Homeworld 3 | Review Thread

[John Elden Ring]

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Game Information​

Game Title: Homeworld 3

Platforms:

PC (May 13, 2024)

Trailers:

• Homeworld 3 | Announce Trailer
• Homeworld 3 | Story Trailer
• Homeworld 3 | History of Homeworld
• Homeworld 3 | Behind The Scenes Documentary
• Homeworld 3 | Overview Trailer

Developer: Blackbird Interactive

Publisher: Gearbox Publishing

Trailer:

Review Aggregator:

Metacritic - 79 Average - 24 Reviews

Critic Reviews​

But Why Tho? - Arron Kluz - 8/10

The modernization of the series has yielded amazing benefits that make it feel like the definitive Homeworld experience unless you are looking to go back and experience the whole story for yourself. It isn't easy to make a sequel worth a decades-long wait, but Blackbird Interactive has managed to pull off just that.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Nic Reuben - Unscored

Homeworld 3 leaves me in the strange position where I want to play more of it, but I’ve basically had my fill of the campaign, I’ve got no interest in PvP, and War Games mode is silly difficult in single player. It’s like having a set of really nice brushes but no canvas, so to speak. I guess this is probably where mods come in - the game is supposed to be launching with built in support and tools on day one. I get that "It’ll be great with mods" doesn’t come across as a ringing endorsement, but to reiterate: Homeworld 3 is a pretty good time in a very good sci-fi setting. I can’t recommend it wholeheartedly, but I’m also hoping it finds enough of an audience that it paves the way for a more experimental sequel or expansion in the future - and if you've been longing for 21 years for a followup to Homeworld 2, I can’t see you being too disappointed.

GamingTrend - Ron Burke - 100

Homeworld 3 is everything I hoped it could be. It improves on its predecessors in every conceivable way, and adds meaningful new features including a cooperative War Games mode. I never thought it would happen again, but I’m happy to report…the mothership has cleared the scaffold...we are away once again.

COGcnnected - Lou Sytsma - 95/100

Their roadmap for the rest of 2024 and into 2025 is a testament to that. There will be free DLC drops in June, August and Q4. July and October will see paid DLC made available. In 2025, the free and paid DLC drops will continue. Homeworld fans can take heart the latest game in the series sets new benchmarks for the franchise. The new line-of-sight gameplay mechanics make for even more challenging space combat strategies. The gameplay depth is greater, the customization is deeper, and the replayability is longer. Homeworld 3 oozes quality across all aspects.

Gamereactor UK - Patrik Severin - 8/10

It's clear as day that Blackbird Interactive has a love for the brand. Everything both sounds and looks as you would hope it would, and the overall whole is a step forward from the original in a good way.

Digital Trends - Jason Rodriguez - 60/100

Homeworld 3 did keep me engaged for a time thanks to gorgeous visuals and exciting tactical combat in the vastness of space. Performance-wise, I didn’t notice too many hiccups. With an Nvidia RTX 3080, Intel i9-10900K, and 32GB of RAM, I was able to select high graphical settings without a hitch. Unfortunately, the campaign’s story is a huge step down from previous installments. Missions, whether in the campaign or in multiplayer modes, are plagued by innumerable issues related to unit pathing, controls, and commands. It’s a disappointment that was 20 years in the making.

GamesRadar+ - Rick Lane - 70/100

Homeworld's operatic space combat is as engrossing as ever in its third outing, although a weaker story and a slightly odd cover system dim the shine of its star.

GLHF on Sports Illustrated - Marco Wutz - 7/10

Homeworld 3’s campaign is a majestic space odyssey showcasing some of the innovative spirit of its predecessors and its presentation is stunning. Though its co-op elements are founded on a good idea, the War Games mode feels like it cuts away some of the best aspects of the game in the rush to be a portion-sized multiplayer experience for the modern age. It’s an enjoyable space RTS before being a strong Homeworld title.

Inverse - 9/10

Homeworld 3 is one of the most entrancing experiences I’ve had with a strategy game in years, and proof that the single-player RTS still has an important role to fill.

IGN France - Par Herth - 8/10

An excellent space RTS like few others. A breathtaking campaign, polished single-player and multiplayer gameplay... With its content additions and future mods, Homeworld 3 could become the worthy heir to the mythical saga and a benchmark for the genre.

IGN - Dan Stapleton - 8/10

Homeworld 3's single-player campaign brings the series' epic space battles in for intense, close-quarters combat on visually diverse maps full of enormous obstacles to plan around. At the same time, it delivers an unexpectedly personal story that leans a little too heavily on the cliche of a new-generation protagonist seeking out the old.

Noisy Pixel - Colin Buchanan - 8.5/10

The challenge I described at the beginning of this review is capably met by Homeworld 3, even if its story felt a little simplistic. Its lightweight story did not stop me from being captivated by its depiction of the endless, beautiful void of space. The frustrating, difficult-to-master control scheme has been both modernized and preserved for those who crave the classic experience. It's easily beautiful and satisfying enough to meet the standards of classic players and entice a brand-new crowd of interstellar heroes.

Sector.sk - 7.5/10

Although Homeworld 3 certainly doesn't put the cult strategy series to shame, and space flight has its own charm, it can't be said that it's a leap or a big step forward.

Shacknews - TJ Denzer - 9/10

Homeworld 3 plays incredible from top to bottom, and I think whether you’re a fan of the series that’s been waiting for this or a newcomer that just likes good strategy, everyone who takes control of the Khar Kushan is in for an absolute feast of stellar strategy gameplay.

TheSixthAxis - Stefan L - 7/10

After decades of waiting, Homeworld 3 pushes the beloved space RTS series in new directions with megalithic terrain putting a fresh spin on combat, and a bitesized roguelite War Games mode, but still retains so much of the original tone and style. It doesn't quite stick the landing in some areas, and there's rough edges to improve, but I simply love being back in this setting and series.

Windows Central - Samuel Tolbert - 8/10

Homeworld 3 offers the experience of handling a full fleet with aplomb through tactical gameplay options that live up to and build on the systems of its predecessors. With gorgeous atmosphere and crisp audio design, it's a game that asks big questions of its new cast of characters with some solid writing. Not every narrative decision lands, but Homeworld 3 stands on its own feet as a worthy new entry in the long-running franchise.

Polygon - Cameron Kunzelman - Unscored

I think Homeworld 3 is an acquired taste. I am not sure that the random strategy game player, not to mention just a random human who enjoys games, would be willing to get over some of the rougher points of the game. It is as polished and friendly as a game like this can be, but I think that it can only meet you so far. At the end of the day, Homeworld 3 sells a fantasy of being a genius fused into the machinery of a spaceship who has constant vision and perspective on a vast, 3D battlefield. The game depicts this as perfectly as any game can, and turns it into nail-biting, if plodding, gameplay opportunities.

TechRadar Gaming - Julian Benson - 6/10

While Homeworld 3 looks the part and is a competent strategy game, the chaos of battle obscures much of the nuance of its new features.

GRYOnline.pl - Zbigniew Woźnicki - 8/10

Homeworld 3 continues the gameplay that fans of the series know very well. At the same time, newcomers will easily find their way through the meanders of creating their own fleet - ready to crush all enemies that stand in its way. For strategy fans Homeworld 3 seems to be a must-have title, especially since the developers clearly want to support mods.

Wccftech - Chris Wray - 8.5/10

Homeworld 3 marks a successful return to a long-revered series. Bringing back the successful space strategy series, but improving the combat by a large amount with a more tactical approach, Blackbird Interactive has successfully made their mark. With exceptional tactical combat, made all the more important by the fact that everything carries over, and one bad mistake could cripple you much further down the line. The additional War Games mode only enhances this, making for a very engaging title.

PC Gamer - Fraser Brown - 77/100

Homeworld 3 takes some big swings, but while it's a very good RTS, it never quite comes together in the same way as its predecessors.

Dot Esports - Izabela Tomakic - 8/10

Homeworld 3 will arrive almost 21 years after the previous installment, Homeworld 2, and after you plunge into this deep space strategy, you’ll soon realize it was worth the wait.

PC Games - Matthias Dammes - 9/10

A worthy successor and a great real-time strategy game that captures the special atmosphere of Homeworld, tells an exciting story and offers a lot of tactical depth

 

[Bryank75]

Very respectable scores. Must try it out at some point.