The title says it all. Of the entire franchise, HW: Emergence (originally Cataclysm) is still the best follow up to the original strategy classic. The plot doesn't feel stupidly contrived, your units feel like an actual upgrade from the original ships, and the main antagonist is actually threatening (as opposed to stupid). The Beast infection organism feels like a civilization-ending threat instead of a deluded megalomaniac with a god complex. You genuinely feel that, if you don't stop it, then the galaxy is doomed. It also uses clever ploys in the plot, sending trojan horses your way and showing off how dangerous it can be. It doesn't get talked into taking stupid risks, it simply destroys obstacles and scares even the Bentusi in a way that feels like a particular nightmare to them. I highly recommend this strategy classic.
