if there is a game that made RTSs what they are today that game certanly is StarCraft.
Some say that this game did not make blizzard what it is today, that other games they produced gave tham the much deserved reputation but i believe that it was this game that made it all happen. The graphis are out of this world for the year it was done not only in game but also tha cinematics. The races are extremly wel designed and balanced from buildings to costs , untis and abilities. The story is complex and well put to play. I bet you can't say that about other RTS's, an to top it all each unit has a counter from each of the other two races.... Multyplayer is great both fun and chalenging, system reuqirements are very low ( it work well 10 years ago). Almost no bug or bad thing can be poited at this game.