So StarCraft II has been AMAZING so far!

Current Points: 605
Most Used Race: Protoss
Last Match: Win
Last Achievement: Opening Gambit: Bronze

I played through the original and expansion back in the day, and didnt feel like I missed a step anywhere. Even during the install screen, a complete [not as detailed] overview (in pictures, words, and a voice) of the first game and expansion fills you in on what has happened, and even a little more (Sarah Kerrigan and Jim Raynor never hooked up in SC, he just constantly hit on her).

Beginners dont start off behind, unless they jump right into multiplayer. There is a tutorial option, and when you go to multiplayer, there is a practice league, of [no more than] 50 unranked games.

Playing through the campaign makes you feel really comfortable with the Terran, until you realize that half of the upgrades and units are only available during the campaign....