The game’s brilliant use of the 3D graphics engine to produce in-game cut-scenes is to be commended. I recall seeing many uses of the in-game engine to make the cut-scenes in various games, and in many instances finding that the movies simply did not blend in well with the rest of the game. That's not to say that there weren't moments when I was awed by those cut-scenes, it's just that the movies themselves looked somewhat corny. Anyhow, to get to the point, this is definitely not the case in Cataclysm. The cut-scenes flow smoothly and really help to move the story along. In addition to the 3D cut-scenes, the game also makes use of transitional movies between levels, derived from what seems to be concept art. These scenes are used mainly to fill in the gaps and portray the parts of the storyline that the 3D cut-scenes cannot.

Cataclysm is as much fun to look at as it is to play. The graphics are first-class, especially when cranked up to 1024x768 and higher. The in-game cut-scenes are hardly innovative, but they are pulled off better than in many other games. Finally, the short movies between levels are well designed for the Homeworld universe. They help to convey a much richer storyline and a broader understanding of the events at hand, than traditional cut-scenes could ever hope to accomplish.

One down, twenty to go...

Comic book movies between levels

Making your point hit home...

I Can Hear Voices
The voice acting in Cataclysm is very well done. The emotional content of the actors' voices is apparent and easily sets the mood. Of note is the voice acting of Fleet Command, and that of the Tactical Officer. Also well done is the voice of the Beast, which sounds extremely creepy. Barking Dog Studios made sure to let everyone know who the bad guys were. In case you haven’t caught on yet, the voice acting is REALLY well done, much better than many of the games I’ve played.

Few of the sound effects from Homeworld have changed instead, they seem to have been slightly enhanced for use in Cataclysm. This is some of the best news I can give you since, as anyone who played the original will tell you, the ambiance that these contribute to the battles is phenomenal. The best sound by far in Cataclysm is that of the Ion Cannon ripping a new one for the enemy. Much of the other sounds remain unchanged, with the jumps into hyperspace and the sounds of the particle cannons firing, for example, sounding as cool as they ever did. The last thing worth mentioning are the explosions. I could swear they haven’t been modified at all from the ones in Homeworld, yet they seem to sound better than ever. There's just nothing like the sound of the Enemy's various capital ships being blown to smithereens.

In addition to the smorgasbord of sound effects, is the incessant radio chatter. While not as good as the voice acting by Fleet Command, these little sound bites are good enough to help lift the ambiance from good to great, and to help you determine when you're actually kicking butt or being beaten to a bloody pulp in battle.