For most Homeworld fans I daresay it was the prospect of remastering the original 1999 game that was the most exciting part of this project - not only on the basis of the HW:HW2 vote ratio on the community wishlist, but also because HW2 is still perfectly playable and the graphics reasonable whereas HW really shows its age. Sadly, the HW remaster - even on patch 2.0 - just feels fundamentally broken underneath and I am not sure it will ever be truly fixed whilst running on the heavily modified HW2 engine. The improved Homeworld 2 interface is welcome - as is the inclusion of a cut level from the game - but the formations, stances, and ship movement (that could turn battles when properly managed) still don't function properly and I am not sure they ever will. Overall ship balancing is also different, particularly with capital ship health pools being lower in a style closer to Homeworld 2. It is a pity since the ships and effects look so good, but ultimately gameplay trumps graphics. As for HW2 I cannot comment in too much detail as I never liked the way the game was balanced or the single player campaign, so I lack the experience to discern any significant changes to gameplay. Presumably though it has minor balancing tweaks coupled to a substantial graphical upgrade. Research trees in skirmishes did seem simpler and much faster than I recall for both versions, though. When all is said and done though you should still buy this as it also comes with both of the the original games - and that CD just won't last forever.
