Homeworld Remastered Collection

The Homeworld Remastered Collection brings the classic space-based RTS games Homeworld and Homeworld 2 to modern systems with updated graphics and multiplayer. Command your fleet across 30 single-player missions, choosing unit types, formations, and tactics. This collection also includes the original Homeworld and Homeworld 2 in their classic forms.

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Play Modes

Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,230 reviews

story832 positive mentions

stability175 negative mentions

Homeworld is a classic space RTS that has aged well, with stunning graphics and a compelling story.
The remastered version enhances the original gameplay experience while maintaining the core mechanics.
The game features a unique 3D combat system that allows for strategic maneuvering and tactics.

The dynamic difficulty scaling punishes players for doing well, making subsequent missions disproportionately harder.
The user interface and controls can be clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustration during gameplay.
Numerous bugs and crashes, particularly in the remastered version, detract from the overall experience.

story
2,777 mentions
30 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The "story" aspect of the Homeworld series, particularly in the remastered versions, is widely praised for its emotional depth and engaging narrative. Players appreciate the rich lore and character-driven storytelling that unfolds across the campaigns, with many noting the compelling journey of the Kushan people as they seek to reclaim their homeworld. However, some critiques highlight issues with pacing and mission design, particularly in Homeworld 2, where the story feels less cohesive and is marred by gameplay mechanics that can lead to frustrating difficulty spikes. Overall, the remastered collection is celebrated for preserving the original's storytelling while enhancing the visual and auditory experience.
- “The story and atmosphere really make you feel the high stakes.”
- “The story is fantastic, probably one of the most engaging stories in any strategy game I've played.”
- “The story is well written and the world is well built.”
- “Homeworld 2's plot has not improved over the years.”
- “The story is poor; there seem to be some self-inserts, and in general, it's a poorly constructed and written game—an abomination to the original.”
- “It is sad to see that this franchise was revived, by this collection and by some extent, Deserts of Kharak, to then be blatantly murdered by Blackbird Interactive writing a pathetic story fit for a high school queen drama produced by the cheapest office cubicle known to Netflix.”
graphics
1,417 mentions
47 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the Homeworld Remastered collection have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visual fidelity and modern enhancements, effectively bringing the classic titles into the current gaming era. Players appreciate the detailed ship models, vibrant space environments, and improved effects, which maintain the original aesthetic while offering a fresh experience. However, some users noted that despite the graphical upgrades, certain gameplay mechanics and AI issues from the original games persist, leading to mixed feelings about the overall remastering effort.
- “The updated graphics and modernized interface breathe new life into these beloved titles, while still maintaining the immersive storytelling and strategic gameplay that made them so popular in the first place.”
- “The graphics update is beautiful, the enhanced detail on the ships, environments, and effects look great.”
- “The visuals are beautiful, a stunning portrayal of cosmic scenery with beautiful backgrounds and impressively designed spacecraft.”
- “The graphics are worse than the original; the controls have been changed but do not help, the navigation sucks a lot, meaning that you cannot move the ships past a certain point while opening the sensor map. The waypoints instead of patrol suck because, again, you cannot control the coordinates. Mission Hiigara is totally unplayable; nope, this 'remastered' version is worse than the original.”
- “The graphical improvements don't make it worth the gameplay issues it introduces.”
- “Despite the changes for the remaster essentially making HW1 feel like HW2 with all the quirks of scaling difficulty and formations making some ships effectively useless, the risk/reward gameplay with excellent design in ships (and their synergies/interactions) and dynamic battles playing out with stakes super high makes up for the flaws with the most melancholic and grand sci-fi stories ever written to my knowledge with jaw-dropping visuals at times.”
gameplay
1,148 mentions
34 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the Homeworld remastered collection has received mixed reviews, with many praising its strategic depth and unique 3D mechanics, while others criticize the significant changes made to core mechanics from the original games. Players appreciate the updated graphics and improved user interface, but express disappointment over the removal of key features like the fuel mechanic and the alteration of formations, which some feel detracts from the tactical experience. Overall, while the remaster retains much of the original's charm, it has also introduced bugs and gameplay inconsistencies that have frustrated long-time fans.
- “The gameplay, story, and pacing of Homeworld 1 are great.”
- “The game plays exceptionally well, boasting a level of polish that only enhances the original's revered gameplay mechanics.”
- “One of the best RTS games of all time, as well as a personal favorite of mine, the story is excellent, the music is phenomenal, and the gameplay holds up extremely well.”
- “They ruined the gameplay of Homeworld 1 by trying to shoehorn it into Homeworld 2's game systems.”
- “The gameplay is extremely slow.”
- “The remastered version brings new challenges and missions for those trying to reach Hiigara once again, adding even better graphics and new gameplay mechanics not present in the classic version.”
music
591 mentions
52 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the Homeworld series is widely praised for its emotional depth and atmospheric quality, with many reviewers highlighting the haunting and epic nature of the soundtrack, which enhances the game's storytelling and immersive experience. Composed by Paul Ruskay, the music is described as a blend of orchestral and ambient styles, often evoking feelings of nostalgia and grandeur, although some fans lament the absence of the original "Homeworld" song by Yes in the remastered version. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's legacy as a classic in the RTS genre.
- “The game's awe-inspiring soundtrack, composed by Paul Ruskay, complements the space odyssey beautifully, evoking a sense of wonder and mystery as you traverse the vastness of the cosmos.”
- “The music goes really hard on emotions at the right moments, and the story that reminded me suddenly of a Dune-like adventure is outstanding.”
- “The soundtrack alone brings so much to the game, creating an atmosphere that enhances every cutscene, battle, and dialogue.”
- “The music is a big part of this game and it's literally game breaking.”
- “The soundtrack alone brings so much to the game.”
- “Sadly shedding Homeworld 1’s ethereal, eastern-influenced soundtrack for more generic synth-orchestral filler, the plot also suffers from being essentially a weakly-justified re-run with unwelcome messianic overtones.”
stability
186 mentions
5 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly in the remastered versions. While some players have experienced a relatively smooth experience, others have encountered frequent crashes, freezing during loading screens, and issues with AI and mission progression. Overall, the game is often described as "buggy" and "unfinished," leading to frustration among players despite its nostalgic appeal and improved graphics.
- “Runs great!”
- “Bug free and plays smooth.”
- “The game looks beautiful, it runs great on low-end systems too, lower than the minimum specified specs.”
- “Even after multiple patches, this remaster is unfortunately very buggy and broken.”
- “This is a buggy mess, do yourself a favor and find the originals; they were great.”
- “The remastered version is very buggy, not challenging in any way.”
atmosphere
153 mentions
61 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, enhanced by a stunning soundtrack and beautiful visuals that evoke a sense of scale and mystery in space. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a unique emotional experience, drawing players into its rich narrative and atmospheric design. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the overall ambiance remains a standout feature that resonates with players, making it a memorable and engaging experience.
- “The atmosphere and rich background lore are expertly crafted to draw you into a completely immersive and engaging journey.”
- “The atmosphere it created really draws you in; it was something I had never experienced before in a game.”
- “Homeworld is deep, captivating, incredibly atmospheric, and now stunningly beautiful as well with Steam multiplayer support.”
- “However, I could not enjoy the atmosphere much because I spent most of my time within the tactical map and frantically clicking numerous units.”
- “The relaxing atmosphere from Homeworld 1 is diminished to a few isolated occasions in Homeworld 2, which makes both games two very different experiences.”
- “The same goes for the atmosphere in Homeworld 1 in general: barely noticeable.”
emotional
72 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-3 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with many players noting its ability to evoke deep feelings through a compelling narrative, stunning visuals, and a powerful soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the game's heart-wrenching story about a civilization's struggle to find home, which resonates strongly and often leads to genuine emotional responses, including tears. Overall, the combination of engaging gameplay and an impactful storyline creates a memorable and immersive emotional experience for players.
- “Its the only game which has ever made me cry, and that's something I haven't been able to do for over 10 years.”
- “The captivating storyline, filled with heart-wrenching moments and unexpected twists, adds emotional weight to your journey, creating a truly immersive experience.”
- “Homeworld has such a powerful and emotional campaign.”
- “The story is boring, the gameplay is less interesting, and there's a lack of connection to your fleet.”
- “I felt no emotional investment in the characters or the narrative.”
- “The game fails to evoke any real feelings, leaving me disconnected from the experience.”
optimization
57 mentions
49 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players praise its smooth performance and stunning graphics on a variety of hardware, some report issues like stuttering, low FPS, and bugs, particularly with AI and audio. Despite these concerns, the remaster is generally considered well-optimized for modern systems, with only occasional performance hiccups noted. Players with older rigs have found it runs surprisingly well, though some specific configurations, particularly with Nvidia cards, may require adjustments for optimal performance.
- “The classic game was already considered a graphical gem back in 1999, but the remaster has gone further in increasing graphical fidelity without affecting performance.”
- “Even with the enhanced graphics, the game still manages to not be too demanding on hardware and it runs smoothly without any major stability issues.”
- “This perfect remake looks wonderful, is very optimized and perfectly remastered.”
- “After a while, the game starts stuttering with low FPS. Others have reported it, and there's no fix (5800x3d / 6900xt). During the stutter, the CPU and GPU are at ~5% load.”
- “Poorly optimized and has frequent installation issues, making parts of the game unplayable.”
- “It's a mess with several performance and gameplay issues, a poorly scaled UI, and multiple crashes.”
replayability
50 mentions
44 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Replayability in this game is generally viewed as strong, particularly due to the inclusion of modding tools, multiplayer options, and engaging skirmish modes that allow for endless customization and replay. While some players note a lack of content in the single-player campaign, many find that the multiplayer and community-created content significantly enhance the game's longevity. Overall, the combination of a captivating storyline, stunning graphics, and diverse gameplay options contributes to a high replay value, making it a favorite among fans for years.
- “The included modding tools further enhance the replay value of the collection, allowing players to create and share their own custom content.”
- “Endlessly replayable, especially if you have friends to play with.”
- “The remastered version has amazing graphics and not to mention, amazing replayability and endless possibilities and tactics.”
- “No replayability, other than multiplayer.”
- “Currently the community doesn’t offer much in the face of new maps, which makes replayability a bit of a short-ended stick.”
- “It may be that it is simple by comparison with almost every space game ever (what with only having one resource that you can gather in finite amounts) and that is one part that detracts from this game's replayability.”
grinding
25 mentions
8 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with many missions lacking variation and becoming a chore over time. The dynamic difficulty and resource management can contribute to a slow-paced experience, making gameplay feel monotonous, especially in later stages. While some enjoy the overall experience, the grind often detracts from the enjoyment, leading to frustration with the game's pacing and mechanics.
- “It's a bit grindy at times.”
- “Grinding can be rewarding if you enjoy the journey.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The gameplay is tremendously tedious and the UI is godawful; the combat and tactics are absolutely basic, and the ships are bland and uncharacteristic.”
- “Once you learn which spacecraft are the most effective, the game becomes a very tedious, repetitive cycle of spamming those units, assigning them all together into the same group, and watching them lumber toward the objective.”
humor
17 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the Homeworld Remastered Collection is often described as both self-aware and absurd, with players finding amusement in the game's contradictions and the unexpected charm of its remastered elements. Many reviews highlight the comedic aspects of the storylines and gameplay, noting that the humor enhances the overall experience, making it feel fresh and entertaining. Additionally, players appreciate the nostalgic humor tied to their personal experiences with the franchise, contributing to a lighthearted atmosphere throughout the game.
- “In conclusion, Homeworld Remastered Collection is a galactic hit – it's like meeting an old friend after years and discovering they've got a brand new wardrobe and a fresh sense of humor.”
- “You know, it's funny, I don't remember Randy Pitchford sending out any cocky tweets about pre-order numbers for Deserts of Kharak like he did for Homeworld Remastered Collection.”
- “(The most hilarious one being an update that misplaced a comma and gave two or three missions in Homeworld 1 resources in the millions.)”
monetization
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
-22 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a cash grab, with players feeling that the developers prioritize profit over fan satisfaction. Many users expressed frustration over intrusive advertisements and the lack of genuine remastering efforts, suggesting that the collection fails to meet expectations for quality and value. However, some noted a slight relief in the absence of additional DLC or microtransactions.
- “At least they had the decency to not add DLC or resource bonus microtransactions.”
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure players into spending money.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers cosmetic items only, keeping the gameplay experience intact.”
- “It feels like a cash grab by people who care more about their paycheck than their fanbase.”
- “Of course, this collection was merely a cash grab, and it shows even with the classic version.”
- “Support companies that do proper remasters rather than just a rerelease cash grab.”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The game's campaign features a simplistic story that lacks any meaningful character development, leading to a negative overall impression from players.
- “The campaign's story is very simplistic, with no character development of any kind. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this game.”
- “Character development feels non-existent; the characters are flat and uninteresting.”
- “There is a lack of meaningful growth for the characters, making it hard to connect with them.”