Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Review for PC

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II box art

System: PC	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Relic	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: THQ	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Feb. 19, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-6 (Online)	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Mature	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

After the single-player missions, there's a whole new gameplay style to look forward to. But with such a non-linear single-player campaign, there's plenty of replay value in replaying missions using different tactics, weapons, and upgrades. Along with each mission there are plenty of side-missions that you may have passed on the first time through.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II screenshot

Online multiplayer modes feature Campaign and Skirmish. The Skirmish mode includes one-on-one or three-on-three matches. All four factions are playable, and this time there is a base, but it's used for producing more units. The key to winning the match is acquiring the most victory points, a task that includes capturing enemy strongholds and eradicating enemy units. To keep things on a level playfield, the leveling-up is restricted to the host in the multiplayer modes, but there is a shift back to the micromanagement as there are more units available for each faction that are produced from the base. To diversify the gameplay even further, you can play the entire single-player campaign cooperatively.

Talking with other online players, I was surprised to hear just how well the game ran on various PC systems. A few were running the bare minimum of the suggested requirements with no problems. I experienced only a little bit of slowdown when the combat really heated up. Keep in mind this game is overflowing with production values. Graphically it's amazing, with lots of detail and background animation. With a great soundtrack, Hollywood-quality voiceovers, and explosive sound effects, this game begs to be seen and heard. The interface is user-friendly, and hotkey commands will be automatically assigned to units to make production easier.

The only downside to the game may be the repetitiveness of the map and the online gameplay, but if you really love doing something, it's worth doing it again, and again.

By Cole Smith
CCC Senior Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.8

Graphics
Lots of background detail. Gory, bloody animation. Destructible environments.

4.8

Control
Easy to access interface. Hotkeys make micromanagement slick.

4.7

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Great audio, including voiceovers, soundtrack, and sound effects.

4.9

Play Value
Replay value is off the map. It's like two games in one with plenty to go back for.

4.8

Overall Rating - Must Buy
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Simplified Entry Point: Whether you're new to the genre or a seasoned veteran, Dawn of War II gets you into the action quickly and easily. Learn the game at your own pace and get ready to save the galaxy.

Brutal Frontline Action and Tactics: Get straight into the action and experience intense hand-to-hand and devastating ranged combat. Use vicious close-combat to obliterate your enemies. Outsmart your opponents using dynamic and destructible environments to suppress, flank, and destroy your foes.

Epic Single-Player Campaign: Command an elite strike force, developing the skills and abilities of your squads and commander as you progress through the game.

Co-Op Multiplayer: Play through the entire single player campaign co-operatively with a friend, at any point in the game, anytime.

Persistent Long-Term Goals: Customize your Space Marines with persistent leveling and unlockable special abilities. Equip them with the hundreds of unique weapons and items you earn through mission rewards and battlefield drops.

Next Generation RTS Engine: Utilizing Relic's proprietary Essence Engine 2.0 to deliver cinematic visuals, detailed graphics, and special effects.