Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak Reviews
Blackbird Interactive crafts a worthy successor to the Homeworld classics, although it can lack a spark of its own.
A great tactical RTS with all the gorgeous aesthetics and atmosphere of the original series.
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is a deep, exciting, varied RTS with all the right tools.
It has more in common with the original Homeworld than it first seems, but this new real-time strategy works best as an introduction rather than a continuation.
This is the definition of a real-time strategy game for real-time strategy game fans, and will satisfy those looking for a solid single-player RTS experience
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is interesting enough but feels a bit empty
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is a prequel to the famed Homeworld Strategy series. It follows its inspirations closely, but adds its own touches to create something new and wonderful.
It's Homeworld, but with sand, and it's the best new RTS game in years.
While the multiplayer is mediocre at best, the campaign more than compensates for fans of the series. All the worries of "it can't be Homeworld if it's not in space!" should be put to rest, because Deserts of Kharak says otherwise. The asking price is a bit steep for those who are just interested in the campaign, since most won't bother to touch multiplayer. That being said, the campaign is well executed for veterans and newbies alike, proving that over a decade without Homeworld is far too long.
Though it lacks some of the nuance and complexity to make the most of some of its ideas, Deserts of Kharak captures the essence of the Homeworld series. Fans of the classic originals will find a familiar form of real time strategy adapted to a new setting, and telling another tale of a lonely carrier fighting through to its destination against the odds.
Short campaign, steep price, but this homeworld-in-the-desert has style in spades, and a solid, albeit simple, RTS core.
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An interesting enough take on the genre that's let down by boring looks and frustrating little niggles.
Deserts of Kharak does manage to be standalone as well as prequel to an old series, and if you're tired of the twitchy frenzy which grips so many latter-day RTSes, Kharak is a smart and beautiful destination whether or not you still dream of Hiigara. It might be set on land, but by recent RTS standards it's nonetheless reaching for the stars.
While Blackbird's HD update of the original Homeworld titles may have shipped with a few nagging bugs, this original and inventive prequel reinvents the series in way I hardly even hoped could be possible. It's fresh but familiar. It's Homeworld, but it's something new. Like its story-chronological successors, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is amazing — there's simply nothing else like it.
Deserts of Kharak is a triumphant return to Homeworld, just minus the space part.
While the story sometimes sticks too close to familiar ground, Deserts of Kharak is a fun and challenging RTS title that's a worthy addition to the Homeworld franchise.
A reasonably solid RTS that will appeal to Homeworld fans.
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak tells one of the better science fiction narratives I've seen in a real-time strategy game. While the campaign is short, I enjoyed most of the Homeworld-inspired gameplay. Skirmish and multiplayer modes beef up the content, but the overall content-to-price ratio doesn't quite even out. Minor gripes aside, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is one of the more compelling real-time strategy games I've played in some time.
While not Homeworld as we know it and featuring bugs and a few issues, Deserts of Kharak is still a strong entry for the franchise and a strong RTS. Offering variety to the fast-paced twitch strategy games that are prevalent, the slow paced, tactical approach on offer here is a welcome change.