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CNET Editors' review
In the original Homeworld, descendants of Hiigara fought their way to their ancestral home. In this sequel, a renegade clan called the Vaygrs threatens the Hiigarans' existence. Gamers must collect resources, construct space fleets, and battle the Vaygrs to survive. Despite some slowness in cut scenes and between missions, Homeworld 2 combines intense action, an immersive story, and detailed 3D graphics to create an enjoyable space-strategy game.The demo version provides one tutorial, two single-player missions, and two multiplayer missions, as well as a single-player deathmatch against the computer. The tutorial provides a cursory introduction to controlling the camera and the basic interface, but you'll need more practice to master all the controls. Veteran gamers will complete the two single-player missions quickly. The deathmatch option is great practice, because you can train for regular gameplay without plot interruptions. Although the 3D graphics are less advanced than recent comparable titles, the massive space battles are still impressive. A well-integrated soundtrack adds to the immersive experience. Much of the success of Homeworld 2 will depend on the final storyline and the advanced missions, but the well-designed interface, the wide variety of ships and structures, and new multiplayer options indicate a powerful potential.
Publisher's Description
From Sierra Entertainment:
Continue the epic saga of Homeworld with the sequel to PC Gamer's 1999 Game of the Year. Combining elements of real-time strategy and space combat, Homeworld 2 delivers an evolutionary step in gameplay and technology. Cinematic-quality graphics, stunning special effects, brilliantly rendered ships, and an innovative interface combine to create an immersive 3D experience.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 17 votes
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Current version:
4.3 starsout of 17 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Amazing and Detailed Game"
Version: Homeworld 2 1.0
Pros
Filled with action packed battles, great graphics engine, wonderful storyline when you can follow it.
Cons
Not enough conversation, hard to follow storyline but great all in all
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"100% graphics, 0% entertaining"
Version: Homeworld 2 1.0
Pros
This game delivers on the promise of intense graphics and an improved user interface, and continues the same B/W style of animated imagery scenimatics just like what you find in Homeworld and Homeworld cataclysm.
Cons
It fails on an engrossing storyline that is at all comparable to Homeworld or even Homeworld Cataclysm. The single player campaign is very short (only 15 levels long), and about 99% of the ingame vocals are as monotone as humanly possible.
Summary
I've had this game since it was released and only recently played it the whole way through like I have always wanted to. I was very dissapointed in the story. Homeworld had such an outstanding story in it that actually made me nearly cry in the end, homeworld 2 was build up by advertisements to be the continuation of that epic story but hardly holds up. The single player campaign is very short, I went through it in only 1 day, and nearly every voice transmission has this dry, monotone, "I am reading a script and really don't care if it is interesting" feel to them. No disrespect to the voice actors, they are awesome. I couldn't possibly know why it ended up that way, but I would suspect the director wasn't as enthusiastic about the job as he/she could have been. One asset that stands out in the Homeworld series is the scenimatic sequences, with animated black/white still imagery. For me, when I see something similar or hear that narrator's voice, I get all sentimental and have flashbacks to the first time I saw them in H and HC. H2 has the same scenimatic style that is consistent in Homeworld and Homeworld Cataclysm, but fails to deliver the same experience do to an unentertaining story line. The gameplay is also less exciting than what you would find in the other Homeworld games. Although the control is actually quite a bit more intuitive than the previous games, new strategy concepts and play control features dilute the control the player has and seriously hinders the game's difficulty. Basically it is straight forward all the way, there is only so much you can do and weather or not you win or lose isn't very dependent on your gameplay skill, whereas in H or HC a very skilled player can do a lot with very little. If you are a Homeworld fan and contemplating on weather or not you should go buy Homeworld 2, I suggest that YOU ARE NOT MISSING ANYTHING if you decide to pass it by. I am not the type of gamer who thinks graphics are the backbone of a game's fun-factor, but I think Homeworld 2 is made more for players who are. I would give H2 a 4/10, for poor single player story, poor gameplay mechanics, and better-than-average graphics.
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"Amazing I like this game."
Version: Homeworld 2 1.0
Pros
This game is very cool.
Cons
No comments
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"Good!"
Version: Homeworld 2 1.0
Pros
This is a good game, and it is hard to find outside.
Cons
Only demo? Do u have full version?
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"Awesome Game"
Version: Homeworld 2 1.0
Pros
This game has many originally modeled units that look great in their own way, and the graphics are just beautiful. The "3D Tactical Strategy" genre was pretty much created by the creators of Homeworld, and they do not leave that out of this game. Although it is a demo, most of the game functions are accessible although a few "big gunned ships" are excluded, as well as the campaign and a-LOT of multiplayer levels are missing. But overall this demo is a great game and I ask you to consider buying.
Cons
The strategic interface is a bit complicated at first, but has a low learning curve to current Homeworld fans, but to newcomers, this will pose a problem if you just start out playing skirmishes....Also there ARE a few glitchy subjects because of the enviromental dynamic light setting but are rarely made and are rarely seen if they appear.
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"Great Game!"
Version: Homeworld 2 1.0
Pros
Homeworld 2 is a great strategy game. It has awesome grahipcs and great gameplay. I recommend that you download it now or buy it later. It's worth it!
Cons
The only problem with Homeworld 2 is that it takes time to learn to use the camera in the 3D environment, but besides that, it is a GREAT game!
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"the best of the best of the best of the best game!!!"
Version: Homeworld 2 1.0
Pros
to me i feel so excited when i play and send my troops for war! homeworld inspire me to play and buy homeworld 2!!!!
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"Top-Tier Strategy"
Version: Homeworld 2 1.0
Summary
Absolutely brilliant gameplay, and don't worry about what others said about the interface, the game is fun, and that is all that matters.
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"It is fun"
Version: Homeworld 2 1.0
Summary
It is a great game with new function
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"It keeps getting better..."
Version: Homeworld 2 1.0
Summary
I've played it over and over again, if you like space/strategy/combat you MUST try this game!
but i have to agree with Val :no matter what you do you are either too far away or too close, but never at a right perspective to have a good overall glimpse of the battlefield and at the same time be able to enjoy the incredibe graphics that are taking place and viewable if zoomed in enough.
