiplayer experiences. You can play up to 8 on a lot of the maps. Which is nice when you want to even things out....LOL...I still remember the time Retro and I took on six LANage buds and whipped em good! Especially poor Kanuck who was unfortunate enough to spawn behind Retro and I...needless to say he was the first one to fall to our photon cannon creep.