Disclaimer : This review is based on singleplayer campaign experience only - I do not plan to play MP. This game is very nice introduction to Homeworld story line, which now thanks to GoG is complete thanks to HW:Emergence (previously known as Cataclysm). The fans will find nice little things, newcomers will taste the the story of Homeworld. Even though the story is not going to win a price, it is very nicely written and I enjoyed it. The gameplay of singleplayer is... well rather straightforward, and I made it through smoothly with no great issues (unless I screwed big time). I appreciate the "checkpoint" autosave on longer missions. From strategical view, the game is rather... flat-ish. Even though there are few non-traditional elements (mobile HQ carrier and so) in the end most effective strategy in campaign is to get biggest units available and steamroll over enemy. Despite that I did not feel bored and I enjoyed the story while playing very relaxed RTS. Note: MP will probably find more use for smaller, quick units for rushes, hit'n'run, flanking and disturb actions, however not in singleplayer. The overall evalutaion is... difficult. The game is... nice, it definitely is worth of paying for and playing. I do recommend it. However, being ithe Homeworld franchise - it is very poor sister to the big three titles we already had. On the other hand... it fills the little gaps in story, it adds nice details and touch to the origin of Higaarans (you wont hear of them in HW:DoK and I won't spoil it). It has some good moments, but lacks the depth of the other HW games. Four stars it is then... but I would lower it to 75% for kind of missed potential. Nevertheless, I do recommend the game, especialy to HW franchise fans - not for depth of gameplay, but for the story. Nice game, worth of play.
Yes, it is short... However I had a great time playing it. In my case it was refreshing to have something with such dark atmosphere and on some occasions (no spoilers) it really made me thinking. It's a interesting ride and I would recommend it as kind of different platformer from dark world. Albeit it is really no survival, a nice platformer with interesting story - absolutely. Sure I could pick some cons, like some story plots were... rough. Also while I understand the reasons I did not like the way a backstory is being told. Found diary pages? Come on... The game did slightly lose its atmopshere near the end for me as there was more action, but it was still very nice ride till the end. Unfortunately despite being... different and not absolutely cliché, the story... was predictable through last act and imho the "big finale" was weakly... performed, yet very strong in its depth. (even though I anticipated it before). The actual gameplay? I would call it something between first (the 80s) Prince of Persia and the modern(ish) This War of Mine. First giving core gameplay, later giving atmosphere and visual. Both great titles and so even Deadlight is very nice. Yet... kind of short and sometimes you feel the great potencial being wasted. Albeit I will not replay it straight away, I think in some time I will gladly come back and play the story of Randall Wayne again.
In case you are attracted by "aerospace" - this game is for you. In case you like constructing, planing, exploding, flying and experimenting - this game is for you. It is definitely not for everybody. In case you are not interested in space exploration, then a game about space exploration probably won't be a best shot. But if you are "space positive" - go and get this. The game will teach you, and yes despite some reviews here, it will teach you a lot. It won't make you a scientist, and no it does not qualify anybody to build actual rockets. It teaches elementary basics of rocket launching, orbital manneuvers, interplanetary manneuvers - all in very enjoyable form. Sure, it is simplified down to "game" level, yet it actualy teaches. What I find best is ... mods. Would you like a life support? Pick a mod. Real(ish) signal issues? Pick a mod. Radiation issues? Pick a mod. Realistic scale of system, additional planets, improved aerodynamics, decaying orbit? Pick it... Additional parts? Pick a mod. Sci-fi parts? Pick a mod! I guess you get it... and small hint here - if you are into mods (and you will be, sooner or later) - give a try to CKAN (app). Small warning - since I bought the game, I do not play anything else (almost), I do not sleep (almost), I daydream my missions, constructions and plans (allways)... And the best part? It is still fun! The community is also superb. And if you get confused? Write "Scott Manley" into your browser... and watch and learn :)
I have this game on Steam for a while, and I just had to buy it here as well recently (thanks for the discount). This is an awesome game, but be warned: This is game is not a RTS ! The trailer shows only in- game graphics, not actual game style. Its grapic teaser, more than trailer. Actualy, thanks to that, the game is FAR MORE BETTER, but DIFFERENT. This is not a classic RTS. Once more : This is not action RTS. You do not build, you do not spam, you do not micro, you do not have fog of war. Instead you carefully progress with your units, providing them with fuel and ammo, keeping their morale up and properly using recon units. In solo campaign your armies are persistent and you can pick units yourself, in multiplayer you can build your army as you wish from hundreds of historicaly accurate units, while not necessarily being limited by era as you are in solo (though you can build an "era" or "state" limited army). This game is based in the cold war era, both units and solo campaign story. The game is very challenging, and it requires you to learn data about units (tons of them). Closest game to this is turn based SPWAW, but due to real-time, 3D and different era, Wargame:EE is very different game anyway. It is slower than its succesor titles (AirLand Battle and Red Dragons), but I would personally say, its closer to reality thanks to that. Both games of Ground Control are the closest I can think of now to the style of this excellent game, by "first-look". But SPWAW is closer in game mechanics. Possibilities of tactics and strategies are literally endless, and this game is totaly worthy playing, especialy in multiplayer. Just do not expect classic RTS. This is totaly different. This is RTS as is SWAT FPS, yes it does use simillar mechanics, but its noting like others. Deffinitelty worth the money, if you are into this style of game. But I STRONGLY RECOMMEND - watch a gameplay video on youtube.com, to not expect someting this game is not, like some reivewers did
As I wrote in review to BG:Original Saga - this is one of best RPG's ever. Again no need to introduction, but keep in mind, Enhanced Edition may look softer, but it is a plastic surgery - just not the original. When I was young, this game was brand new and good looking. Well as I did grow older, the game did aswell. Yes you may encounter now its Enhanced surrogate, but still this is the game I love and no softer resolution will make me to change my preferences. As for women, even in games I do prefer the original to plastic surgery/enhanced, even though you can see the time passed. If you have enjoyed the game then, you do not need Enhanced version today neither. (However I do respect the work behind the Enhanced Editions, as they bring it to younger players, who did not encounter the original)
I do not think it is necessary to introduce this game. If you love old school RPG's, you know it... I would just like to highlight, I do prefer this (also cheaper) version to the Enhanced. I love to play old games, and I do not see a reason to turn it to HD and add 4 shallow characters. I do own BG and BG:2 - so I do install both, install BGTuTu mode, and it turns the Original Saga into BG:2 engine, so you have better interface (my point of view, you can change it back to BG1 style) higher resolution and just saved nice amount of money. Do you want to play Baldursgate? Buy this, avoid Enhanced. While I respect the love and work invested in now trendy Enhancing old games, I do avoid it. To me, it feels like plastic surgery on a woman. Yes it works, but it is no longer the original. And as in case of women, even in games, I do enjoy rather the original, even though you can see the age. Especialy as I did not aged less through the time :-)
I have to admit, I bought this just because I received a huge discount and as I was making a bigger purchase, it was only a minor part of it, to round the price ( 15 € does look far better to me, than 13.80 € :-) ). It had the smallest installer from all those purchased games, so I gave it a try as first... To make the long story short, it took couple of weeks before I got to other games, and I still do play it a lot. I am still amazed by the feeling of freedom, the geniality of "drive" in game, as you do not get any story, no target or anything, and yet you find urself after couple of hours, still in-game exploring, and following a "story" of yourself. You are given some milestones and hints ( spoiler : world infestation ), but you have to fill it with the purpose anyway. From my experience, I do recommend to avoid any guides or walkthroughs. I just loved to explore the game system itself. I was amased to figure out crafting, house principles, NPC's, bosses or events. Do you have a couple of long lonely nights at computer ahead of yourself? Then make a new character, new BIG world and just try it. I can guarantee, you will not be disapointed ( if this survival/explore/RPG-kinda game is your cup of tea, of course ). It is somehow similar (warning : it is a long-shot) to DayZ - you start in a dangerous world with nothing. You can die and you will die a lot. But at the end, if you succeed in every challenge the world throws at you, well you will conquer the world itself :-) And a small SPOILER : hint for new ppl to this game - do not kill the voodoo demon above the lava. Do not ask me why, I wont tell, but as this is going to happen to you anyway, do not worry - it can be killed, but the first time you see it, ( hey a voodo demon, kill it, ... ... sh*t! :-) ) you will die. And its not final, this is just the world is only warming up :-D
