Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak
HOMEWORLD: DESERTS OF KHARAK 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. Crafted by Blackbird Interactive, a studio founded by veterans of Homeworld and Company of Heroes, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak takes players to the deserts of Kharak where danger lurks over every dune. EXPERIENCE AN ORIGIN STORY In Deserts of Kharak’s campaign, an anomaly is discovered deep in the southern desert. An expedition is sent, but the story is not that simple. Discover the story of Rachel S'jet as she leads her people on a quest to find their destiny in an exciting campaign. HEAVY DUTY HARDWARE Take control of fleets of land and air vehicles – from nimble light attack vehicles to massive heavyweight cruisers – built to conquer the desert.
Game Discussion
Steam User 7
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak: Small game with limited playability (very few unit types). Recommended as a technology demonstration for possible Homeworld 3 engine characteristics. Positives: The atmosphere and visual effects are excellent. Deserts of Kharak feels like the spiritual successor to Westwoods Tiberian Sun - a dark, militaristic, no-nonsense RTS.
Steam User 5
Deserts of Kharak takes the series out of the stars and into the sand, but it still feels every bit like a true Homeworld universe.
The vast deserts replaces the deep space, dunes instead of nebulae. But watching our carrier and and fleet maneuver across shifting terrain scratches the exact same tactical itch as its predecessors, only now the horizon replaces the starfield.
Deserts of Kharak proves you don’t need a zero-gravity setting to deliver a classic Homeworld experience. It’s grounded, but it still lifts off.
Steam User 3
A nice RTS with:
beautiful graphics, soundtrack, and sound design;
superbly designed and highly detailed units;
satisfying gameplay of combined arms attacks, flanks, and head-on carrier assaults to tie it all together :D
The implementation of terrain height variation adds a good depth to tactical planning
The story is simple but engaging
It is available for purchase on GOG.com (for 5$ on sale often; current sale till 10.07) without DRM or the need to accept Epic's intrusive EULA, although re-purchasing a game you already own simply due to retroactive user agreement changes really sucks.
Steam User 5
The campaign got me invested in the story; the emotional weight of it is gripping. Gameplay forces you to think carefully. In other RTS games I would usually just crank out enough units to overwhelm the enemy without care for the losses. This is the first one that really forced me to think about what I'm doing and care about protecting my units.
Steam User 4
The best "grounded" RTS in years.
Recommended
Taking a legendary space-opera franchise and putting it on the ground was a huge risk, but Deserts of Kharak sticks the landing. It manages to feel like Homeworld despite the lack of a Z-axis, largely thanks to its incredible atmosphere and "Carrier-as-Mothership" gameplay.
What makes it shine:
The Atmosphere: The scale of the desert, the wind-swept dunes, and the haunting soundtrack capture that signature Homeworld loneliness perfectly.
The Radio Chatter: The ambient unit chatter is still some of the best in the genre. It makes your faceless vehicles feel like they’re manned by actual professionals.
Tactical Depth: Using sand dunes for line-of-sight and height advantages adds a layer of strategy that feels fresh, even for RTS veterans.
The Kapisi: Managing your command carrier—moving it between resource patches and balancing its power systems—is deeply satisfying.
It’s a bit short, and the AI can be a pushover once you learn the mechanics, but as a piece of sci-fi storytelling and tactical gameplay, it’s essential for any strategy fan.
Steam User 3
I recommend because I enjoyed the gameplay.
Like many I am bothered by the online requirement and the Epic Store install.
Game is on the shorter side so buy on sale.
I liked the story and the units.
Reminded me of Ground Control (late 90s).
Didn't try multiplayer.
Steam User 4
Love the style and rts gameplay and having the base. Too bad Homeworld 3 was such a mess.