Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak Reviews

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is ranked in the 75th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Unscored
Jan 13, 2016

I'm not going to beat around the bush here: Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is the greatest RTS I have played since I first started flirting with StarCraft II.

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ACG
Top Critic
Wait for Sale
Jan 19, 2016
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7.5 / 10.0
Jan 26, 2016

Blackbird Interactive clearly understands what makes Homeworld such an esteemed series, and for the most part Deserts of Kharak delivers. Only a relative lack of content somewhat lessens an otherwise excellent RTS.

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8.5 / 10.0
Feb 9, 2016

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is a fantastic Homeworld game, and a fantastic RTS game in its own right. It's a great middle point between the classic formula and the rather intimidating full three dimension movement of the franchise, as well as just being a damned good RTS in a time when games in the genre are an increasingly rare sight.

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Chris Wray
Top Critic
7.2 / 10.0
Feb 27, 2016

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.

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8.8 / 10.0
Jan 19, 2016

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.

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7 / 10
Jan 20, 2016

A reasonably solid RTS that will appeal to Homeworld fans.

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Jan 21, 2016

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.

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90 / 100
Jan 26, 2016

Deserts of Kharak is a triumphant return to Homeworld, just minus the space part.

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95 / 100
Jan 19, 2016

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.

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Unscored
Jan 19, 2016
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Unscored
Jan 21, 2016

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.

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6.5 / 10.0
Feb 9, 2016

An interesting enough take on the genre that's let down by boring looks and frustrating little niggles.

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8 / 10.0
Jan 22, 2016

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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7 / 10
Jan 18, 2016

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.

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7.5 / 10.0
Jan 20, 2016

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.

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Luke Plunkett
Top Critic
Unscored
Jan 21, 2016

It's Homeworld, but with sand, and it's the best new RTS game in years.

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9 / 10
Jan 22, 2016

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.

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7 / 10.0
Feb 3, 2016

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is interesting enough but feels a bit empty

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8 / 10.0
Jan 28, 2016

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

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