Homeworld 3's Latest Update and DLC Unlikely to Turn the Tide on Its Negative Steam Reviews

I was all set to dive into Homeworld 3 from Blackbird Interactive and Gearbox this spring. But after hearing some mixed feedback from a fellow gamer, who praised the game's atmosphere and story but criticized its clunky controls and lack of tactical depth, I hesitated. It felt like steering a fleet away from an impending ambush—I held off on buying, hoping the developers would smooth out some of the rough edges.

Today's update might be a step in that direction, but it's hard to say if it's the one that will fix everything. The latest patch includes a number of gameplay improvements, bug fixes, and even some free Skirmish maps. It also arrives alongside the Kalan Fleet Pack DLC, which introduces two new fleets to the game's roguelike War Games mode, including the Kalan Raiders from the story, along with three new ships.

The Kalan Raider fleet is a hybrid of Kalan and repurposed Hiigaran ships. The second new fleet, the Capture Fleet, combines Incarnate and Kalan vessels—perfect for those who enjoy commandeering enemy frigates. The DLC also offers 11 new challenges and 40 Artifacts, but I’m not convinced this will address the bigger issues plaguing the game, especially the negative feedback I’m seeing on Steam. In fact, the current consensus on Steam is “Mostly Negative.” Ouch.

Homeworld 3 was met with much excitement when it was first revealed in 2019, but it’s been a bumpy ride since then. The game faced several delays, primarily to address player feedback, with the controls being a significant pain point. Earlier this year, Blackbird Interactive laid off staff after canceling some unannounced projects, adding more turbulence to the game’s development.

Looking ahead, Blackbird has laid out a roadmap that includes another paid DLC in October, which will add a new playable faction, starting fleets, faction artifacts, and challenges. There’s also a free update with new maps and challenges planned for later this year, with a third paid DLC and free update combo expected in 2025. However, it's hard to see how these additions will significantly alter player sentiment toward the story campaign.

In the vast expanse of deep space, it seems Homeworld 3 is still struggling to find its course. Despite the new content, it's unclear if this will be enough to win back the hearts of disappointed fans. Best of luck, Blackbird—you're going to need it. Until the next transmission, this is USG Evans-Thirlwell, signing off.