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Excellent game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 104 / 117
Date: October 30, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Homeworld 2

General/Summary:

When Relic released the first Homeworld in 1999, I was amazed at the graphics, gameplay, and story that took the gaming world by storm. I said "WOW." It was a sensational game worthy of awards for innovation and game depth not seen before in a RTS game. It was such an ambitious title at the time, and they pulled it off with an incredible 3D engine taking RTS gamers into the depths of space. Homeworld 2 has some large shoes to fill as it tries to recapture the genre once again. It has been refined and improved in many ways over the predecessor, and most of the changes are welcome. Many gamers will criticize Homeworld 2 because it is not their beloved Homeworld 1, but game studios have to create new content to sell games. While the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" motto could apply, Relic made very positive changes in the interface and gameplay design.

Gameplay:

Homeworld 1 did not play much like a typical rock-paper-scissors RTS game. Players massed units like frigates and placed support ships on guard to heal them as they fight. Players made fighters, bombers, and other ships, but there was less of a need for variety. Homeworld 2 on the other hand requires gamers to have many types of ships due to a more strict rock-paper-scissors gameplay design. Also, larger ships now have subsystems, so bombers can target weapons or engines to take those ships out of action. There are more ways to attack in Homeworld 2 and it now resembles other games in the genre. I miss the formations from Homeworld since they played an important part in battle success. Also, watching fighters fly through space in X formation sure was cool. However, the gameplay changes make for a fantastic chess match as players move their different classes of ships around to win battles. I got used to the changes after several games online, and now I am starting to see the benefits. The multiplayer is vastly improved with the new system, and there are more options for offensive tactics.

Homeworld 1 had an incredible story for the single player component, where gamers were stuck in space trying to get home. Homeworld 2 has more of a save the world story, and I found it to be enjoyable. I am not a big fan of stories in RTS games, but Relic does a great job to heighten the experience. I felt like a general commanding my mothership through space on the quests presented to me throughout the game. The story is not Homeworld 1, but Relic presented a very stylish successor that gamers should be proud to own in their collection. Some gamers complain about the lack of a hyperjump button since the missions move quickly and it does not give the player time to absorb much. It does not bother me since the game gives you all the resources on the level automatically, and it saves each time you advance. My only complaint with the missions is that some were very hard, but tips from the Relic forums really helped me move through them quickly. It did not take me long to get through the 15 missions, and I expect that they will release more in an expansion.

There are many refinements in the interface that enhance gameplay. The one major change is the addition of the side scroll. It does not sound like much, but players can move the camera around by moving the pointer to the sides of the screen. All RTS games feature this behavior except Homeworld. This enables players to rely less on the sensor manager to look around, so they can keep their eyes on the main battle screen. Also, they now provide more information on the screen in a collapsible tool bar. Furthermore, the build and research screens now take up less than a third of the main window, so gamers can stay in the game and make purchases at the same time. Another change is the ability to send ships on the vertical axis by holding down the left mouse button. The shift key is still usable for that action, but not necessary since one hand can be faster. The interface has changed for the better, and it helps to control units in 3D space.

The refinements make Homeworld 2 a great game. It is similar enough to learn quickly, but tough to master. One new addition is a defense platform that allows players in online play to send these to things to resource patches ("platform rush"). Resource collectors have no chance against them, but they are easy to counter with Torpedo Frigates that shoot long range torpedoes. You need to defend your Torpedo Frigates with interceptors. I keep finding more and more strategies as I play it online, and the game balance seems impressive. Frigates are no longer big ships like in Homeworld 1, and they can die fast. The big boys now are the Battlecruisers.

Graphics:

The best way to describe the graphics is by saying "WOW." It has a beautiful 3D environment that places gamers in deep space fighting through stars, nebula, and debris. The battles are vivid as ships streak through space creating brilliant screen lighting explosions. Ships have excellent animations and space looks more detailed than the predecessor. The same wow factor is there with improved graphics, but it is not a huge leap from the original. You could really makes a statement about the original Homeworld's graphics being way ahead of it's time. There is no doubt that the graphics are the pinnacle of the Homeworld series, and this version does not hold back.

Sound:

The music is fantastic, just like the other two Homeworld titles. This year they have more of a haunting classical tune to rhythmic beats, and it really adds to the excitement of the game. I have never been disappointed by the music in any of the Homeworld titles. The rest of the sounds add to the overall experience. The explosions are big and make great use of a sub woofer, so crank it up. The music dancing, the ship engines humming, and the explosions create a wonderful space battle environment.

Veteran Strategy PC Gamer

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 17 / 29
Date: July 21, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This is my first review from what I've seen so far.

Everything on this game is being tweaked. People complain about the graphics, yet one must know more before considering such comments valid.

Homeworld 2 continues to dominate even its superiors. ORB is so basic you can count the polygons and vertices, zooming out and moving dots around degrades it further. The best computer takes much time to load such an odd game, as its saving grace stands only to satisfy a VERY hungry gamer.

HW2 will have slightly less graphic strength than Hegemonia, because that is the point. This is when compared to Hegemonia, where you have excellent graphics, but few ships at any given time. Players can hardly call what they have "fleets". Veteran, non-biased players supplied this very information. HW2 allows for hundreds of ships from entirely distinct races. Swarms of detailed fighters rage around massive captital ships protecting one-another with unheard-of Artificial Intelligence. The game is optimized for lower-end PC's as a mercy to those who haven't followed the curve of PC's. Those with Higher systems are treated when the engine automatically (and manually if you like) adjusts to use your systems strength, activating dorment "Eye Candy". This is to enhance game-play, so that you can even play the game at all.

Finally, the games story and sound technology have Never EVER been beaten, and there are absolutely no negative points to give this game. Dubbed "Perfect" by all credable sources with the original, this improved generation sequel will test the merits and validity of reviewers to come. May it yet again receive an unbiased "Game of the Year" from all reviewers as before. This game is "the most advanced tactical game ever" - part 2.

This is Homeworld 2...Not Cataclysm

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 17
Date: August 31, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Dear Amazon Customer,

Please pay no attention to negative reviews of Homeworld 2 that are actually directed to the Homeworld expansion ...Homeworld:Cataclysm.

Homeworld was ground breaking, moving, and finely balanced for an incredible gaming experience. Nuff said... buy the first if you haven't already.

Cataclysm lacked the impact of the first but was pretty cool in its own right. I replayed one of the cataclysm missions over and over again until I could save all of the passenger ships. Cataclysm had something to be proud of also. And you know you're lying if you didn't get a giant grin every time you zapped an opponent with your beast ray online and heard their entire crew scream in agony because you knew your opponent heard the same cries on the other end. If you haven't bought cataclysm yet wait until you get bored of the first and the third (which I guarantee won't happen for a number of years)

Homeworld 2 hasn't come out yet but download the trailer (which is actually video of in game action) and you will see why I gave this game 5 stars before I have played it.

So in a couple weeks there will be three Homeworld games don't get them confused. Homeworld 2 promises to be very cool and unlike another review at amazon it IS made by Relic, the people who made the original...besides there are gonna be space marines as we know all games containing space marines are must buys.

p.s. Amazon...please remove the reviews that confuse Homeworld 2 with Homeworld Cataclysm.

Homeworld2: Evolution, not Revolution.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: September 23, 2003
Author: Amazon User

The motto of the Developement team on Homeworld2, Evolution not Revolution, is evident in the final product. It is a very much improved version of Homeworld in almost everything.

Homeworld was the first 3D space RTS. In Homeworld you commanded a fleet of ships (centered around the Mothership) trying to get back to your Homeworld. The storyline and how it was presented in the singleplayer gave you a sense of emotional connection.

Homeworld2 is more easy to use than the Original. It uses an interface which is all about being optional and unintrusive. In Homeworld2, unlike the original you are never taken out of the action, you are always there.

In addition to the simple GUI improvements, Homeworld2 has (maybe unneccessarily) simplified the 3d; as well as the standard "Movecommand, target on disk, deviation into 3d" form of movement, there is a click on target form. What I like less in their changes is the "flattening" of the game into a more flat world, but maybe that is neccessary in the singleplayer. Another new feature I found very useful in the interface is the panning feature; in the original you had to be centered on an object (or where an object was when you chose to center there) while now you can pan the camera around the map in a similar fasion to many other RTSs.

However, the difference that I find most fulfilling is the change in actual play. Homeworld2 sport 2 *truly* different races, unlike Homeworld, where the 2 races were identical except for 2 ships. Homeworld2's Hiigaran and Vaygr races have totally different tactical possibilites; multipurpose formations vs. specialized swarms. Also there is the addition of Subsystems to large ships; targetable parts such as Engines, Hyperspace modules, or Fire Control Towers. These features seem similar to Homeworld: Cataclysm, so they aren't truly new, but they appear to be better implemented.

All in all, Homeworld2 is a major improvement on the original, but if you're looking for something completely new, look elsewhere.

The Best Game ever made continues...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 9
Date: May 30, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I've played a multitude of games in my day and not yet have I ever come across a better gaming experience than Homeworld. The graphics, music, effects, sounds, story and total game play was super fantabulous! I was not as impressed with Cataclysm (the expansion) but I plan to be first in line to get my copy of Homeworld 2. I have no doubt that it will be worth the incredibly long wait they've put us through for this one! My only hope is that number 2 lasts twice as long because I hated to see the end of the first one.

Spectacular

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 7
Date: August 03, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Homeworld has been and will continue to be a spectacle of incrediblly beautiful graphics and amazing gameplay. It will keep you entertained for months. I know that I am still playing the original after two years and love it even more than I did when I first bought it.

Homeworld 2 is GREAT!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: September 18, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This is a great game. I got it as soon as I got out of school. I drove through a very nasty rain storm, all the way across town to get, and I did not regret it the slightest. Last night I stayed up until about 2:00 in the morning, I have not done that since I got Homeworld back in 1999. It takes a great game to keep me concious for that amount of time. They have smoothed out the interface to make it easier for players who have not played any Homeworld before, but it took a long while for me to get accustomed to it. The graphics are amazing and even putting all the settings on low make the graphics far superior to Homeworld's or Cataclysm's. I have been waiting impatiently for Homeworld 2's release since I first heard of it, and I feel no regret for being so eager about its release, unlike a slimeball of a game called C&C Generals which was the worst excuse for a rip-off of C&C I have ever seen! But Anyway! This is a great game and the capital ships are so immense, they make heavy cruisers from Homeworld look like mechanical fruitbats. If you are a fan of Homeworld, then go buy this! If you are not, then go buy it! AND if you hate RTS, fleet based combat, or you're just a total idiot, then go buy it!

The story, action, and strategy is GREAT!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 10
Date: November 06, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game after it was out about 1 month. I installed it, though of it as a little weird, interface was alot different, then I got use to it and I was thinking to my self like WOW!!!! I love this game to death. After about 2 days I mastered the key to this game, having tons of fighters, corvettes, bombers, and your nice frigates and capital ships, not to mention your battlecrusiers. But after I mastered what is needed in every mission to defend and win each one I had no trouble getting through all missions above mission 3 ( well I had trouble but it was easier hehe )

Now, in homeworld you run out of resources alot of the time. In homeworld 2, you don't. You always have enough resources if you have a knack for being a good commander. Me, im excellent at commanding and I could always replace my lost battlecrusier or frigate, and I liked that alot.

The enemy is very fast at attacking but you can be even faster at attacking I realized. Just speed think like I do and its all a go. The grahpics are amazing!! the best I ever seen in my life!! The story is wild and excellent!! Gameplay is a jewel! I tell you, if you're a excellent Homeworld player than this is your game, its not a waste of money at all!!!

Excellent Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: June 17, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I thought the first Homeworld was great, then i played the second one and was totally blown away. Improvements all across the board. I would not hesitate to recomend this game to anyone.

HW2 may be difficult...but that is half the fun!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: December 02, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I am amazed that people say this game is bad just because they find it challenging. So what if it is difficult? Learn from your losses. It helps later on if you choose to do player vs. CPU and/or to go online and face off with up to six HUMAN players.

Anyway, I loved this game (Sure, the SP campaign could have ended better), and I have no real complaints against HW2 or Relic. Here are some pros and cons I discovered while playing:

Pros:

Many new ships with many new uses

Cool nebulas that you can hide in and electrify with ions

Neat new maps for both SP and MP

Excellent graphics

Very balanced game

Overall, just plain sweet

Single player missions are creative and fun, especially mission 12

A new, challenging enemy: the Vaygr.

Cons:

Platform Rushing. Should be fixed in the upcoming patch.

The game could have been better if Sierra hadn't rushed Relic to finish it (Plat rushes and other minior MP issues would have been solved).

That's about it. In conclusion, I would recommend this game to anybody who plays or wants to play strategy games. You'll love this game!

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