Unfortunately, these games slipped past me when first released. Relic, with publisher Sierra Entertainment at the time, wanted a 3D real-time strategy between spacecraft. It was given multiple "game of the year" awards by a variety of reviewers; its sequels, Homeworld 2 and Cataclysm, also received decently high praise from critics.

Gearbox Software, current owner of the franchise, wants to see it re-released.

Image Credit: Relic Entertainment

I am optimistic, if slightly cautious, about the franchise's future. Gearbox has a really strong history of porting and polishing games for the PC; being independent, they can also assert their creative control… most of the time. Two recent examples, Duke Nukem Forever and Aliens: Colonial Marines, shows the company will not shy away from shipping a turd if the publisher is not careful what they wish for.

On that note, no publisher or release date has been announced and the games are, by no means, damaged goods. It is, also, still anyone's guess how much work Gearbox will even put into the HD versions. Gearbox hits their stride with bonus content, such as their 6 Halo PC maps and two Half Life expansions, and DLC.