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PC: Homeworld: Cataclysm
|
________________________________
| Category: |
Real-Time
Strategy / 3D |
| Players: |
1-8 |
| Similar
To: |
N/A (Don't
wanna cheapen the game here..) |
| Min.
Req. : |
PII 233,
32MB RAM, 100MB HD (+50 MB permanent swap file), 4X CD-ROM or better, 4MB
Video Card |
| Reviewed On: |
P III 450, 32MB Diamond
V770 TNT2, 192 MB RAM, 32X CD-ROM |
| Rating |
Everyone |
| Published: |
9 :14
:00 |
| Reviewed
By: |
Liet |
|
|
Yeah, it's generally called an expansion, but Homeworld: Cataclysm
is and it isn't. This disparity arises because the refinement of the Homeworld
basics, the amount of new stuff, and the ease of falling into the game
makes you feel like you're home again, Cataclysm has been thirstily awaited
by the core fans (including myself) for a good while now, and it doesn't
disappoint.
Set 15 years after the epic events of Homeworld, you command the
mining vessel Kuun-Lan for kiith (clan) Somtaaw, a relatively small kiith
composed primarily of miners and dispossessed members of other kiiths.
Life isn't easy for the kiiths and their fledgling government, and it isn't
going to get any more pleasant when an ancient horror dubbed 'the Beast'
is unleashed. As the game progresses, The Kuun-Lan and her crew visibly
shift from a tentative peace stance to a warrior posture in order to combat
this new threat. I really hope Sierra Studios' calling this an "episode"
means there's more to come.
Gameplay: 9/10
I've heard in a few places that Barking Dog Studios made Cataclysm
more like Starcraft. The only real ways they're similar are in terms
of balance, and that they learned from their predecessors. Probably the
largest of these would be the addition of Support Units, which dictate
how many ships you can field at a time, based on point values of the ships.
You may not be able to throw 7 cruisers into the battle anymore, but the
added trickiness provides a nice opportunity to develop sneakier tactics.
And subterfuge is in abundance. These additions include Mimics
(slick kamikazes that can imitate your ships, their ships, or asteroids),
Leeches (microships that can kill even the big bruisers if left unnoticed),
a cloakable Ion Array Frigate, and cloaked fighters. Your research is conducted
through a series of Mothership-based modules, leading to armor upgrades,
incapacitating discharges, speedier ships, and the like. Corvettes are
gone (not that they were really useful to begin with) and they're replaced
by a technology that allows two Acolyte fighters or two Mimics to link
up to form an appropriately more powerful ship. Missions have an adjustable
difficulty, and are much longer than the original, with objectives changing
numerous times throughout the course of just one. In fact, Barking Dog
tossed in enough complexity to create a wonderfully replayable game that
offers some really intriguing possibilities for multiplayer games. |
|
 |
Barking
Dog / SierraStudios |
.
.
|
Quick
Overview |
>>><<<
Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics: 9.5/10
Sound: 8.5/10
Control: 9/10
Overall: 9/10
-
"Great" |
|
|
The storyline may not be as awe-inspiring and poignant as the original,
but it's got its shining moments. I actually got spooked in one early mission
as the Beast was introduced, and the freakish screaming didn't soothe any. |
Graphics: 9.5/10
Most
of you already know how gorgeous Homeworld's graphics are, and Cataclysm
made some real distinct improvements. Framerate underwent a noticeable
jump, while image quality is some of the best I've ever seen. There are
numerous effects and some great scalability allows low-end users to still
be able to partake in most of Cataclysm's splendor. I've never really
seen the point of describing a picture, so just take a look.
Sound: 8.5/10
Ion Beams still make your headphones vibrate with a dead-on feeling of
power, and all your ship noises are appropriately inspiring (or spooky,
as with the periodic subtle growl emanating from Beast ships). A great
carry-over is how sounds get louder and more intricate the closer you get
to any ship. Occasionally during a fierce capital-ship battle I'll reflexively
pull the camera back because the intensity is overwhelming. A sweet shift
has been made musically, with tracks sounding... more tribal somehow. I
had a gripe with the actors and writing, as they'd constantly state the
obvious and weren't as compelling and believable. They didn't seem able
to convey subtle emotion for some reason. I definitely prefer the sweet
voice of Fleet Command from the first Homeworld.
Control: 9/10
An effortlessly manipulated camera (mouse wheel definitely recommended
here) combined with numerous mappable hotkeys are what many games wish
they could have, and what Cataclysm revels in. Barking Dog made
serious changes, both little and major. One great addition for all of us
intricate maneuver folk is the ability to give orders while paused, and
even in the sensor manager, a drastic improvement over the original. Three
kinds of waypoints have been thrown in (start to finish, ping pong, and
a start to end to start) for easy patrolling and navigation, but with the
ability to pause and give orders I didn't need this so much.
Overall: 9/10
I try and let the experts give thought to how Homeworld could have
been improved, and they proved laudably why they're the experts. The great
balance, slightly grittier feel, awesomely slick and smooth visuals, and
food-for-imagination story combine to form one of the greatest games I've
ever had the joy of playing. So enough talk, I'm going home to my Cataclysm. |
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