Innovative gameplay, crisp graphics, and a wonderful artistic style makes this one RTS game to be remembered.
Homeworld 2 is possibly one of the best RTS games on the market. Taking place a century after the original Homeworld, the Vagyr are attempting to create a vast empire across the regions of space. The Hiigara, who you play in the campaign, is in their way. Using their last remaining mothership, the Pride of Hiigara, they attempt to resist the Vagyr and their imperial desires.
The first thing you'll most likely notice is the quality of the graphics. Although the game was released around 2003, the visuals are still on par with today's games three years later. The interface is also visually appealing. Using small build and research toolbars and the ability to turn the interface fully off creates a wonderful cinematic experience as well. The audio and score is very well done and adds to the atmosphere of an already great game.
The gameplay one of the best things about Homeworld 2. The series, started in 1999, was one of the first to introduce 3D space combat. The sequel does not disappoint. The game revolves around the mothership, your basic headquarters. It is used to create anything from the smallest bombers to the gigantic capital ships. Addons can be researched and built on the exterior of your mothership, giving it the feel of a dynamic, flying city. Ships can be built that act as smaller motherships in order to create multiple bases. The mothership, shipyards, and carriers can create smaller fighters to do your military work. The is one of the most rewarding parts of Homeworld 2. Just watching the deep-space skirmishes between you and your opponent are a thing of beauty in themselves. Your ships twist and turn with ease as they are trailed by a long tail of smoke. Your units work together to take out larger groups of the enemy. This is also a great example of the AI. The computer will use tactics such as retreating to either keep alive or slaughter your base.
My only problem with Homeworld 2 is the difficulty. If one is not entirely familiar with the RTS genre, this would not be a game to pick up to find out about. It can be tricky to get used to move your ships, especially large groups of them. Do to a lack of a traditional minimap, you use a large blue sphere showing the location of all your units. This can get confusing at times when you need to maneuver your ships carefully. You may even go as far as forgetting you're using the map and not the normal screen.
Apart from the slight control difficulty problem, Homeworld 2 is a beautiful adventure into the depths of space. Although at times it is not especially friendly to an inexperienced player, one can find an exciting RTS unlike any other.