Homeworld 2

Homeworld 2

Company type	Video game
Industry	Video games
Founded	2003
Founder	Relic Entertainment
Headquarters	Canada
Products	Real-time strategy video game
Parent	Sierra Entertainment (publisher)

Homeworld 2 is a 2003 real-time strategy sequel to Homeworld, created by Relic Entertainment and released by Sierra Entertainment. The narrative centers on Hiigara's confrontation with a new adversary known as the Vaygr. Building on its predecessor, the game introduces improved visual and audio elements, showcasing unique ship designs and tactical approaches for the Vaygr and Hiigaran factions, distinct from the Kushan and Taiidan forces featured in the original title.

Gameplay

Homeworld 2 preserves the three-dimensional navigation system from the first game, allowing players to maneuver units along the z-axis using mouse and keyboard controls.

The core gameplay involves collecting "Resource Units" (RUs) through harvester units, which serve as the currency for constructing ships and researching technologies, thereby restricting how much a player can develop simultaneously.

At the heart of the fleet is the Mothership; its destruction results in failure of single-player missions or severely affects multiplayer matches. The Mothership is responsible for building most vessels except the largest classes, which require Shipyards—orbital platforms delivered via hyperspace jumps. Additionally, it can produce Carriers that generate Fighters, Corvettes, and Frigates. Technology advancement occurs at research labs located on Carriers and Shipyards, enabling upgrades beyond what the Mothership can provide.

All units are spacecraft categorized into Fighters, Corvettes, Frigates, or Capital Ships. Larger ships possess greater strength and durability but sacrifice speed and maneuverability. Each category fulfills specific tactical roles with particular weaknesses; for instance, Ion Cannon Frigates have powerful offense but are susceptible to Fighters, whereas Flak Frigates effectively counter Fighters but lack firepower against other frigate types. Understanding these interactions is essential for effective play.

Certain frigates specialize in capturing enemy vessels by deploying boarding teams; this exposes them to counterattacks and can be expedited when multiple frigates participate.

Although Homeworld 2 does not offer conventional difficulty options, it employs an adaptive difficulty system based on the player's fleet composition at mission start. This was sometimes exploited by scrapping ships to convert them into RUs before missions, enabling resource-heavy beginnings against less challenging foes. The game also imposes support limits that cap the number of ships allowed per class.

Single-player missions typically involve objectives such as eliminating critical enemy units, securing targets, defending assets for specified times, or towing objects back to the Mothership. Many tasks require complete eradication of opposing forces.

Multiplayer

The game supports online multiplayer battles accommodating up to six participants.

Plot

Homeworld 2 continues chronicling the Hiigarans’ conflict under their leader Karan S'jet, with the Kushan faction maintained as canonical protagonists.

In both the original game and its prequel Deserts of Kharak, the Kushan discover remnants of the Khar-Toba on Kharak planet, uncovering an ancient Hyperspace Core alongside a star map leading to their ancestral homeworld Hiigara. Using this Core’s power, they construct a self-sustaining Mothership designed to transport 600,000 people across space while fighting off threats including the Taiidan Empire. With assistance from Bentusi traders, they ultimately reclaim Hiigara by defeating the Taiidan Emperor.

The Hyperspace Core is one of three artifacts left by an ancient race known as the Progenitors. The Bentusi control the First Core; approximately a century later, Vaygr Warlord Makaan discovers the Third Core and uses it to dominate former Taiidan territories and neighboring systems. At Homeworld 2’s outset, Makaan besieges Hiigara demanding possession of the Second Core in exchange for sparing their world. He proclaims himself Sajuuk-Khar, destined to unite all three Cores and bring about the return of Sajuuk—an immensely powerful entity.

The story begins with constructing a new Mothership called Pride of Hiigara, commanded by Karan S'jet. During its assembly, it comes under Vaygr attack but manages to escape and gather forces. The Bentusi reveal that locating Balcora Gate—left behind by Progenitors—is vital to halting Makaan or preventing apocalyptic events. The Hiigarans recover a Progenitor Dreadnought necessary to activate Balcora Gate and confront a nearly indestructible Progenitor Keeper AI vessel.

Following a self-sacrifice by the Bentusi’s Great Harbor Ship against multiple Keepers, its Core aids Hiigarans in facing Makaan’s forces. In one of the final missions, it is revealed that Sajuuk is actually a colossal Progenitor starship designed to house all three Hyperspace Cores.

The Hiigaran fleet destroys Makaan’s flagship and secures the Third Core. Reactivating Sajuuk while abandoning Pride of Hiigara, they break through the Vaygr siege, dismantle planet-destroying weapons, and save their homeworld. Sajuuk then unlocks a galaxy-wide network of hyperspace gates, ushering in an era of trade and prosperity known as the Age of Karan S'jet—the legitimate Sajuuk-Khar.

Characters

The storyline of Homeworld 2 is propelled by several pivotal characters:

• Karan S'jet: Returning as the central figure and scientist who previously became the living core of the Mothership, she now commands the Hiigaran fleet aboard the Pride of Hiigara to combat the Vaygr threat. Jennifer Dawne Graveness provides her voice in this installment, succeeding Heidi Ernest due to personal reasons; however, Ernest reprised the role for the Remastered Collection.
• Fleet Intelligence: A male character responsible for delivering sensor data and mission briefings during single-player campaigns, originally voiced by Eli Gabay. Michael Sunczyk, who voiced this role at first, returned for the Remastered Edition.
• Captain Soban: Leader of the Ferin Sha fleet, playing a key role in defending the Pride of Hiigara against Vaygr incursions.
• Captain Elohim: Commands a Kiith Nabaal shipyard that integrates with the Mothership fleet.
• Makaan: Serving as the primary antagonist, Makaan is a warlord governing remnants of the Taiidan Empire. He claims the title of Sajuuk-khar, aspiring to unify the Three Cores and reinstate Sajuuk. Unlike the Taiidan Emperor from the original game, Makaan is portrayed as an experienced tactician and combatant, voiced by Mark Oliver.

Development

The game utilizes a custom scripting language named SCAR (SCripting At Relic), tailored specifically to manage campaign elements such as camera movements, enemy deployment, and progression through levels. Alongside SCAR, Lua 4.0 is employed to design levels (.level files), govern AI behavior, and implement game logic through a Rules Engine. Developers adjust parameters including ambient lighting, background visuals, starting positions, and asteroid placements.

Paul Ruskay composed the soundtrack, continuing his musical contributions from earlier titles in the series.

Reception

Homeworld 2 achieved an aggregate score of 85% on GameRankings and 83 out of 100 on Metacritic. It garnered a 9/10 rating from IGN, while GameSpot honored it as the top computer game released in September 2003.

The game’s background visuals received commendations for significantly enhancing player immersion within its intricate gameplay mechanics.

At the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Homeworld 2 for "Computer Strategy Game of the Year."

Intellectual property history

Approximately one year following its release in August 2004, Relic Studios was acquired by THQ for an estimated US$10 million. Since THQ competed with both Sierra Entertainment and Vivendi Universal, and with Sierra retaining ownership of the Homeworld Intellectual Property (IP) until September 2007, prospects for a sequel were limited during that period. In 2007, THQ entered negotiations with Vivendi to obtain rights to the Homeworld franchise. By November that year, THQ confirmed it had secured ownership but refrained from announcing any follow-up projects.

In November 2008, Eurogamer reported that Relic was actively considering developing Homeworld 3. Lead designer Jonny Ebbert expressed hopeful sentiments about reviving the IP and potential sequel creation, although no specific details were revealed. Tarnie Williams, Relic’s General Manager, later mentioned multiple projects underway but provided no further information. By 2011, Relic indicated enthusiasm for producing Homeworld 3, without confirming active development status.

Following THQ’s bankruptcy and subsequent asset sales in 2013, Relic was acquired by SEGA, but ownership of the Homeworld IP was excluded from this transaction. The IP was later obtained by Gearbox Software, which focused on preserving the original games and making them available on major digital distribution platforms. Gearbox also engaged fans through dedicated community forums to collect feedback regarding future directions for the franchise. Blackbird Interactive—formed by original designers from Homeworld—expressed public support for Gearbox’s acquisition of these rights.

Prequel

In 2013, Blackbird Interactive revealed a title called Shipbreakers, which drew inspiration from the Homeworld franchise but was initially not connected to it. Subsequently, Gearbox rebranded the project as Homeworld: Shipbreakers, officially integrating it into the Homeworld lore. Serving as a narrative precursor, the game was retitled Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak in December 2015 and subsequently launched on January 20, 2016.

Remake

Gearbox announced on July 19, 2013, plans to remake both Homeworld and Homeworld 2, alongside re-releasing their original editions, targeting a 2014 release. By March 2014, the project known as Homeworld HD was renamed to the Homeworld Remastered Collection. After experiencing delays, this collection became available on February 25, 2015. It features both the original versions (with LAN multiplayer functionality removed) and remastered editions developed using the Homeworld 2 engine. Enhancements include upgraded textures in high resolution, modern graphical effects, fully recreated cinematics, and compatibility with HD, Ultra HD, and 4K display standards. Multiplayer gameplay was unified onto a single platform. On August 6, 2015, Aspyr Media launched the collection for OSX users via the Mac App Store.

Sequel

Following strategic development and publisher support, Gearbox produced Homeworld 3, continuing the series storyline. Partial funding for its development was secured through the crowdfunding platform Fig in late 2019. Developed by Blackbird Interactive, this sequel was officially released on May 13, 2024.

External links

• Official homepage (Sierra), preserved via WayBackMachine
• Official homepage
• Official site for Homeworld Remastered Collection
• Homeworld Shipyards, Ship Database archived on Relic