Others say...

"Space-based strategy for lesser PC's"
The genre of space-based strategy simulation is one particular area that has not recently received much attention. The arrival of "Sins of a Solar Empire" for Windows Vista is rather recent, but pretty advanced for some computers. Homeworld 2 offers quite a lot of fun for an inexpensive package.

Despite Homeworld 2's limited application in single-player campaign gameplay, mods such as "Complex" add tons of breadth to the game and really flush out its characteristics. Although I have not played the original Homeworld, and therefore cannot judge the sequel based on its predecessor, I can say that there is rarely a dull moment in this game. The customizability of ship badges was a nice touch, as is the ability to adjust the color scheme of your fleet.

However much fun the game is, I cannot give it a full score due to its short single-player campaign and the limited amount of races playable. While these are the results of the storyline that was created for the game, I believe that it could have been expanded to three or even four races and made a much more competetive and open-ended game. Still, for such a low price, this game was a great bargain and it is sure to stay on my hard drive!

"Immersive and entertaining"
Okay, there's a lot of griefing in some of these reviews about Homeworld 2 being 2 hard. Wah wah wah.

I'm more of a RPG, turn based fan. I don't like Diablo style games, first person shooters and real time games are usually a little too fast twitch for my fingers. But I got Homeworld 2 anyway--I've got an older machine, so I cast around for games that will still run on it--and have enjoyed it immensely. It is hard, there's no doubt about that. You can't possibly hope to just zerg the computer into submission by building waves of ships to overwhelm the AI. You've got limited resources, first of all, and the AI puts up a good fight.

The graphics in this game still hold up even years after its release. Unlike most 2 dimensional space-based games (Starfleet Command, many of the Star Wars games) you've got to think in 3 dimensions. There's nothing so satisfying as sending a squadren of fighters swooping down (or up) on a fleet of unsuspecting frigates. Due to some of the limitations on firing arcs on ships, this does become an important strategy.

No level is unbeatable, but you'll sweat it out trying to get through them. I've had to take a step back and try a different approach a couple of times, but eventually I got through. You will spend hours on each mission, but whose in a rush to play through such an enjoyable game?

My only complaint is that my ships sometimes get minds of their own. I'll give them an order to engage a particular enemy, and sometimes they'll see something shiny rolling across the floor and get distracted. It's annoying, but if you stay on them, they'll do what they are supposed to eventually.

For others who might be put off by the hectic pace of a real time game, be advised there is a pause button that allows you to stop action, issue orders and continue when you are good and ready.

So grab yourself a copy of Homeword 2 and give it a whirl. It's well worth the price, which is considerably lower than the initial release. I think you'll enjoy it.

JCT
March 2008

"Homeworld 2"
Very good game at a very good price. Despite its age, Homeworld 2 still holds up graphically. While complex, the tutorial missions do a good job of keeping the learning curve reasonable. You should be able to understand most of the game's features in only a few hours, which is quite good given the complexity of the game. There also are not many recent space strategy games as detailed as Homeworld 2.

"Great sequel"
Excellent upgrade for the best graphic game ever created. Homeworld has outstanding game play and Homeworld 2 made that even better with the added scrolling camera views. Gives you the real feeling of the vastness of space and the effects of not being limited to the basic 2D battlefields. Hope the developers expand and make it a triology. Greatly written storyline to keep up with the homeworld tradition.

"Just a great game any way you spint it, don't miss this one."
Any real PC gamer has played or at least heard of the original Homeworld and what a fantastic RTS it is. Well Homeworld2 is basically the original Homeworld with better graphics, a new online gameplay and better AI. The story is basically identical to the original Homeworld so you will not really be getting much story wise assuming you have played the original. However the gameplay is so great that it can easily be overlooked, I highly recommend this game to anyone who is a PC game collector like myself or to anyone who is looking for a good RTS and loves space sim type games.