Its the one time something out did Homeworld.
User Rating: 9 | Homeworld: Cataclysm PC
The thing here is, if you've played the original and then jumped into Cataclysm you've hopefully been floored by the scope of the game itself. Merely an expansion to the original? A very well made modification of the classic Homeworld game? No. This is the most original space real time strategy title ever conceived. The enemy is within you, the ancient dormant hive-minded creature living only to destroy all of the known galaxy. The story wastes no time making you feel the terror of such a plight in the black void of space. While Homeworld featured tribulation, self-doubt, destruction, and redemption, Cataclysm waxes poetic with the fear of assimilation- the fear of losing ones identity. That is truly horrific, that is something more polished than anything else available in this indirect sequel. Understanding what makes mere skirmishes with "the beast" so terrifying and stressful is a very unique experience that cannot be had in any other game in this genre. Though the original Homeworld did delve into the mysteries of space, emphasizing the journey, and why the journey was fraught with conflict throughout, it comes nowhere close to exploring the fear of the unknown. So Cataclysm took all you're safe warm space faring space drama and threw it out the window. Now you're a pauper while everyone around you is a legend and respected. Now you are the one who must redeem themselves in the eyes of those would hardly give you any recognition. The fact that the story expands on a range of socio-political drama and hierarchies within you're alien race shows the commitment by the developers who worked on it. They obviously loved the original game and wanted to do as much as they could with their own contribution. Of course visually the game still looks great, the ships are gorgeously designed, and still one the best things about this game and Homeworld. The music is a touch more atmospheric, but still very memorable as well. The real change here is the two unique races that duke it out all over space in the main storyline, but even skirmish matches emphasize the give-take of both factions. The duality of both a race that is proud of its kamikaze-like squadrons versus the faction who merely studies in order to destroy, or captures only the strongest to fight in their legions packs more depth than most games ever made. The fact that an entire squadron of fighters can be instantly converted to the beast's "body-snatcher" mentality and then used on the same player is immensely tactical. By the time everyone has warships and a full fleet, then you really know things are going to get nuts. I've probably had more fun with this game on the skirmish mode than the main storyline and yet its still probably one of the most overshadowed titles slammed between Homeworld 1 and its lackluster Homeworld 2. Its one of my favorite games and after years is finally getting the recognition it deserves as being likely better focused than the original Homeworld.
