Review 14 - Xiubo Zhang - Homeworld 2
From DIT Experimental Gaming Group
Contents |
Homeworld 2
Homeworld 2 is a real-time strategy computer game sequel to Homeworld developed by Relic Entertainment. It is best known for its full three-dimensional movement, engrossing storyline and unique soundtrack.
What's the story?
Homeworld 2 continues the struggle of the Hiigarans and their leader Karan S'jet. At the end of the first Homeworld game, the Kushan race successfully reclaimed the planet of origin, Hiigara. 115 years have passed since the events of Homeworld and now Hiigarans have to face a new threat, a legion led by Vaygr Warlord named Makkan, who has used his fleet to conquer much of the galaxy and - as of the beginning of Homeworld 2 - has set his sights on Hiigara and he then launched an attack against Hiigara. The game begins with the emergency evacuation of the new Mothership - the Pride of Hiigara - in face of the Vaygr onslaught. To save Hiigara from Vaygr's siege, the player must race with Makkan to find a ship named Sajuuk, which is a powerful legacy from an extinct race called Progenitor. The storyline is not quite convincing - the motivation for the Hiigarans to launch the expedition remains unclear. However, the story itself is pretty moving, especially when I witnessed the Bentusi sacrificed themselves to save the the fleet from the Keepers of the Progenitror.
The World Is NOT Flat!
Since the game featured three-dimensional battlefield, your ships can move along each axis with unrestricted freedom and the game control is quite different from traditional RTS game. To move your fleet, just right click to invoke the move mode in which you can set the X and Y coordinate and by holding the Shift key, a Z coordinate can also be set. However, the most common way to manipulate your fleet is to assign them a target and then they will either follow or attack depending on whether it's a friendly unit or a hostile craft. To issue a attack command, select the targets while holding the Control key. Players who have played the first Homeworld game will find the new control system is much easier to master than the old one while the new players may feel uncomfortable with the complicate control style. Nevertheless, it's just a matter of time to get accustomed to the control system. After that you may doubt if there is a better way to operate your fleet.
Keep It Low Key
You thought you won? Dont't be fooled! Instead of allowing player to choose a difficulty level for its single-player campaign, Homeworld 2 uses dynamic difficulty adjustments, in which the strength of a level's opposition is determined by how many ships, and of what type, the player is bringing in from the previous level. So, when you are satisfied with your overwhelming fleet, be careful - the enemy you are going to face may crush you easily.
Under the Hood
Homeworld 2 uses a proprietary programming language, known as SCAR (SCripting At Relic) in addition to others. (The information of SCAR and Lua comes from Wikipedia)
SCAR
The SCAR language was created for the express purpose of coding in Homeworld 2 and deals mainly with events in the single-player campaign (zooming out with the camera, creating enemy ships, moving the player to the next level, etc.).
Lua
Homeworld 2 also makes use of version 4.0 of the Lua programming language. Homeworld 2 uses Lua for in-game levels, formatted as .level files, AI, and as a Rules Engine for game logic. A player sets many variables inside a Homeworld 2 game, including ambient light, background, placement of start positions and asteroids, among many other things.
MODs
Since most of the game content is separated from the game engine, it is possible for advanced players to build their own Mods by modifying the resources and overriding the files which defines the rules of the game. Many third-party Mods emerged and the most impressive Mod I have played is the FXmod which introduced several new races and more than one hundred new ships.
Conclusion
The game is highly rated by many game sites and it does deserves the praise. As for me, it is the loneliness in the void and beautiful universe that totally shocked me and that is why I love this game.
Homeworld 2 Trailer
Homeworld 2 Gameplay
Homeworld 2 Insane Battle Footage
