Homeworld

The Good
Story: The people of the planet Kharak live in question of their existance, don't we all. The planet is goverened by several Clans, these clans have only settled down from war as their planet is becoming unstable and they must leave. An malfunctioned satelite finds a large deposit of metal in the Great Desert and an team is sent in to look at it. The first civilisation, built around a large ship has been discovered, they are aliens to this world. Inside the ship a crude map, etched onto a black stone with a word that any clan knows, Hiigara - Home. A large mothership is built to send them across the stars to home, the ship is controlled by a Karen Sejet, who is fleet command. They set off on their first mission, only to find that the ship assigned to repair their hyperdrive system has been destroyed and the mothership gets ambushed, they return to fix the mothership. Apon arrival back home they find their planet destroyed, and the only hope they have of living is to go home.

Menu: Simple but smart looking menu, and a pop up bar on the bottom of the game window controls the different centers.

Sound: Brilliant. Random chatter from the squadron of pilots in their scouts during battles "Flank left, keep the home fires coming, they're toast" Wepons sounds are good as well, from the sizzle of the Ion cannons, to the ping pow of the gattling guns from the scouts. Music is stunning, over 20 different tracks, inculding a theme song sung and written by Yes.

Graphics: In the past all space must be black....right...Homeworld breaks this rule in style, glossy, wonderful eyecandy backgrounds with the light center of the galaxy changes each mission so you get closer each time you continue. The ships themselves are incredible, they look dirty, mishapened, very industrial as well, this makes the "unskilled workmen" story more realistic. The mothership is great, with flashing beacons and all. Smaller ships leave a wake of jet vapor that slowly fades away, making nice patterns in the sky when underfire. Explosions are brilliant, ships start burning then explode in pieces or just vanish in smoke depending on what ship or weapon is used. Bullet marks show the bullets hitting the craft as well.

Gameplay: The is one of the first 3D RTS. It handles well, the 3D camera is controlled with the mouse and it is a marvel, easy to use as well. Ships are moved with a "pizza slice" style range, a large circle shows the maxium a ship can move in the proportions of the screen, want to move further, then use the sensors and you can travel the distance of the map. A.I is brilliant, the little ships learn as they get better at fighting, and killing. The larger ones start knowing when to fire and where to get a better effect so constant care and repair of your ships help give you a better army. Speaking of army Homeworld is the only game where you store your current troops from the last mission, the whole game just flows, the only changes are when your ships get repaired, and that is better than having to send out repair corvettes. The difficulty is scaling as well, start out a level with a fleet big enough to beat anyone, the computer will throw in more to stop you. Units are interesting as well, anything (But the Mothership) can be captured and chagned to your side. There are also cloaking ships and gravity wells that halt hyperspace jumps.

The Bad
The graphics looked a bit too messy from close up, and the maps are a bit boring with not much to avoid. But apart from that this game rules.

The Bottom Line
One of the best RTS ever, play it and learn all the tips.

The Good
This is the best game I 've ever played. The screens are beautiful and are so surreal. The mothership is home and the battles to keep her are awesome. If you buy the game, you get Prima's Official Strategy Guide. It's a must to not only stay alive, but to learn the tactics for every ship in the fleet.

The Bad
I love the game, but some could consider it very time consuming. It could take some players months to reach the Homeworld. Be ready to spend hours to learn the strategy and tactics.

The Bottom Line
It's worth the money, ten fold. The 3D's are the greatest. You will see why Homeworld was game of the year.

The Good
Homeworld is a RTS game that doesn't play like an RTS game. Skipping the standard-build base, mine resources, build army, kill enemy- order of events; Homeworld creates a unique RTS experience by running the player through a continuous series of missions that arc over course of the game. Your fleet remains intact from mission to mission (barring ships destroyed in combat), and as the game progresses you steadily gain power, as do the enemies you face. This approach, along with Homeworld's revolutionary 3-D space movement system and the ship AI make it a top notch RTS game that is engrossing and very enjoyable to play.

The Bad
However, the game is not without its faults. The 3-D movement interface has a large learning curve so don't expect to get good at it until 2-3 missions into the game. Additionally there is very little differentiation between the two "sides" you can play. Ship design differs radically but actual ship capabilities, weapons and systems are virtually identical except for a few not very effective "special" ships that are unique to one of the two alien races.

The Bottom Line
This game is a real time strategy game set in space. It combines elements of campaign based strategy games with the RTS gameplay features of resource collection, technology research and fleet construction.

The Good
Homeworld is certainly unique in its approach - a realtime strategy game, set in a true 3D environment. In order to survive in this game, one must abandon the conventional 2D thinking involved with most RTS games. The game maps are set in large cubes, instead of a flat map - enemies can, and often do, attack from above and below. Intelligent resource management is also key - quite often, you only have just enough resources in a given mission to build what you need.

The graphics are quite crisp, the music is wonderful, and the voice acting is also very well done, while at times a bit emotionless (although I believe this to be intentional).

There is also a very extensive backstory and plot to this game - while a bit on the thick side, the backstory in the manual is well worth a read in its entirety.

And my favorite part? Large battles in space - the ships move smoothly through their formations, and combined with the ambiant music the battles become more of a well-orchestrated dance, than a fierce dogfight.

The Bad
At times, managing enormous fleets can get a bit cumbersome; keeping track of all of your units at all times can be a bit of a challenge.

Also, some missions had rather obvious "triggers" - i.e., you complete a certain action, which triggers an attack that you're (usually) unprepared for. But to its credit, even an overwhelming battle can be won with the proper strategy.

The 3D interface can be a bit frustrating at times to the new player, but the tutorial explains the game world very well. The initial learning curve may deter some casual players, but it doesn't take long to become accustomed to it.

The Bottom Line
This game will grab onto you, pull you in, and refuse to let go.

The Good
Being the first 3d RTS released by Sierra, the game looks too good, and too well done. At first the 3d graphics, although made in Open GL , looks really great. The game mechanics are really clear, the interface is really easy to master. In the pack you will recieve: 1. Training stage to help you understand the controls 2. A well built single player campaign, with over 21 missions, good story line and "keep your forces with you" feature, that will make your fleet move with you from stage to stage. 3. One of the most comprehensive and optional multiplayer. Includes skirmish,LAN and internet (via WON) play. Each game can be adjusted: how much cash will you have, research tree, how many computer players, what will be their AI, which map will you use, what type of game, will harvesting be allowed, will there be money injected, and many many more.

This game rocks the house!

The Bad
Can I say nothing ? Oh, yeah, the fact that there is a sequel coming out soon .

The Bottom Line
A 3d RTS in space.

The Good
This is what has to be the 1999 game of the year. Not often is it that a game like this comes along. After playing so many other stratgey games it is good to not see another Clone and Conquer game. Onto Homeworld. First of all the graphics in this game do what they are intended to do, show you in detail battles in space. And they do a good job of it. From the engine trails on scouts to ion cannons cutting ships in half, I found eye candy galore. Good sound dosen't hurt a game either, and Homeworld has some of the best. All of the battle sounds fit perfectly and the music seems to fit, although some people may disagree. Gameplay is great, the computer AI makes fairly smart moves and makes good use of formations. Formations are one of features I really liked in this game. They help provide well rounded attacks. Although the controls may take a little getting used to, once down, they work very well. I say bravo Relic and Sierra, keep up the good work.

The Bad
What some users may find hard about this game is the control system, but once through the tutorial anyone can be a Homeworld veteran.

The Bottom Line
People throw away Tiberian Sun, put Starcraft on the shelf, a new kid is in town, it goes by the name of Homeworld and it will rock your world.

The Good
The tutorial makes learning the interface a snap...When I heard of the game, the first thing I thought was that they couldn't pull it off becuase it would be difficult managing in 3-D...but they did it, and just spending the few short minutes in the tutorial can familiaize you with the interface fast...

The unit balance of the game is good...even in the late game process, you still have to build basic units and each ship class has its disadvantages and its strong points...

The single player campaigns are extremely well scripted...the ingame scripts makes the game very interesting, but doesn't interefere with the game play...

The idea is fresh...In a desert of no end of C&C clones, this is one hell of an oasis...

The graphics is detailed to the point that you can see the engine trails of a scout, or the tractor beams of a salvage corvett...zoom in to see every little detail on the ship, or zoom out to control your whole fleet...the camera control is extremely easy to master...

Brilliant control scheme...you can basically play the whole game with a mouse...Homeworld allows you to command an armada with a mouse wheel and two buttons...

Everything from formations, to rules of engagement, Homeworld provides a large amount of tactics for RTS fans

The Bad
I tried as hard as I could but could only find two bad things about this game...

The two sides are almost the same, with the exception of two units...As different as they may look, they are still all do the same thing...This doesn't take away anything from the game, but just lacks the depth in that area that Starcraft revolutionized

With wonderfully scripted missions in single player, it would have been nice if a editor was included in the game, so that more missions and maps can be created, as the single player campaigns were a little too short...

The Bottom Line
Tired of C&C clones? Homeworld is leading a revolution in RTS gaming, space combat has never been so entertaining...

The Good
I loved the graphics, sound, music, gameplay and all of that, but what really hit me was the fact that the underlying story line was fresh and interesting. The game manual has tons of background information about the Kushan and their discovery of Hiigara. If you have the game, but ignored the manual, go read it now...if you don't have the game yet, and are an RTS/Sci-Fi fan, get it now, and RTFM. Having a story that draws you into the game makes the single-player missions even more enjoyable.

The Bad
The races aren't exactly diverse...but I'd say that's a minor concern.

The Bottom Line
Real time strategy unlike anything you've ever played before in terms of story, graphics, sound, and gameplay.

The Good
The idea of a fully-three dimensional real time strategy game is, in and of itself, a bold and innovative idea. The concept of using outer space isn't difficult to foresee,then, considering this was what Relic wanted to go for, regardless of whether or not this relegates the Kushan as humanoids in their perception of space-time.

The implementation of rule sets that are both deep and yet possible to master are what make this idea worth playing. The research mechanic is shallow, resource gathering and production are centralised. But then, what they lack in immediate complexity, they return with bringing focus to the one thing no one could see without going back to those Star Wars films that were about two decades old (for the one that came out that year was the one no one wants to speak fondly about). And even those were based on the mercy of the once-hailed but now-maligned director.

The eerie feeling that you are standing at the edge of a never-ending abyss is always there. Maybe it is the claustrophobic soundtrack that gives you a glimpse of how small you really are. Maybe it is how long it takes for you to get to the land that was yours, each landing having a boundary of a 1000 kilometres at the very least. Maybe it is the Kushan meeting on the way to your land those who could not come with you and see what became of them. Maybe it is all of them, none of them and everything in between.

You are the Kushan. You are hunted by the largest empire in the known universe. And you are alone. Mostly.

The Bad
Its past and its future. Make no mistake, this game is not a Star Wars battle simulator, for that is all its screenshots would impress upon those who would remember them, whether they would like to or not. This game became a niche title, played now by those who do not necessarily flock to Lord PewDiePie and his enviable ability to provide consumable opinions to over 25 million people with one video.

It is not Star Wars and it is not part of the RTS canon of StarCraft and Total War.

The Bottom Line
Homeworld was the first true indicator of what Relic, and the video game industry in general, could do to create works of art. The combination of music that questions the notion of secure presence in any physical space just by the use of background sounds, tactical combat that subtly tells you that your units have a mind inside of them and the systemisation of the attraction a moth must feel to the brightest source of light in its vicinity to tell you where you are supposed to be going results in only one conclusion: Homeworld has yet to lose its power as a piece of art.

The Good
Good graphics. That's mostly it. The graphics are impressive in their own time, and almost entirely run the game. Also, it didn't seem to crash very often or have many errors, and it was possible to move in 3D, a rarity in games. Finally, resources transfer over from levels.

The Bad
It's a slow game, with complicated controls, especially difficult missions, boring music, and a token, nonsensical storyline.

To elaborate, perhaps one of the biggest, though by no means only downsides of this game is the music. First, it's slow and boring, like a lullaby, that makes you want to fall asleep, but worse. For a non-turn-based game to be good, you at least have to convey that there's some excitement involved, even if in reality space is vast and lonely. Second, there's not much choice of music, and you end up listening to the same songs over and over again. Third, it doesn’t have much variety. They all sound pretty much the same, so you really don't have much choice if you don't like it, besides turning it off. Then, there's the game itself. Its graphics will probably entice you to buy it, but after you're gotten over your amazement in the first few levels, you realize there's really not much fun in the missions. They're complicated by the dizzying array of controls and uses of keys, made even worse by the very thing that was supposed to make it better, 3D, so that you get the feeling you have no business commanding a fleet, and would be better off controlling just one or two ships, but you can't if you want to succeed. And even if you do succeed with the missions, and get over the boredom, it'll eventually become to difficult to complete at all, even if you think you've done all you could in the prior missions, making you wonder if you should go back and try those boring missions again.

Then, to make a long review longer, there's the storyline, which is a whole topic in itself. You can read the entire manual (which I did), listen carefully to every word said in the beginning movie and in-game, and play more than halfway through, but it won't make a difference. You still won't get it. You can start as either of two factions, though I think there's only one or two differences between them, then fight the other side when you play. But you never figure out why you're fighting. Which is fine for the first few missions, but then it starts getting really, really frustrating as you go on and start struggling, not knowing who you're fighting. You don't even get to see people's faces, so you don't know what you look like, but soon you start thinking "Hey, I've dragged in almost a dozen ships with their pilots still alive, how come no one simply asked them why they're shooting at us?" It makes a player angry, like playing a text adventure where there's an obvious answer, but the program can't seem to recognize it. You're some race living on a desert planet, leave it for your homeworld...but someone wants to stop you? WHY? Maybe you find out in the end, maybe not, but I was fed up before that happened. I finally snapped when it came to an asteroid level, about halfway through the game. For some reason not explained in the game, your mothership must fly through an asteroid field at a constant speed. No reason why, no explanation for why you can't just go around, above, or below it, why you can't stop, clear a path, and continue when it's clear, or why you can't harvest their resources (by the way, it also doesn't make sense that you can find all the resources necessary to make ships in just a few asteroids. Last I checked, most asteroids were made of just a few elements and compounds, so unless your people, whoever they are, know alchemy, I don't see how you can turn iron into uranium, radon, or whatever materials you need to build spacecraft), for which the asteroid belt seems to contain a wealth of, and use them to make a huge fleet and fully upgraded Mothership. That just took the cake for me, and I stopped playing the game.

The Bottom Line
A waste of money. It beacons you to buy it with it's fancy graphics and the feeling it's a "new" game, then entices you further with it's token plot, but when you get down to it, the game hardly makes any sense, and its faults combine to make it a boring, stupid, difficult game, that stops being fun after the initial shock at its newness wears off around level 3 or 4. You'd have to have a mighty strong suspension of disbelief, and a very weak sense of adventure to enjoy this game, plus be either superhuman or have massive perseverance to finish this game. I can't comprehend why this game got a 3.9 out of 5, unless the people here rated it after just playing the first two levels, or just looking at the box.