I wrote a review in the game’s page, some years ago, long after the first time I played it. I finished it again recently and I can’t stress enough the quality of “Deserts of Kharak”! So, I want to make this post in all store’s pages relevant to the game (as GOG doesn’t allow to modify our existent reviews), and prompt anyone (who likes strategy games, that is) to buy it!
It is the prequel of all Homeworld games. There are 13 missions, which I would guess took me around 20-25 h in total. A strategy game that looks more like the tactical strategy genre (no base building, you are constantly on the move), than the normal strategy genre. Of course, this makes sense in the overall story of having a carrier, which you must get to a specific place on your planet.
Also, the carrier can’t be placed at one spot for the entirety of each mission, but it has to be moving around. That’s because the resources are very scattered on each map (no one spot with too much of it), which makes you to have to constantly move around the map with your units, and the carrier has to be near too, as if it gets destroyed, it’s game over!
Another thing to praise is the sound. You will be listening to every person (inside his/her unit), as if you hear them through radio communication, which I really never found tiresome to be hearing! On the contrary, I was feeling I was "along with them" too!
The resources you collect, as well as the upgrades you perform, and the units you create, all follow up through the next missions.
Three difficulty levels. I played it on normal and, while there were some tense moments (as expected), nothing "cheaty" from the game. With a different approach, all can be done!
