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March 30, 2005
Review: Homeworld 2
I purchased Homeworld 2 about 5 weeks ago. Since then, I have only played it for about 3 hours total. So far, I have to say that this game rocks.
First of all, Homeworld 2 (like Homeworld and Homeworld: Cataclysm) is a 3D RTS (Real-Time Strategy) game. Gameplay takes place in space, in a truly 3D environment; you move and fight in three dimensions.
If you never played the first Homeworld, then you may not be familiar with it's excellent user interface. The challenge of creating a simple, easy to use interface that allows players to move, fight and operate in 3 dimensions, even during times of frantic, "high-stress" activity, is no small matter.
I never thought it would be possible, but Relic actually made the UI in Homeworld 2 better than the original. Not just a little better, either. I have to tip my hat to them.
As for gameplay, the same concept of working with fleets of ships in every size class from small 1-man fighters (and even a few smaller auxiliary devices) all the way up to Super Capital Ships, is present. You can not succeed in the game if you ignore one end of the spectrum or the other. You must build integrated, combined arms fleets in order to win.
The major changes are in just what ships are available. The timeframe of Homeworld 2 is set several generations after the original, so this makes a lot of sense. The technology tree is very interesting as well.
Also, ships that have construction capabilities, use a concept of modules that must be present in order to be able to construct certain classes of ships. There are some really cool new ships, too.
One thing that has disappointed me, though, is that hyperspace jumps in multiplayer games are still WAY too expensive. There are maps that encourage hyperspacing, and the super-capital ships (along with the mother ship and shipyard) are slower moving than in the original, making for painful gaps in the action. Hopefully, this could be "fixed" in an update to the game.
Overall, I am really looking forward to working my way through the single-player campaigns. Multiplayer games with several other people will be a lot of fun.
Posted by lamontp at March 30, 2005 5:25 PM