So, I can review this game with a complete lack of nostalgia goggles, since I just purchased it on GOG and have no experience with it prior. The good: -An environmentally appropriate bluegrass soundtrack. -Easy to understand basic gameplay. -Colorful, if somewhat minimalistic graphics. The bad: -Advanced concepts like when to buy a business can be unintuitive for people without previous experience, so I recommend watching a "Let's Play" before going particularly far in the campaign. -The cargo distribution maps are oddly primitive looking compared to the rest of the graphics. Summary: If you like business simulator/strategy games, give it a shot.
Pretty much what is says on the tin. Some of the powerups are a touch vague on what they do.
Homeworld 1 is a classic. Homeworld 2 is only remembered well by people with nostalgia goggles. Homeworld Remastered turns both games into Homeworld 2. In the case of Homeworld 1, this means that the difficulty ramps to unplayable levels due to a fleet-size-based scaling function that was clearly not tested by the developers. Effective strategy on level 2 makes level 3 an instant game over without mods. Essentially, this is a one-star review with a second star added for having the original Homeworld 1 attached.
This game has great, retro-pixely graphics that really showcase the cyberpunk theme. The music is likewise excellent. Some of the puzzles are unintuitive and use a bit of fridge logic. The most frustrating aspect of the puzzles is that many characters behave inconsistently, or just not like humans. For example: In one puzzle, you have to distract a character. When you think you have the character distracted, he will react to you touching certain items behind him, but doesn't react when you do a specific thing to them. But, if he reacts when you touch the item, how are you supposed to know you can stealthily interact with the object when he clearly "sees" you? In another puzzle, you are surrounded by people who are effectively your allies, and they ask you to do something trivial for them, but they won't help you get items for the appointed task that are literally in the same room. Most of the puzzles aren't that bad, and the gameplay is smooth and responsive. Overall, I'd say the game is worth playing, especially if you catch a sale (not that the price is bad normally). If possible, I would have given this 3.5 stars.
