How does this game compare to Homeworld?

It doesn't, it would be like comparing Modern Warfare to SWAT 4. Homeworld is a fairly typical RTS in 3D environment. Nexus is a tactical combat game, where you only get a limited number of ships that you can equip before every mission, and then you have to make do with what you've created. It's really a completely different playstyle.

I've never played MW or SWAT. I've since found a review for Nexus that explained a lot about the game. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_Nexus_PC

I'm looking for a title that comes even close to Homeworld, and as you say, Nexus is a completely different playstyle.

Doesn't mean it's not worht a try tho, personally I prefer Nexus to Homeworld - both by it's story and gameplay. If you're a sci-fi nut and like tactics, you won't be disappointed.

I love Nexus.

It's not at all like Homeworld. It's the Ground Control of space RTS. But it pulls everything off surprisingly well, especially for such a "random" game which came out of nowhere.

Gizmo, since Nexus is fairly cheap, you should definitely give it a try. The graphics have their own style that is at least equal (if not superior) to Homeworld (which is one of my all-time favourites). Also, the game has incredibly cool lighting that really shows off when nuclear missiles go off like a small sun.

Also, you are forced to a rather tactical playstyle - breaking shields while at the same time trying to fire your weapons at certain components (like the enemy's guns or generators) and pounding the hull when the shield falls.

The fleet is not as huge as those in HW. The different sizes are rather realistically displayed - while in HW fighters look like just half the size of a corvette, in Nexus they are tiny when compared to the big boys.

All in all it's not HW, but it's the same genre (true 3D space strategy), so it's not like you have a huge choice of games to choose from.

Are you saying the story is better than the one in Homeworld?

Nope, I'm saying that I, personally, prefer it.

Bad wording on my side.
I wasn't trying to confront your opinion. I just wanted to ask, to all readers, what do they think of the story.
How does it compares to the story element in HW? Would you say it's a good story with interesting characters? Plot twists?


Another question, how does the game plays out?
Is it linear?
Or does the next mission, or even the game finale, depend on how you succeeded or failed in a given mission?

Hideo, which HW are you talking about, HW1 or HW2? I thought that HW1 had a much more moving storyline, the last of an exterminated race and all that... HW2's story didn't catch me as much as the first game did. Now comparing with Nexus 1, this is a completely different game. More down to earth, you could say, and surely less epic, but still very interesting and wanting you to know more. You cannot really compare these games' stories, and it basically is up to you which kind of story you prefer. I'd advise you to watch the Let's Play by Truecade (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC9C020ECC748AD27&feature=plcp), it's without narration and you can get an unbiased view of what you can expect.

I meant HW1.

I just tried the Nexus demo, and oh boy.
I just can't get into the game.

It either has horrible or non-intuitive controls.
Is it that I can only move my units into another unit (like a neutral or enemy ship) ?
So basically I'm limited to straight lines, I can't do a curved trajectory.

Also, I find it really annoying that my units keep moving back and forth all the time, instead of stopping at their destination.

Well, I have never played the demo, but you might want to watch the commented Let's Play made by HitodamaKyrie on YouTube. It should give you some insight on how Nexus is really played.

Anyway, this game truly has a some learning curve, but I would compare it to Homeworld (oh boy, what trouble I had with that 3D movement feature...). Anyway, you can select any waypoint you want by keeping Shift pressed and moving the mouse (I think it was moving the mouse with pressed left button, but I don't remember exactly). This sets the distance, and then you only click on the screen to set the waypoint.

This might sound confusing, but English is not my native language, so plz bear with me. It will take some getting used to, but you will get it soon enough.

As for the constant movement, you have a button on the bottom of the screen (I think it was F1) where you can give the Full Stop order. I remember that Homeworld has a similar feature.

Anyway, take your time to get to know the game, and you will be greatly rewarded.

You can tell your units to stop in position, on a minor off-topic note.

More on-topic, is there a GOG-analogue way to get HW1/2? I've seen a little and heard a lot about them, and they definitely fall into my category of "want to play"

I have no idea, but used copies of HW1 are available on Amazon for 2 Pounds (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00005JHDO/ref=sr_1_3_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1352020142&sr=8-3&condition=used). I guess the prices for the US are similar. And since tere was no DRM back in those days, you don't have to worry about anything.