During The Game Awards 2021, Gearbox Software and Blackbird Interactive finally showcased the gameplay ofHomeworld 3. The triumphant return of the classic series marks the first original, non-spinoffHomeworldgame since 2003’sHomeworld 2.
TheHomeworldseries is an iconic section of the real-time strategy genre, giving players command of massive fleets to defend the Kushan Mothership in fully 3D environments.Homeworld 3looks to continue the series as a direct sequel, unlike the 2016 prequelDeserts of Kharak.
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Ever sinceHomeworld 3started funding on Figback in 2019, news aboutHomeworld 3has been somewhat sparse. Coverage of the game could have also contributed, since RTS games are becoming an increasingly niche genre in recent years, possibly due to its lack of presence on consoles. Finally, though, the gameplay debut ofHomeworld 3is out and already looking like an incredibly promising follow-up. The release is slated for Q4 2022 but presumably more news will follow to keep fans excited.
While gameplay is seen in the trailer, the command interface itself does not appear. However, it is unlikely that Blackbird Interactive will change it very much from the established one used in the original series andDeserts of Kharak. Gameplay in both is segmented, with sweeping strategic decisions and long-distance movement made through a zoomed-out Sensors Manager view while more precise commands such as specific targets can be issued through the normal, closer view. Gamersplay missions throughout extensive campaigns, collecting resources to expand a fleet of combat and research ships.
The story possibilities forHomeworld 3are many; the lore of theHomeworldseries is deep, with many locations, units and characters already established. The ending ofHomeworld 2leaves many possibilities for the following story, but how long afterHomeworld 2’s ending the third game begins remains to be seen. Given thepositive receptionHomeworld Remastered Collectionreceived, this new chapter in theHomeworlduniverse will likely be a memorable one.
While most of theHomeworldgames are available on Steam as part of the remastered collection,Homeworld Cataclysmhas somehow slipped under the radar; it wasexcluded from theHomeworldremastered collection, despite it having its own story and taking a very different and unique approach to theHomeworlduniverse. The issue could be in the name; “Cataclysm” is a registered trademark of Blizzard Entertainment, making the legality of using the word difficult. However,Homeworld Cataclysmwas officially re-released on Good Old Games asHomeworld Emergence, so the more likely reason is that the original source code could have been lost over the years, a sadly common occurrence in game development.
