The lengthy, lengthy watch for a brand new Homeworld title is lastly coming to an in depth. This traditional RTS sequence as soon as stood toe-to-toe with the titans of the style comparable to StarCraft and Command and Conquer, however hasn’t been seen for the reason that sequel in 2003, apart from a newer prequel.
At the identical time, the complete RTS style has fallen from the grace it as soon as loved, with nearly not one of the main names present in that area anymore. However, we did get hints at a correct Homeworld sequel coming sooner or later after Gearbox bought the rights and launched the Homeworld Remastered Collection, a prequel sport referred to as Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak, and even a tabletop model of the sport. Here’s all the pieces we all know up to now about this RTS title.
Release window
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The particular date for Homeworld 3 isn’t set simply but, however will probably be coming someday in February 2024.
Platforms
RTS video games have dabbled within the console area, and solely not too long ago have there been a number of which might be simply okay on a controller, however the PC is Homeworld 3‘s true home. Thankfully we don’t have to fret in regards to the complexity of this sequence being compromised to work on a console since it’s confirmed that Homeworld 3 shall be PC unique and hit each Steam and the Epic Games retailer when it launches.
Trailer
The Game Awards lastly confirmed us the primary take a look at what gameplay in Homeworld 3 will seem like, plus some CGI scenes as nicely that set the tone.
We open with some narration in regards to the Khar-Toba, Guidestone, Diamond Shoals, and different deep Homeworld lore as stunning pictures of planets, asteroids, and galaxies are proven. Eventually we’re handled to some ships hovering throughout varied areas out and in of planetary orbit. Intercut with these establishing photographs are flashes of a lady in some type of tube full of fluid and linked through giant cables. For these unfamiliar, or who might have forgotten, that’s the sequence’ fundamental character Karan S’jet.
As the ship motion begins to accentuate, giving us cinematic appears at what the battles shall be, Karen begins waking up. When she does lastly open her eyes the narration kicks again in to say it hasn’t been so lengthy, or lengthy sufficient, earlier than the Homeworld 3 brand seems.
Based on that, nearly nothing in regards to the story may actually be gained, nonetheless, different sources have pulled a number of hints and bits about what the group desires to do with the narrative portion of the sport. According to the group, “prioritizing single-player has always been the case for Homeworld development” and that the principle parts of the sport shall be “exploration, redemption, and exodus.”
Just earlier than the newest trailer hit, there was quote from Blackbird CEO Rob Cunningham from an interview with IGN. “Homeworld 3 is the realization of the vision of what we set out to create in the Homeworld series, with modern technology allowing us to push beyond our wildest dreams of large-scale dynamic space combat packed with emotional sci-fi storytelling. We could not be more excited to debut the deepest look yet at gameplay with the incredible Homeworld community and the world at The Game Awards. We have got a lot more exciting details to share next year as we prepare for the launch of this massive next chapter.”
They additionally declare that they discovered lots from the brand new narrative strategies utilized in Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak, and consider that fashion of storytelling to be the long run for the sequence.
Homeworld 2’s story passed off a few years after the primary sport, and Homeworld 3 can even be set after a time skip at some extent the place the hyperspace gates are starting to fail. Cunningham has mentioned that “We wanted to put a bit of time after Homeworld 2 because we wanted the story to be about the consequences of Homeworld 2. As opposed to being a live feed of what takes place immediately after.”
Homeworld 3: Story Trailer – Gamescom Opening Night Live 2023
The story trailer got here a lot later at Gamescom 2023’s Opening Night Live. This trailer targeted on Intel Officer Isaac Paktu and Imogen S’Jet’s mission throughout the universe. After being hit by an unexpected strike by an enemy power often called the Incarnate, the crew is compelled to flee into one thing referred to as the Anomaly, which Karan S’Jet beforehand entered, however by no means returned from.
Gameplay
Image used with permission by copyright holder
This is the large query, however regardless of the final trailer saying it was the gameplay reveal, it was all shot from cinematic angles. We nonetheless haven’t really seen what actual gameplay appears like, in the way in which we’re going to actually expertise it, however it’s secure to imagine a number of essential bits. First, Homeworld 3 continues to be an RTS. It will construct on the 3D fashion that made it distinctive amongst its contemporaries on the time and continues to be fairly novel to today. With Homeworld 3, a brand new concentrate on planetary and area terrain shall be launched.
Massive buildings, or asteroids and different giant our bodies floating by way of area, will all play a tactical position in the way you place and assault models. It can be utilized to your benefit, comparable to for canopy, and even construct defensive constructions on them. This, constructed on the already complicated fashion of an RTS, and a totally 3D one which most individuals most likely haven’t been uncovered to, may result in a really steep studying curve. However, Cunningham has said that “We want it to be as seamless and intuitive as possible. The way you deal with how the camera works, how you issue move orders — we’ve simplified a great number of things and made it easier to get around. And in fact, in almost all cases, the introduction of space terrain actually makes it easier.”
In phrases of scale, Homeworld 3 appears to take the style to a brand new degree of element. It is touted to have model new ships with totally simulated ballistics and ship and unit injury that may persist between missions. If that injury might be fastened, or if it’ll influence that unit’s effectiveness, continues to be unclear.
Multiplayer
Yes, Homeworld 3 could have varied multiplayer modes, however particulars are scarce. What we do know for certain is that it is possible for you to to go head-to-head in opposition to different gamers on-line in a one-on-one match, in addition to in a free-for-all fashion, although the variety of gamers that mode will help wasn’t shared. The most fascinating tease the builders have shared is a few type of rogue-like co-op mode. For now, we’re left with the promise of extra info coming as the sport will get nearer to launch.
DLC
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The Homeworld video games correct haven’t had DLC, because of the truth that they had been launched a bit earlier than DLC was an actual factor, however Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak did get one growth within the type of the Kiith Soban Fleet. This added a model new set of models to the sport, which is essentially the most dependable type of DLC for RTS video games. Since we don’t even know the quantity of factions Homeworld 3 could have at launch, we now have no method to predict which, if any, extra shall be added later, nevertheless it looks like a secure wager.
There’s additionally the potential for this mysterious co-op mode to get some type of DLC addition to increase its supposed rogue-like parts, and even utterly new co-op or multiplayer modes. There’s all the time the choice for extra story content material, however based mostly on how little we find out about that, it’s only a cheap guess.
Preorder
There’s just one model of Homeworld 3 you may preorder in order for you some bodily goodies, however Steam does have a web page open so that you can add to your want listing in order for you an ordinary copy. The Collectors Edition might be discovered on the official website and ordered by way of varied retailers listed there. For $175, it consists of:
The Mothership, Khar-Kushan: 14 inches
Hiigaran Destroyer: 3 inches
Hiigaran Torpedo Frigate: 1.8 inches
WWII-inspired spotter deck
Homeworld 3 brand keychain
Homeworld 3 base sport Steam key
Homeworld 3 Year One Pass
Homeworld 3 soundtrack by Paul Ruskay
Ship decals
Editors’ Recommendations
Tekken 8: launch date, trailers, gameplay, roster, and extra
Mortal Kombat 1: launch date, trailers, gameplay, and extra
Alone within the Dark: launch date hypothesis, trailers, gameplay, and extra
Detective Pikachu Returns: launch date, trailers, gameplay, and extra
Assassin’s Creed Mirage: launch date, trailers, gameplay, and extra