Homeworld 3 (PC) Review

It’s been a long road, getting from there to here

It has been an exceptionally long road to Homeworld 3, the original Homeworld 2 released in 2003; and here we are 21 years later and finally are seeing the sequel. I loved Homeworld 2 when it first released, it had a captivating story about a people in search of their home. Graphics for the time were off the charts and it was a wonderful gameplay experience being able to control your forces in a completely third dimensional environments meant the ability to move in space how its intended. Homeworld 3 brings a lot of those things back to the table, but head scratchily throws away other things in this long-awaited entry in the sci-fi RTS series.

MSRP: $59.99
Platforms: PC
Price I’d Pay: $49.99

Let’s start with the positives: Homeworld 3’s graphics are undeniably impressive. The detailed ship designs and beautifully rendered space environments are a testament to modern gaming technology. Each celestial body and nebula feel alive with vibrant colors and atmospheric effects, making every skirmish and exploration mission a visual treat.

Unfortunately, where Homeworld 3 falters significantly is in its storytelling. Unlike its predecessors, which wove intricate narratives of struggle and survival against overwhelming odds, Homeworld 3’s story feels lackluster and disjointed. Characters lack depth, and their motivations often remain unclear or underdeveloped, robbing the narrative of emotional resonance and meaningful stakes. The narrative in this entry is all about a new Fleet Commander who ultimately ends up searching for the protagonist from the first two games. This was a neat way to connect the two games given the many years since we have heard from this franchise but I would have loved to see them do something new. It’s been a century in-game time since Homeworld 2, surely, we could’ve moved things along.

Gameplay mechanics, particularly the controls, are another sore point. Despite advancements in technology, commanding fleets in Homeworld 3 feels cumbersome and unintuitive. Maneuvering ships and issuing orders can be frustratingly imprecise, leading to moments of unnecessary confusion and delay in critical moments of gameplay. And its still baffling to me that the developers removed the ability to be able to move your fleets through hyperspace. This tactic would allow for players to warp in a fleet of ships right on top of an opponent’s base and was one of my favorite starting gambits in Homeworld.

The AI behavior further compounds these issues. Instead of providing a challenging opponent or reliable ally, the AI in Homeworld 3 often makes baffling decisions that defy strategic logic. This inconsistency not only breaks immersion but also diminishes the satisfaction of overcoming tactical challenges, turning what should be intense battles into exercises in frustration.

In conclusion, Homeworld 3 shines brightly in its graphical prowess, offering a visually captivating journey through the depths of space. However, its shortcomings in storytelling, controls, and AI behavior prevent it from reaching the heights set by its predecessors. For fans of the series expecting a seamless blend of compelling narrative and refined gameplay, Homeworld 3 may leave much to be desired.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.

Good
  • Simply gorgeous graphics, a series mainstay
Bad
  • Story was underwhelming
  • AI issues lead to frustrating matches
  • Devs removed more things than they added it felt like
6.5
Decent
Written by
Terrence spends his time going where no one has gone before mostly. But when not planning to take over the galaxy, he spends his time raising Chocobo and trying to figure out just how the sarlaac could pull Boba Fett’s ship with its engines firing FULL BLAST into it’s maw with relative ease; yet it struggled with Han Solo who was gripping *checks notes* SAND!