Summary
In an era when game developers often attempt to merge multiple genres into a single game,Homeworld 3is a breath of fresh air. This is a title that knows its roots, and builds on them in a way that results in refined gameplay, delivering classicreal-time strategyaction, with a “just one more mission” kind of addictiveness.
The originalHomeworldwas released over two decades ago, back in the heyday of RTS games. Nothing here is intended to detract from the achievements ofHomeworldandHomeworld 2. They might look a little dated now, but they were at the forefront ofstrategy gamingin their day. However,Homeworld 3is a vast improvement over both titles, and makes numerous improvements in areas where its predecessors struggled.
7Engaging Game Intro And Storyline
Prepare To Be Hooked
WhenHomeworldwas released in 1999, it was competing with iconic RTS games from major developers. Games such asCommand & Conquer: Tiberian Sun,which featured full motion video cutscenes, and leveraged established narrative lore. In comparison, the intro and subsequent storyline ofHomeworldseemed a little weak.
Homeworld 3doesn’t repeat this mistake. From the first few seconds of the intro video, and heading into the campaign, the player is engaged in a way the previous titles never achieved. Almost instantly, the player will begin to empathize with Imogen S’jet and her minions, which they likely never did with Karen S’jet in the original game.
The campaign is similarly more engaging. It has a distinctlyBattlestar Galacticafeel to it. The storyline in the older titles was good, but it never sucked the player in the way thatHomeworld 3’scampaign does.
6Vastly Improved Graphics
It Looks Stunning
Graphically, both of the previousHomeworldgames were pretty good back when they were released. Theremastered versionsfrom 2015 gave them a minor graphical overhaul, but they were showing their age by this point.
Homeworld 3manages to keep the oldHomeworldgraphical flavor, but delivers it using up-to-date technology, with much greater definition. It is still recognizably aHomeworldgame, but it looks and feels up to date with modern visuals. This is most obvious in the level of detail given to mission maps, especially the maps that involve flying a fleet across a vast landscape.
5Simpler Tutorial
Learning Homeworld Used To Be Hard
One of the major attractions of the originalHomeworldgames was their complexity. With the ability to manage everything down to the formation that fleets use, these were not simple games to learn. The problem was exacerbated by the rather rudimentary tutorials included in the older games.
TheHomeworld 3tutorial is much easier to get through, and doesn’t bombard the player with too much information in one data dump. Instead, it teaches the player just enough to get started with the campaign. The campaign then covers more advanced topics at appropriate stages, making the learning process much smoother.
4Engaging Briefings
We Got This
It has already been mentioned that the storyline and campaign in the older games were somewhat weak compared to other RTS games of the time.Homeworld 3fixes this. Prepare to be sucked in by interesting and engaging mission briefings.
The background situation for the mission is explained, the goals defined, and any particular risks or tactical challenges are highlighted. All of this is done with high-quality video cutscenes. The result is that the player becomes invested in the goals of the mission, rather than seeing it as just one more battle to be completed on the road to the end-game.
3Great New War Games Mode
Could Have Been A Standalone Game
Homeworld 3adds a new gameplay mode calledWar Games. This mode is incredibly addictive, and would likely stand up as a standalone game release on its own merits, had it not been included inHomeworld 3. This is a Roguelike string of missions that can be tackled solo or inco-op with a group of friends.
The player levels up based on the experience they earn, and canunlock six different starting fleetsand a whole host of other benefits, such as additional artifacts. Artifacts are special ability unlocks that last through the entire War Game run. They add bonuses such as additional damage for certain ship types, more defenses for the player’s carrier, and much more.
2Simpler Map
Finally, It Makes Sense
Due to the complexity of the older games, the map could often become an overwhelming visual mess. It was very easy to lose concentration and be left staring at the map trying to decide what to do next. Mission targets were not clearly marked, and simply moving around the map to locate units could be a problem for new players.
TheHomeworld 3map has very obviously been reworked to make a lot more sense. Mission objectives are clearly marked, and units are much easier to locate. Furthermore, the way the terrain and other map features are represented is much clearer.
1Slick New UI
By Far The Best Change
Anyone who has played the original games will remember how complicated the user interface was. These are complex games, and the UI needed to be able to accomplish a lot. However, learning the UI took some time, and this, no doubt, stopped some people from enjoying the game past the first few missions.
Homeworld 3has done an amazing job of improving the UI over what was in the older titles. It is entirely different. Players ofStellariswill instantly be able to navigate the new UI, as it is very similar. This has made playing the game much more instinctual and, basically, fun. No more trying to remember what to click to get to a specific fleet option or build queue. Instead, everything is on the screen in one place, and easy to access.
