- Publisher: Gearbox Software , Gearbox Publishing
- Release Date: May 13, 2024
- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
- Unscored
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Jun 25, 2024Although not quite the triumphant homecoming fans hoped for, Homeworld 3 is still a sleek and at times spectacular space RTS.
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Jun 16, 2024Ultimately, Homeworld 3 doesn’t quite hit the mark, but it does manage to demonstrate at least part of what made the series so compelling originally. If the game achieves nothing else, I hope it manages to reignite some interest in the series, or at least the concept. I think there’s a lot yet to explore with Real Time Strategy in a 3D space, and I know I’ll be looking to get a hold of the previous games to see what they did with it.
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Edge MagazineJun 13, 2024Homeworld 3 isn't quite the homecoming we had hoped for. At worst competent, at best exceptional, it has been crafted with evident care, though the originals still cast a shadow as dense as a black hole's event horizon. [Issue#399, p.108]
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May 30, 2024Despite not being up to par with the first installments, it makes up for its dull narrative and its problems with the artificial intelligence of the units with its unique gameplay, a very varied campaign and an overwhelming visual display.
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May 23, 2024Homeworld 3 is a good game and a very enjoyable space opera, but it seriously lacks consistency nonetheless.
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May 17, 2024Homeworld 3 is a solid game for new and returning RTS players. Creating massive armies and watching the digital chaos unfold is one of my favorite parts of this genre, and Homeworld 3 does it better than most RTS games I’ve played. With that said, diehard Homeworld fans will be polarized about this campaign. Waiting over two decades for a story that abandons the principles of its predecessors is a tough pill to swallow. And when you consider the paltry post-campaign offerings, I find it difficult to recommend Homeworld 3 at full price. It’s a good game that could be great with some patches and DLC, but as of now, I’d sit this one out.
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May 17, 2024A flawed sequel, that undermines some of the original games’ greatest pleasures, but this is still a uniquely enjoyable real-time strategy, with plenty of interesting new ideas.
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May 10, 2024After decades of waiting, Homeworld 3 pushes the beloved space RTS series in new directions with megalithic terrain putting a fresh spin on combat, and a bitesized roguelite War Games mode, but still retains so much of the original tone and style. It doesn't quite stick the landing in some areas, and there's rough edges to improve, but I simply love being back in this setting and series.
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May 10, 2024Homeworld's operatic space combat is as engrossing as ever in its third outing, although a weaker story and a slightly odd cover system dim the shine of its star.
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May 10, 2024Homeworld 3’s campaign is a majestic space odyssey showcasing some of the innovative spirit of its predecessors and its presentation is stunning. Though its co-op elements are founded on a good idea, the War Games mode feels like it cuts away some of the best aspects of the game in the rush to be a portion-sized multiplayer experience for the modern age. It’s an enjoyable space RTS before being a strong Homeworld title.
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Jun 20, 2024In 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.
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Jun 10, 2024A disappointing third entry that somehow manages to still be relatively fun. An abysmal story married to a fun roguelike gameplay mode makes for a still acceptable game that could, and should, have been much better.
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Sep 17, 2024The stellar visual experience of space combat is Homeworld 3’s only real strength. With a plot that’s easy to predict, limited strategies available and a cumbersome UI, Homeworld 3 is a game that we expected more from.
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Jul 22, 2024There are just a few development decisions, made too early or too late, that bring down the experience.
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May 10, 2024While Homeworld 3 looks the part and is a competent strategy game, the chaos of battle obscures much of the nuance of its new features.
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May 10, 2024Homeworld 3 did keep me engaged for a time thanks to gorgeous visuals and exciting tactical combat in the vastness of space. Performance-wise, I didn’t notice too many hiccups. With an Nvidia RTX 3080, Intel i9-10900K, and 32GB of RAM, I was able to select high graphical settings without a hitch. Unfortunately, the campaign’s story is a huge step down from previous installments. Missions, whether in the campaign or in multiplayer modes, are plagued by innumerable issues related to unit pathing, controls, and commands. It’s a disappointment that was 20 years in the making.
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May 21, 2024Is not as brilliant as I hoped after 20 years, but it's still a great and very special RTS. [Recommended]
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May 10, 2024Homeworld 3’s multiplayer modes deliver both a safe, traditional skirmish sandbox that we expect from any RTS and also a more novel, three-player co-op mode in War Games. The fact that the two factions are only slightly asymmetrical and the map selection is so slim makes skirmishes feel a little barebones, though as always Homeworld's three-dimensional strategy gameplay offers different opportunities to outthink your opponents in a style of competitive multiplayer battle you won't find elsewhere. Meanwhile, there’s a ton of immediate thrills and long-term potential in War Games thanks to its randomized upgrades that allow co-op partners to specialize their fleets to concentrate on taking down different types of threats and handle anything that might come their way. [Multiplayer Review Score = 80]
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May 10, 2024I think Homeworld 3 is an acquired taste. I am not sure that the random strategy game player, not to mention just a random human who enjoys games, would be willing to get over some of the rougher points of the game. It is as polished and friendly as a game like this can be, but I think that it can only meet you so far. At the end of the day, Homeworld 3 sells a fantasy of being a genius fused into the machinery of a spaceship who has constant vision and perspective on a vast, 3D battlefield. The game depicts this as perfectly as any game can, and turns it into nail-biting, if plodding, gameplay opportunities.
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May 10, 2024Homeworld 3 leaves me in the strange position where I want to play more of it, but I’ve basically had my fill of the campaign, I’ve got no interest in PvP, and War Games mode is silly difficult in single player. It’s like having a set of really nice brushes but no canvas, so to speak. I guess this is probably where mods come in - the game is supposed to be launching with built in support and tools on day one. I get that "It’ll be great with mods" doesn’t come across as a ringing endorsement, but to reiterate: Homeworld 3 is a pretty good time in a very good sci-fi setting. I can’t recommend it wholeheartedly, but I’m also hoping it finds enough of an audience that it paves the way for a more experimental sequel or expansion in the future - and if you've been longing for 21 years for a followup to Homeworld 2, I can’t see you being too disappointed.