We Love It's Guide to…
Lead Rachel S’jet’s desert expedition in a ground-based RTS, commanding a mobile carrier and land-air forces across Kharak.
Released 20 Jan 2016
Command a Mobile Carrier
Fight Across Dune Lines
Lead Land And Air Fleets
A ground-based RTS prequel to the classic Homeworld games. Assemble your fleet and lead them to victory on the shifting sands of Kharak in this compelling strategy game for PC from Blackbird Interactive.
Developed by Blackbird Interactive · Published by Gearbox Publishing, 2K
Set before the events of Homeworld, the campaign follows Rachel S’jet as she leads an expedition into Kharak’s southern desert after the discovery of an anomaly. Players command the expedition’s forces and mobile carrier, the Kapisi.
Build and direct fleets of ground and air vehicles, from light attack units to heavy cruisers. The carrier serves as a command base and unit producer, while resource gathering, fleet composition, upgrades, and technology research shape your forces.
Fight across dunes, craters, and canyons, using elevation and line of sight to position units or set ambushes. Campaign resources and forces can carry between missions; the game also includes online multiplayer modes, including ranked play.
Players who enjoyed the game often praised its desert atmosphere, campaign presentation, music, voice work, and tactical use of terrain. Some also liked managing the mobile carrier and carrying resources or units between missions. The supplied reviews also frequently raise concerns about launcher or online-service requirements and key rebinding; other criticisms include unit-control frustrations and a campaign some found short or repetitive.
| Platforms | Windows, macOS |
|---|---|
| Steam Deck | Playable |
| Achievements | 48 |
| Age ratings |
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| Players | 1–6 |
| Play modes |
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| Other modes |
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| Multiplayer | The game includes online multiplayer and skirmish play. Official text says players can compete online solo or with friends in a variety of modes, including ranked play. Reviews specifically mention ranked ladder for 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3, plus skirmish battles, online carrier destruction, artifact retrieval, co-op vs AI, and matches against AI or friends. Reviews also repeatedly state the online player population is small. |
| Multiplayer & mods | Reviews say the game does not support modding or official mod tools. One review says custom maps and community patches required hacks. No evidence indicates mods are part of standard multiplayer support. |
| Controller required | No |
| DLC / extras | 4 listed on Steam |
| DRM / EULA |
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| Content notices |
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| Metacritic | 79/100 View on Metacritic |
| Website | Official website |
Games similar to Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak
