Certainly one of the most eagerly anticipated sequels ever and described as the ‘true sequel’ to the long-running Homeworld franchise, Homeworld 3 takes the intergalactic, galaxy-spanning RTS beats that the series has long been known for and builds upon them in earnest, resulting in what is shaping up to be potentially one of the most compelling and polished genre entries to come along in quite some time.
Be sure to keep this guide in your favourites as we cover everything you need to know about Homeworld 3 including the release date, early access details, story details, gameplay details, latest trailer, PC specification details and more.
Homeworld 3 Release Date
Homeworld 3 is set to receive a full release on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on May 13, 2024. Homeworld 3 has not been announced or confirmed for a console release on PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo platforms as of this writing.
Homeworld 3 Early Access & Pre-Order Bonus
Like most recent AAA releases, Homeworld 3 will be offering an early access period to customers that will begin on May 10, 2024. It will be available to those players who stump up the necessary cash for the Homeworld 3 Fleet Command Edition, as it is included as a compelling perk that’s exclusive to that version of the game.
Regardless of whichever edition of Homeworld 3 you happen to pre-order, all players will gain access to the neat Kushan Carrier War Games Skin as part of a free pre-order bonus offer.
Homeworld 3 Special Editions
There are two Homeworld 3 special editions for PC, the Deluxe and Fleet Command Editions, that can be purchased and as one might expect, there are varying amounts of goodies in each that will do their utmost to convince you to part with more of your hard-earned, real-life credits. Here’s the list of the good stuff that comes with each edition:
Homeworld 3 Deluxe Edition
- Base game
- Year one content pass
Homeworld 3 Fleet Command Edition
- Base game
- Year one content pass
- Digital soundtrack
- Exclusive ship decals
- Exclusive profile banners
- Exclusive multiplayer name colour
- Exclusive engine trail colour
- Play 72 hours early
Homeworld 3 Story
Unfolding after the events chronicled in the previous Homeworld games (you can catch up on the story with our handy digest, here), Homeworld 3 begins after Karan S’Jet and her forces have secured a definitive victory over the Vaygr, allowing her to open up the much-needed hyperspace gate network to facilitate trading and prosperity to spread throughout the galaxy. This new age of fortune and peace, known as the “Age of S’jet”, has come to an end however after Karan mysteriously disappears and a new enemy known as the “The Anomaly” begins to tear its way throughout the galaxy, snuffing out any sentient life that it comes across. With one hundred years now passed since her disappearance, Imogen S’jet, the successor of Karan, takes a fleet of her own and ventures out into the perilous cosmic seas in a bid to discover what happened to Karan and to finally rid the galaxy of the Anomaly once and for all.
Homeworld 3 Gameplay
Much like the previous two entries in the series, Homeworld 3 once more leans into its 3D RTS trappings. Once again, the overall objective is to shepherd a fleet of ships through Homeworld 3’s extensive campaign, completing primary and secondary objectives as you progress through the story. As before, the destruction of enemy units and the security of your own will win the day as you leverage smaller fighters and bombers to wreak havoc on enemy ships while larger destroyers and frigates provide both covering fire and support functions from the rear. New to the series however are gargantuan space husks that can be used as a means of cover for smaller craft to get closer to their target, thus introducing an additional, almost cover-shooter-like element to the mix. Put simply, Homeworld 3 is more Homeworld with knobs on and that’s hardly a bad thing is it?
Homeworld 3 Multiplayer Modes
For those who wish to venture into Homeworld 3 with or against others, the series threequel has them more than covered. First off, Homeworld 3 boasts a range of AI skirmish scenarios which can be used as a practice ground before you shoot off and take part in a range of frenetic free-for-all, team battles or 1v1 matches with human opponents. Where Homeworld 3 brings something truly new to the proceedings, however, is in the new War Games co-op mode (which has nothing to do with WWE NXT or William Regal – I promise).
War Games is a three-player co-op game mode which takes place after the events chronicled in Homeworld 3’s story campaign. In War Games, Homeworld 3 combines the core RTS sensibilities of the series with roguelike elements where players tackle a randomised series of combat missions, rewarding competent space commanders with artefacts that not only allow them to upgrade every ship in their fleet but depending on their final results, entirely new fleets to add to their arsenal to boot. With new challenges, artefacts and other content prominently featuring in the Homeworld 3 content roadmap, it’s safe to say that War Games is going to have legs for years after launch.
Homeworld 3 Content Roadmap
Not content to rest on their laurels, Homeworld 3 developer Blackbird Interactive has also unveiled the Homeworld 3 content roadmap as a means of letting players know what new content will be released for its ambitious threequel in the months after release. You can catch a trimmed version of the current Homeworld 3 content roadmap below, handily identifying which of the new content will be free and which will be paid DLC:
- June Free Content Drop: New challenges and artefacts.
- July Paid DLC: New playable faction, new faction-starting fleets, artefacts and faction emblem
- August Free Content Drop: New challenges, new artefacts and new map & system.
- October Paid DLC: New playable faction, new faction-starting fleets and faction emblem
Fourth Quarter Free Content Drop: New challenges, map and more new content.
Where Can I Watch The Latest Trailer?
The latest trailer for Homeworld 3 is available to watch right now and you can catch it above. A story-focused trailer, the latest Homeworld 3 video is a handy visual companion that provides a primer on the history of the series. This should prove useful for both new players and old hands alike who are looking to refresh their memory about prior events.
PC System Requirements
Even though Homeworld 3 is a space-bound RTS, it still manages to push a range of cutting-edge visual features including ray tracing and remains a treat for the eyes all the same. That said, Homeworld 3 is also wonderfully scalable in its visual options and performance, allowing wannabe space strategists to enjoy the game across a wide range of PC configurations. You can catch the latest PC system requirements for Homeworld 3 below.
Minimum Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit/Windows 11 64-bit
- Processor: Intel i5-6700/AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
- Memory: 12 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1060/AMD R9 480/Intel ARC A380
- VRAM: 6 GB RAM
- Storage: 40 GB available space
Recommended Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit/Windows 11 64-bit
- Processor: Intel i5-9600K/AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia RTX 1080 TI/AMD RX 5700/Intel ARC A580
- VRAM: 6 GB RAM
- Storage: 40 GB available space
High Setting Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit/Windows 11 64-bit
- Processor: Intel i7-11700K/AMD Ryzen 7 3800X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia RTX 2070S/AMD RX 6600 XT/Intel ARC A770
- VRAM: 8 GB RAM
- Storage: 40 GB available space
Ultra Setting Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit/Windows 11 64-bit
- Processor: Intel i7-12700K/AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia RTX 3080/AMD RX 6900 XT
- VRAM: 16 GB RAM
- Storage: 40 GB available space
Ray Tracing Ultra Setting Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit/Windows 11 64-bit
- Processor: Intel i7-12700K/AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia RTX 4070 TI S/AMD RX 7900 XTX
- VRAM: 16 GB RAM
- Storage: 40 GB available space
Homeworld 3 on PC
If the above information has got you itching to don your spacesuit and head off into the galaxy, solo or with friends, then make sure you secure your place in space and pick up Homeworld 3 over at the Green Man Gaming store.
