Could ‘War Games’ be the Key to Homeworld 3’s Success?

Skirmish mode was the main reason I kept returning to Homeworld, as it would often consume my entire weekend in college. Homeworld 3 introduces a new mode in its second sequel called War Games, which is a multiplayer co-op inspired by roguelike games. In this mode, one, two, or three players face off against the enemy in a series of randomized challenges, where survival is the key to progress. Despite my initial aversion to the terms “roguelike” and “multiplayer co-op,” I have been playing an early version of this mode for the past few days and I must admit, it is quite impressive.

Each campaign starts with a predetermined set of vehicles – you get to choose one early on, and the more XP you accumulate, the more options open up. You must then run through three missions, each in a new environment, until you defeat the opponent’s carrier. These missions include escorting friendly transports from one side of the map to the other, rescuing captured civilians or attacking enemy positions. You have to balance your offensive and defensive needs with the quest to research ship upgrades while managing resources – which are less plentiful here than in previous Homeworld games.

During each campaign, players collect items that are randomized bonuses for your ships. These include power-ups such as faster ships or more powerful weapons, but at the expense of defensive stats or the responsiveness of each vehicle. After completing your mission, you have the opportunity to be there to repair your fleet and load resources. But doing so runs the risk of quickly being overrun by the enemy, which constantly increases their attack power the longer you’re around. As soon as the objectives are done, a big hyperspace jump button will hover on your screen, encouraging you to inevitably get there.

It is possible to play War Games solo, but I don’t recommend it. It’s a lot more fun with other people, and there’s more emphasis on coordination and cooperation. As a traditional multiplayer loather, this is one of the few times I’d rather play with friends. Not to mention that War Games is the kind of experience where it feels really good to share the mental load.

It’s not clear how much War Games informs how Homeworld 3 itself plays, but it’s hard not to draw conclusions. If you have decades of muscle memory, the differences here are more than confusing, at least in the short term. It benefits from nearly 20 years of improvements, and the stunning graphics lean even harder on the 70s sci-fi aesthetic that games have always displayed. One part of the development of Homeworld 3 is the combat, which takes place not in open space, but among the destroyed remains of alien megastructures. This is where I struggled the most: It’s hard to make out the needlepoint stitches against the texture of these gorgeous backgrounds.

War Games’ announcement is just part of a trickle of announcements to build hype for Homeworld 3’s release. (The prequel to the series, Deserts of Kharak, is currently free on the Epic Games Store.) The latest story trailer outlines a plot shape set a generation after the events of Homeworld 2. The opening of the gates of hyperspace heralded a bold new era of peace. and prosperity, but not everyone was equally satisfied with this situation. Karan’s S’Jet and the Pride of Hiigara investigated several missing ships and anomalies, but the ship never returned. Now, several years later, the new Fleet Command Imogen S’Jet is installed on a new mother ship, but her shakedown cruise is interrupted by a new enemy, the Incarnate.

Homeworld 3 expands its narrative to look at how all of this affects the people at the top. Blackbird Interactive has promised that we will see inside the mothership for the first time and how these missions affect the individuals sent to fight them. New character Isaac Paktu is an experienced combat commander who will lead missions, and both his and Imogen’s backstories will be fleshed out in short stories published on the Homeworld website. Given the rather sterile way Fleet Command of old notified you about a missing unit, developing front-line characters raises the stakes.

As for War Games, you can imagine that its combination of co-op and punishment will catch on with a small but deeply die-hard fan base.