Homeworld

Rating:
Summary: A very good game
Review: When I first started playing this game, I was awestruck by the amazing graphics. I installed it, everything ran smoothly, and even though the tutorial level was extremely long, I didn't tire of it simply because everything was so impressive looking, even at the meager 640x480 res I started at.

I played the campaign next, and although it was pretty cool that you had the same resources and ships from level to level, the levels themselves were extremely easy (I know that because I suck at RTS games and I didn't have to reload once on this one). It also was boring having to collect every last scrap of resources at the end of the levels in order to support your fleet through the next threat.

Even through all of this, I thought it was a very fun, addictive, game, but when I started playing multiplayer it dawned on me where this game really lacks -- there's not enough variety. The ships aren't varied enough, and even though it's 3D, there's only one terrain type -- space. There's just not enough variety for it not to get boring after too long.

So even with the stunning graphics, compelling music, and simple but effective cutscenes, the un-intuitive gameplay and the sameness of it all brought this still very good game down to only 4 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Unreal, Highly Immersive Gameplay!
Review: Homeworld's best features-graphics engine, scripting, control mechanics, narrative flow, and mission structure, are so fluid, so highly immersive, that it makes the experience far more than the sum of its parts. The combination of large scale fleet actions and cinematic perspectives creates the most impressive space combat ever made for a strategy game. Its like being in the middle of, and in cotrol of, a Star Wars battle. 16 single player missions can make for some short gaming time but most people go through the campaign at least twice-its that good. In single player, you'll encounter 2 races, aside from the main one that your trying to decimate.

There are 26 units to choose from on each side, with 3 main classes of ships-from the paltry fire of the scout, to the amazing might of the heavy cruiser. The excellent use of 3D makes for some interesting strategies, putting much imphasis on the element of surprise...

To sum it up, buy Homeworld for its engrossing real-time-strategy matched to a vital and visually intense story, making this a gaming experience like none other.

P.S. You may want to check the Relic and Sierra message boards to see what other people think of the game-plus it could help you along in learning the basic components of the game

Rating:
Summary: Incredible Gaming Experience
Review: Homeworld was not easy to learn -- the startup tutorial helps you get the hang of controlling your units in true 3-D space -- but that's what sets the standard for a new class of games.

I bought Homeworld for $ at CompUSA, after it was already 2 years old. What luck! The game is engrossing. The graphics and sound are spectacular, and the game's pace is a mix of frantic battles and eerie, downright creepy exploration. There's plenty of familiar strategy to start with: build units, gather resources, and research new tech.

But it's the realistic way that you manage your ships in 3-D space, with rotation and scaling that are really intuitive once you get comfy with it, that makes this game a mindblower. I've played most, if not all, new games in the past 5 years, and this one is near the top of my value-per-hour-played list.

Get it, even if it's used.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible Graphics and Epic Space Battles
Review: I'm not usually one to play strategy games, but the graphics of homeworld looked so impressive that I couldn't resist the temptation of picking up a copy. After playing it for a few evenings, I've come to the conclusion that this game is simply stunning.

Homeworld immerses you in a full 3D battlefield and makes it easy to zoom, pan and rotate your view to different perspectives. You can choose to watch battles unfold from afar, or select any visible ship and instantly shift your focus to their view and follow them through combat.

Large scale battles are incredible to watch from either perspective. They're so detailed and so well rendered that they remind me of some of the space battle scenes from the Return of the Jedi (ok, the resolution isn't as good, and the game isn't as smooth as CGI, but it's pretty incredible nonetheless-- large battles are definately "wow" material).

The gameplay is well balanced, and to date, I've found the different missions/battles to be quite challenging. Unlike most strategic war games I've played, the storyline for homeworld is quite interesting. It unfolds gradually, and does a great job in building up the drama behind your mission.

The main difference behind homeworld and other strategic wargames is the 3D nature of the battlefield. Space is definately harder to fight in than land.

Definately five stars, definately a must have...

Rating:
Summary: One of the best games I've played... ever
Review: Although I am only a teenager :-). Anyway, probably the mostattractive feature of this game is its 3D map. The fully threedimensional terrain is amazing, and adds a whole new level (dimension :-Þ) of strategy. This new paradigm may frighten some people away, but, honestly, it's very easy to learn (hell, even I learned it). Basically, whatever interfacing problems came up, Relic fixed them. If you doubt, go get the demo. You can play the wonderful tutorial (It's quite amazing; I played it twice :-), and it taught a very inept friend of mine to beat down a couple of corvettes), or go h2h against the computer.

Of course, the game isn't all peachy. Underneath the amazing gameplay and breathtaking graphics is... aw, hell, there's nothing wrong under there :-). The only complaint I have is that the game is too bloody short. Fortunately, they're coming out with Homeworld: Cataclysm, which looks to be even more astounding.

You know, it's really hard to write a review about a near-perfect game.

SP

Rating:
Summary: Oh... dear... LORD!
Review: We all know about real-time strategy (RTS) games. We all remember that Comand and Conquer and Warcraft were the first, providing the giant shoulders that countless game developers would stand on in an attempt to cash in on the latest gaming fad. A few standout RTS were developed in the wake of Warcraft, but not many.

Enter Homeworld. From the moment you enter the tutorial, it is blindingly obvious that this game will be like none you have EVER played. You manage your units in true 3D space, using a brilliant combo of mouse actions and hotkeys to position the camera, group and move units and more, and while awkward at first, the system becomes second nature after a short while.

The graphics are indeed stunning, but the beauty of Homeworld is GAMEPLAY. In a day when most RTS are rehashed Warcraft or C&C, Relic has created a game that truly feels like it's happening in space. Epic starship battles happen at your fingertips, and brilliant in-game cutscenes and plot twists help move the game along without a break in the immersion. This game was so awesome, I was too intimidated to play it when I first got it. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner.

Bored of the same ol' RTS? Get Homeworld. Just do it. Trust me.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best games I've played... ever
Review: Although I am only a teenager :-). Anyway, probably the mostattractive feature of this game is its 3D map. The fully threedimensional terrain is amazing, and adds a whole new level (dimension :-Þ) of strategy. This new paradigm may frighten some people away, but, honestly, it's very easy to learn (hell, even I learned it). Basically, whatever interfacing problems came up, Relic fixed them. If you doubt, go get the demo. You can play the wonderful tutorial (It's quite amazing; I played it twice :-), and it taught a very inept friend of mine to beat down a couple of corvettes), or go h2h against the computer.

Of course, the game isn't all peachy. Underneath the amazing gameplay and breathtaking graphics is... aw, hell, there's nothing wrong under there :-). The only complaint I have is that the game is too bloody short. Fortunately, they're coming out with Homeworld: Cataclysm, which looks to be even more astounding.

You know, it's really hard to write a review about a near-perfect game.

SP

Rating:
Summary: Sierra confused technique with gameplay
Review: Ok, at the risk of being labeled a spoil-sport, I'll say I didn't like Homeworld. The concept is creative, the design elegant, the graphics impressive, the soundtrack awesome. The AI is dim-witted; the interface ridiculous, and the gameplay annoying.

First, I like the idea of a 3d tactical space game. Too many of them (notably Star Fleet Command) are entirely too two dimensional. Of course, making a space sim 3-d means you need to be able to look at the "map" from different perspectives. Sadly, you can spend as much time managing the camera as you spend fighting your forces. Not a good combination.

Second, the AI is incredibly dumb. I didn't have as much problem with avoidable collisions as one reviewer, but my fighter pilots had this nasty habit of launching out of the mothership and then parking while the battle raged around them. I shouldn't have to go tell newly minted units to fight back. Especially since I couldn't see them to tell them to get their rears in gear most of the time. (That doggone perspective camera-management problem again.) This is a real drawback when you have a lot of units on the map, which makes too many demands for micromanagement.

Last, the gameplay is annoying because I spent as much time trying to figure out how to play as I spent playing, only to be annoyed with the dumb AI and camera management tasks once I had the interface down. Not a good sign

Bottom line: The game has potential, but the learning curve is too steep and the minor problems too distracting to make it fun. If you want a game that looks good when you play and has a great soundtrack; and if you don't mind a steep learning curve or large micromanagement demands, this is it. If you're on a limited game-buying budget, don't have a lot of time on your hands, and would settle for something less technically impressive but more fun to play, then Homeworld isn't for you. It wasn't for me.

Rating:
Summary: 5+!
Review: Spectacular! This is easily one of the best games I have ever played! The graphics are wonderful, and the ease of scrolling and views you can take are second to none! Some RTS games such as Far Gate, Star Trek Space Armada and Empire Earth slow up to be impossible to play when you have a lot of units in play, but with Homeworld this is not a problem. Game creaters could learn a lot from this!
A great feature is the amount of space warfare you get to do. I love that! As I was going through the game I started to feel a bit as though the missions were a little too easy, as I was using the same strategy for aboutt hree of them with success, but I realised that I has spoken too soon! I am right on the last part of the game now and I am finding it impossible to beat. I can't believe that after only just managing to beat one wave of ships, another one appears immediately with the same fire power.
I haven't had any problems with the inteface. I find its complexity adds to the realism of the game.

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME strategy game
Review: Sierra makes really good games,and this is one of them.Homeworld is an awesome strategy game and it's probably my favorite other than Starcraft.Anyway,this game is well worth the money.It has great multiplayer that you can do against the cpu or people,and great graphics.Good gameplay and a good storyline.Conclusion:this game is incredibly good and well worth the money.I'm also looking forward to ordering Homeworld Cataclysm(I hope that's spelled right),which I think will be a good game too.