Homeworld

 PC
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 413 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 356 out of 413
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 413
  3. Negative: 25 out of 413
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  1. MichaelG.
    Sep 9, 2006
    10
    I picked this out of a bargain bin and wow was I suprised. This game is a funny one, at first you don't get what the fuss is about. Sure the graphics are amazing, but the single player seems slow and unimpressive. However, once you fight a battle later in the game you will be hooked forever. The battles are intense and your tactics must be spot on or your whole fleet will be space I picked this out of a bargain bin and wow was I suprised. This game is a funny one, at first you don't get what the fuss is about. Sure the graphics are amazing, but the single player seems slow and unimpressive. However, once you fight a battle later in the game you will be hooked forever. The battles are intense and your tactics must be spot on or your whole fleet will be space dust. There are all sorts of great tactical devices to use in battles too such as cloaking generators, gravity wells, shielded frigates, mine layers etc. All adding to the fun. Even now, 4 years later i still play this game regularly. I still find new ways of completing it and the great soundtrack and graphics make the whole experience an amazing one. The only downside to this game is that after you've defeated all the enemies on a level you must wait for your resource collectors to finish collecting everything which can take a VERY long time on some levels. You can move on to the next level if you dont want to wait but resources are so tight in this game that you cant afford to just leave it behind. In fact if I lose a Heavy Cruiser - the most expensive ship in the game, I reload the level (unless its the last level). An automatic resource collection feature would've been nice when you leave to the next level. Appart from that one flaw this is one of the greatest games ever made. Easy to learn but impossible to master it has me hooked forever! Forget about Cataclysm and Homeworld 2, this is the original and one of the greatest ever strategy games. Now, wheres the cd...… Expand
  2. MeestykIcebolt(We'redestined)
    Aug 30, 2007
    10
    Flashback: I used to play this game back when it was out. I waited for reviews before picking this up. 2 weeks later, Homeworld became my only desire for weeks on end. Even now, it taunts me from the CD shelf. If you've never played Homeworld and you're into this kind of game, you've been missing out. A classic gem. What are you waiting for?
  3. RyanM.
    Sep 9, 2007
    10
    Absolutely astonishing gameplay. The simple interface is nice and allows beginners to easily adjust to the uniquely great gameplay. Hotkeys speed things up and the option to remove certain effects from the game such as bullet effects can speed things up for the people with older computers. Even with the graphics engine I would still prefer this game to almost any present day console game. Absolutely astonishing gameplay. The simple interface is nice and allows beginners to easily adjust to the uniquely great gameplay. Hotkeys speed things up and the option to remove certain effects from the game such as bullet effects can speed things up for the people with older computers. Even with the graphics engine I would still prefer this game to almost any present day console game. Long and tedious missions actually require you to think instead of just building a huge fleet and bombarding the enemy, because of this it stays away from a stereotypical approach to gameplay. Soundtrack is one of the best I've heard in any videogame, right up there with final fantasy and halo games. A well placed music track of Adagio for Strings really shines. The soundtrack and the game are definately worth your buy.… Expand
  4. BillFan
    Apr 30, 2004
    10
    Great! The 3D effects are awesome!
  5. JoshM.
    Jul 2, 2005
    10
    This game was one of the first and best fully 3d RTS games and it succeded in creating a great game experience as well as a great story, which is something usually missing from aRTS.
  6. ErikM.
    Apr 14, 2009
    10
    From the opening with Angus Dei to the closing credits with Yes' "The Ladder", this game is an experience unlike any other. I was eight years old when I started playing, and the (at the time) top of the line graphics coupled with a totally unique (and, 10 years later, an asofyet not replicated) gameplay engine amde this game the best I have ever played. I became a relic nut after it. From the opening with Angus Dei to the closing credits with Yes' "The Ladder", this game is an experience unlike any other. I was eight years old when I started playing, and the (at the time) top of the line graphics coupled with a totally unique (and, 10 years later, an asofyet not replicated) gameplay engine amde this game the best I have ever played. I became a relic nut after it. The intrigueing storyline chronicling the journey home of a set of exiles along wiith the beautiful animations that serve as cutscenes will draw anyone in in a heartbeat. If you're a fan of RTS games, this is a must buy, regardless of the date on the calander.… Expand
  7. Senn
    Jul 14, 2009
    10
    When I first got this game nearly a decade ago, I thought it was the single greatest video game ever made. It was down right gorgeous, the story was amazing, the soundtrack flawless, and the multiplayer community was the best bunch of misfits I'd ever had the pleasure to be a part of. I just recently started it up again for old time's sake, and I still consider it the greatest When I first got this game nearly a decade ago, I thought it was the single greatest video game ever made. It was down right gorgeous, the story was amazing, the soundtrack flawless, and the multiplayer community was the best bunch of misfits I'd ever had the pleasure to be a part of. I just recently started it up again for old time's sake, and I still consider it the greatest game ever made. Homeworld is the single most cinematic gaming experience I have ever had.… Expand
  8. TrystinY
    Sep 9, 2009
    10
    I bought this game when i was 10 and thought it was awsome. I couldn't get far in the single player player campaign though because it requires a huge amount of skill and strategy. however I thought that the multiplayer was great (and still do). I came back a few years later and attempted the single player campaign again and it was ninja gaiden hard. Every level your up against a I bought this game when i was 10 and thought it was awsome. I couldn't get far in the single player player campaign though because it requires a huge amount of skill and strategy. however I thought that the multiplayer was great (and still do). I came back a few years later and attempted the single player campaign again and it was ninja gaiden hard. Every level your up against a fleet much larger than your own, but this game is just so addicting you just can't stop playing, you don't care how hard or how long it takes to get to the end. The story line is also engrossing. you can't help but not feel bad for these guys. and of the 3-15 days you put into restarting levels and having more of your fleet survive to the end of the level so they carry over to next level. (yes they do that).However when you finnaly get to the last level and the second there seems to be slightest chance you could win against a fleet 5 (yes)5 times the size of yours, (lots of both strategy and skill involved) your heart skips a beat. once you are about to finnaly ahnillate the enemy it's almost impossible not to start a victory dance. You have just put so much effort into it that you can't help but celebrate.… Expand
  9. Sean
    Feb 20, 2006
    10
    This game changed the way I viewed computer games... more than just a way to kill time, it was truley compelling and satisfying, an amazing virtual world in which you could control an entire fleet through a gripping story, with complex strategies and gorgeous graphics to boot. Oh, and a note on the visuals in this game - they were so ahead of thier time, they still hold impressive to this This game changed the way I viewed computer games... more than just a way to kill time, it was truley compelling and satisfying, an amazing virtual world in which you could control an entire fleet through a gripping story, with complex strategies and gorgeous graphics to boot. Oh, and a note on the visuals in this game - they were so ahead of thier time, they still hold impressive to this very day, rivaling anything you'll see on many of today's consoles. Amazing.… Expand
  10. TimP.
    Aug 13, 2006
    10
    As easy to learn as it is hard to master, 7 years later I'm still learning about it.
  11. TiberiuC.
    Nov 22, 2007
    10
    To put it simply: no, there has not been any other game like Homeworld since Homeworld. Or since Homeworld 2. I was never into space strategy games, but Homeworld changed that for me. One of the best games to come out of the Golden Era of PC gaming (that is the end on the 90s). I am looking forward to Sins of a Solar Empire as a spiritual sequel.
  12. ChadM.
    Feb 5, 2008
    10
    Although I also enjoy it's two sequels, Catacylsm and HW2, this original has an undifined touch of score and epicness.
  13. ElliottC
    Jul 23, 2008
    10
    This game is easily a top 10'er of all time. It brought 3d strategy to life in endless back drop up galaxies and stars. The manuevering of vehicles, the unit voices, the brilliance of the explosions and lasers ripping through the screen. The controls were simple, smart, easy to use. The single player campaign made you feel you the responsibility to progress. Homeworld was a game that This game is easily a top 10'er of all time. It brought 3d strategy to life in endless back drop up galaxies and stars. The manuevering of vehicles, the unit voices, the brilliance of the explosions and lasers ripping through the screen. The controls were simple, smart, easy to use. The single player campaign made you feel you the responsibility to progress. Homeworld was a game that alot of people dreamed of for a while, and it finally came. Dune II, Warcraft, C&C, and Homeworld are the founders of present and future RTS games. Of course the god father of RTS is the board game RISK!… Expand
  14. deusexmakina
    Nov 5, 2010
    10
    This is a space opera. The design is directly inspired by those sci-fi book cover you can find at second hand bookstore, the music is just beautiful and fit so well the atmosphere and the action of the game. For many players, the game looks too complicate as you are dealing with a 3 dimension tactical map, but if you hang on and master it (not that difficult, just need some practice), thenThis is a space opera. The design is directly inspired by those sci-fi book cover you can find at second hand bookstore, the music is just beautiful and fit so well the atmosphere and the action of the game. For many players, the game looks too complicate as you are dealing with a 3 dimension tactical map, but if you hang on and master it (not that difficult, just need some practice), then the payback is huge. The other thing player find very difficult is that you start a mission with what you had in the previous one (or what you lack of). But there is nothing better to let you feel in total immersion, and catch a COS "completion obsession syndrome", where you will try to take over as much as enemy ship before getting to the next level (i finished the game with a hundred ion fregate (at 5fps, back on my p3 667). I played it again, this time on a 1080p projector... wow. Do yourself a favor, buy this game, wait the night to come, put your best headphone, launch the game all lights out, and listen to "ave maria".… Expand
  15. kilmindaro
    Mar 8, 2011
    10
    I played it for the first time about five years after it was released, I didn't expect much as the price was pretty low. How was I surprised when the game turned to be so awesome. Great story and the climate, amazing music and art, as well as great graphic. First game to fully utilize full 3d combat and movement in space. And what combat it is! Sure, the controls can be confusing a bit atI played it for the first time about five years after it was released, I didn't expect much as the price was pretty low. How was I surprised when the game turned to be so awesome. Great story and the climate, amazing music and art, as well as great graphic. First game to fully utilize full 3d combat and movement in space. And what combat it is! Sure, the controls can be confusing a bit at the beginning, but it's nothing a few minutes in tutorial can't fix. The story is simply amazing. Enthralling, one may say, and If you have a heart somewhere there inside your flesh, you will be moved by it. Maybe even to tears. All in all, amazing game.… Expand
  16. Skulb
    Apr 16, 2014
    10
    Half RTS, half space aquarium, Homeworld is one of the few essential titles any strategy fan needs to have played. Even replaying this amazing game more than a decade later it is still unsurpassed as far as game play, graphics and sound is concerned. The single player campaign is on my list of essential sci fi literature along with Alien, Star Wars and Starcraft. And on top of theHalf RTS, half space aquarium, Homeworld is one of the few essential titles any strategy fan needs to have played. Even replaying this amazing game more than a decade later it is still unsurpassed as far as game play, graphics and sound is concerned. The single player campaign is on my list of essential sci fi literature along with Alien, Star Wars and Starcraft. And on top of the spectacular pacing of the story comes great visuals, tremendous sound and tough as nails tactics. At every turn you feel as if you really are way out in space, and some of the scenarios are breathtaking and feel really lethal. The single best feature of the game for me is the fact that all your forces carry on between missions, giving you a chance to plan out your fleet from the start as well as a powerful urge not to lose any ships. Needless to say this is pretty hard to accomplish. On top of this resources are tight as a drum, and you`ll happily fly for ten minutes each way just to pick up a single grain of space dust if you have to.

    If any negatives can be found they are negligible. However for people unaccustomed to RTS games Homeworld will be very tough to get to grips with beyond the first couple of levels. Even once the relatively tricky procedure of learning how to control your fleet in 3D is done with, the campaign is just unbelievably hard. It is hard in all the right ways though, and doesn`t cheat you. But still I can see it being a bit overwhelming for many people.
    Secondly, I have also identified a graphical bug which causes the occasional star to stick on the left edge of the view after it should have disappeared off screen. And finally in Homeworld there is a powerful compulsion to remain in each zone until every last resource has been gathered by your slow moving harvesters. This is because you need all of it, and it really does take the odd half hour for this to get done on some levels. And because people complained about it a high speed gathering function was added for the sequels. But this is an artifact of the gaming community in the classic PC era, which was composed of very patient people, quite unlike today. It was expected that games would reward patience as well as skill, planning, overview and tactical ability. Personally I loved it (And I detested the fast gathering in Cataclysm and Homeworld 2, possibly as the only person in the world.) since it gave me a welcome break between the hectic missions during which I could watch the backgrounds and listen to the relaxing music. Anyone who doesn`t need a breather after the intense missions in Homeworld should have their blood pressure and other vitals checked..
    If none of this turns you off then go get Homeworld with all appropriate haste! It is one of the most flawless games ever released for the PC    … Expand
  17. MikeLeRoi
    Nov 17, 2011
    10
    I was waiting for this game some months, and bought it right away after it's release. It's a deep strategy game, with great graphics, story and awesome sound (not only music).
    Full of that kind of details that make a good game a great one. Unfortunately I have never found again a RTS game like this. Highs: everything except it's low
    Lows: Sometimes can be slow (worse when replaying missions)
  18. FluffyBegemot
    Dec 21, 2011
    10
    A extremely important moment in gaming history. Relic took the RTS format and added an additional dimension in a space strategy game that arguably has yet to be bested. The singleplayer experience is moving, challenging and memorable. Quite possibly one of the best games ever.
  19. UltraGamer
    Mar 31, 2012
    10
    I can't praise this game highly enough. This game should get 20/20 it is probably my favourite game of all time. BRING ON HOMEWORLD 3. How can anyone give this game less than 10.
  20. Ade_the_Rare
    Jun 13, 2012
    10
    Massively ahead of it's time, and few modern releases even get close to this for it's gameplay. Never playing this game is as much a crime as never playing Deus Ex; it should be taught in frikkin schools.
  21. Mike_Morhaime
    Jul 30, 2012
    10
    One of my all time favorite Strategy games, and i think one of the first of its kind. It has its own style and i would go ahead and say even today it could be enjoyed by someone who never played it before
  22. rawsl
    Mar 5, 2013
    10
    Homeworld is a marvelous game which aged very well. What really stands out are story, gameplay and music/ sound which create an incredible deep atmosphere which isn't reached by any other RTS till now.
  23. still_guns
    Apr 14, 2013
    10
    Very hard not to love this game. Great game-play, beautiful graphics for the time and very advanced as well. Even today, there is little that can match it.
  24. d4nny_b01
    Jul 16, 2013
    10
    This game is awesome. My dad showed this game to me and told me to play it. I'll admit at first sight this thing looks so damn boring but when you really take your time and play this game, single player and multiplayer becomes a friggen Star Trek simulator, I love it!
  25. Jub
    Mar 2, 2015
    10
    I won't sit here and say that you're going to love this game simply because RTS games aren't for everyone. I on the other hand love this game. It's one of my all time favourites and sits amongst a select few that I believe deserve a 10/10.

    The visuals, music, gameplay and story are all top notch. Buy the remastered version.
  26. Axeface
    Jul 13, 2014
    10
    An aesthetic masterpiece, outstanding challege and balance, fantastic and moving story - Homeworld is one of the few masterpieces in gaming history and is an absolute joy to play, and offers impeccable accessibility - I will never forget this game.
  27. mAdZeRG
    Dec 4, 2022
    10
    Tout simplement le meilleur jeu de ma collection perso

    L'ambiance, la musique, le scénario, les commandes immersives sans HUD, la liberté totale de mouvement dans l'espace ... Whoua :) Dans la version de base de HW1 de 1998 les différentes formations des groupes unités ont un comportement hyper réaliste ; la "boule" pour protéger un batiment, la pointe pour attaquer ou le X pour    Tout simplement le meilleur jeu de ma collection perso

    L'ambiance, la musique, le scénario, les commandes immersives sans HUD, la liberté totale de mouvement dans l'espace ... Whoua :)

    Dans la version de base de HW1 de 1998 les différentes formations des groupes unités ont un comportement hyper réaliste ; la "boule" pour protéger un batiment, la pointe pour attaquer ou le X pour maximiser la puissance de feu. En plus chaque munition a sa propre ballistique et on pouvait choisir quelle partie des gros vaisseaux adverses on souhaitait endommager (moteurs, réacteurs, tourelles, canons).

    Des bons souvenirs :)    … Expand
  28. karansjet
    Oct 1, 2014
    10
    This is one of the very first games I ever played and it left such a big mark on me.
    The music is amazing the game-play and graphics were years ahead of it's time and the remastered version is one of the most anticipated games in my book.
  29. Kharcov
    Jan 27, 2015
    10
    I have seen the face of God..
    And it's in Space. .
  30. Xaardas
    Jan 29, 2015
    10
    One of the most epic and entertaining games ever created. This game (HW 1 & 2 + Cataclysm witch is unfortunately not available in the Remastered Edition) has almost everything. A deep and thrilling story, powerful music and a very unique style of playing. Of course the mechanics are now around 15 Years old, but it is still a true challenger to the modern space setting strategy games.One of the most epic and entertaining games ever created. This game (HW 1 & 2 + Cataclysm witch is unfortunately not available in the Remastered Edition) has almost everything. A deep and thrilling story, powerful music and a very unique style of playing. Of course the mechanics are now around 15 Years old, but it is still a true challenger to the modern space setting strategy games. Especially the three dimensional maps require a whole new level of thinking when it comes to strategy.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PC Game of 1999
6
#6 Most Discussed PC Game of 1999
2
#2 Most Shared PC Game of 1999

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. All Game Guide
    100
    Simply one of those titles that makes you say "Wow." You'll have to pick your jaw up off the floor when you experience it for the first time. It is a rare gem; an awesome feat of programming, graphical design, and sound production, all wrapped around superb gameplay. It deserves the highest praise.
    Read full review
  2. GameSpot
    90
    With its stunning 3D engine, uniquely challenging gameplay in both single- and multiplayer modes, great audio, and terrific story, Homeworld is both an excellent game and one that may well reshape the entire real-time strategy genre.
    Read full review
  3. Gaming Age
    91
    Not only has control of this environment been handled well, but the smoothness of overall presentation and gameplay seem to reflect an excellence from RTS titles that we should all be looking forward to in the future.
    Read full review
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