Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak

Big technical blunders for a supposedly experienced company. Window issues, visual glitches, multiple crashes, no key binding. Key binding is a really low bar, even newby devs get that right.

[The game is now patched to the latest version - 1.3.0. We’re sorry for the delay. - GOG] The GOG version is outdated, lacking the latest update (1.3.0) that was released on Steam, which implements a lot of bug fixes, balance and new features to the game. Therefore, the GOG version is inferior to its Steam counterpart. I contacted Gearbox and BBI asking when the patch would be released on GOG and both of them told me that I should ask this from GOG, because GOG was responsible for the development work for the GOG version. I asked GOG through a support ticket and they didn't say a single word after 1 entire month. Unacceptable stance from GOG. I don't recommend to buy the Steam version either, because even if GOG is truly responsible for the development of the GOG version, it baffles me how BBI and Gearbox have no interest to ensure that their game is updated on all platforms that they released the game, so, they're at fault here too.

I got the game with the discount and I think its phenomenal for that price. Yes, it's not another Homeworld but it manages to capture the Homeworld feeling and the missions are great so far (I believe I am nearly done with the Campaign). Make sure to set the graphics to MAX! Anything below maximum looks mediocre, especially the textures. It runs well enough, but might not set it to max graphics automatically.

This entry in Homeworld series stands alone because of its setting, but that's what makes the game so unique. Since the first mission, it immediately reminded me of Dune 2000 and Emperor: Battle for Dune visually. One of the most beautiful RTS games to date, on par with Grey Goo and Company of Heroes 2. Gameplay-wise, it has core Homeworld elements, so even though the setting was changed, the mechanics, pacing and overall feeling of the game is undoubtedly Homeworld. Must have.

I'm not a guy who likes strategy games, but this game is just amazing. First thing is, this game is a very good and solid prequel to the original "Homeworld". It is clearly seen that the guys from "Blackbird interactive" are really liked working on this game and they put their soul in it. The campaign storyline is very interesting, even that I already knew from the start what will be in outcome (because I played the original "Homeworld") I still enjoyed the campaign. All the cutscenes and videos in between the levels are looks just as a good Sci Fi movie. The in-game graphics is beautiful. The idea with all these huge machines traveling desert, is brilliant. Overall it is a very good real time strategy game by its own, and a very good prequel to an original "Homeworld". So for people who never played the original "Homeworld" I would recommend to start with this game. Because first thing, this is a prequel, so why not starting from the beginning? The second thing is. This game have much easier controls because the units are moving on "X" and "Y" axes only like in most strategy games, while in the original "Homeworld" the "Z" axis is also used, because the original game set in space, so the ships are not binded to the ground and can move in any direction, which makes it harder to control. I will give this game a 5 stars. And I would definitely recommend it even to a people like me who don't like much the RTS games. This game is just unique Sci Fi peace of art.