Recent reviews by Laivindil

Faster pacing, ttk, smaller maps etc. So it does play a bit differently. Formations work better than HWR, but I still feel like I have less control than HW1. Even with the changes it feels more like 1 than 2, which I feel is the better game so happy about that.

Needs more skirmish content, which modding may alleviate (bigger/more maps. Slower build up. Would also like more info in the post game). Wargames is a fun addition. Too early to really say on story, but the game oozes Homeworld vibe and you can't really top the HW1 story. So far its been fun, has some nostalgic beats, its more character driven (vs the ships being the characters) which I'm not fond of but ultimately it still feels like a Homeworld game which is all I really wanted.

Edit: Update regarding campaign. The missions themselves are classic homeworld. They are varied, have interesting aspects and tactics, and do some new things even if it is pretty short overall.The story told in the gameplay is good, and fits homeworld. The cinematics are bad. The dialogue is rough, it doesn't look, feel or have the tone as the other games. I could see the same story beats being presented in a way more similar to HW1/C/2 and it would have landed a lot better.

Overall it's a solid game that could use some tweaks/support to flesh out wargames/skirmish. Unfortunately the story is set. Hopefully they are able to make another, whether dlc or another game, and make a story (cinematics/dialogue really) that fits the tone of HW.
8/10 for the *game*
Story 6/10

Edit: Patch 1.1 is out, it helps a lot with fleet/formation AI and engagement. Hopefully just the start of support to come.

Spill oil

It's the best RPG based on D&D.

Builds on the old game in positive ways that will make it great for mods in the long term.

Once you get past the bugs and issues (and most have been patched out) its actually quite fun and an engaging story.

It is the ultimate competitive FPS. Nothing comes close in terms of balancing ease of entry with skill ceiling. Continually tweaked for balanced play. Main negative is the hackers/griefers that you get in competitive play, F2P doesn't appear to have helped in this regard.

If you have any interest in WW2 this is a great starting point into the Paradox Grand Strategy games. Expansions seem to be coming out at a good clip. While there is still a lot more depth to get my head around, once completing the tutorial I felt like I had enough of a grasp to keep going and actually have some semblance of an idea of what I wanted to do and how to get there. Previous games have been much harder to get over that initial learning curve.

The base game has plenty to keep a regular strategy fan occupied for a long time. Throw in the expansions and mod support and this is a game that can tick away the hours with the best of them.

Fantastic game, great setting that draws you in. A unique city builder when a lot these days just sorta iterate on old norms (Simcity style or Rimworld/Prison Architect).

Thus far this game is quite excellent and on a great trajectory. In a lot of ways its like a spiritual successor to the Sid Meier’s ACW games, which were some of my favorite games as a kid. But UG:CW improves on those in almost every way. The maps and controls work great. The campaign is amazing, and something I dreamed of back in the SMG days. I especially like how you can tweak, upgrade weapons, recruit new units or bolster current ones and all those management features of the campaign.

Even though its not complete, the campaign already feels great. The amount of maps they have so far is quite impressive. And they have been adding to it quite quickly. If they continue with the polish and additions at the rate they have been going this will easily be my favorite ACW game.

The Take Command/Scourge of War series has a lot of strengths in terms of control, and the fact its the better simulation. And for some that will certainly make it the better game. But UG:CW has the balance of arcade vs sim that I find more enjoyable and more willing to dive into time and time again.

They still have a good bit of work before the game is truly complete. And I hope they will add to the campaign in a way that allows for more flexibility, and an ability to wage the war the way you want, thus giving you the ability to play it a-historically. I would also like some what if type one off scenarios or what ifs to actual battlefields. They could also add a multiplayer side similar to SMG, where a team can split up the forces, like one commands arty one inf one cav. Essentially, each player would pick the generals and get the troops under that/those generals command/s. But even still, if they just complete out the campaign and continue to patch and polish (I haven't had issues/bugs but for those that do) this will easily sit next to Scourge of War (I really see that as one game even though you have to buy each battle separately, which certainly gives UG:CW a leg up) as the best ACW games to date.

Improves in pretty much every way over the previous titles. The DLC/post release support has been pretty great as well. One of the best wargame series of recent years. The depth and skill ceiling of this game are phenominal, and while I am terrible at the multiplayer it is still impressive and fun to play.