Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Comments by Jim Rossignol

Got this on pre-order and just waiting for my bonus content key to come through. Review makes the game sound a mixed bag but I enjoyed the multiplayer on the Beta.

be nice if i could play it WHEN I WANT TO WHICH IS NOW(time/date specific moan)

/Places on "maybe get later list".

/Places on "maybe get later list".

be sure to get permission to play it first

Hhmm, seems about par for the course criticism-wise, a nicely written review none the less.

When I was in school, I had a friend who used to stop me from taking the turn onto my road when walking home, every day, by stopping me and talking at me about Warhammer. It was boring as shit. Maybe he wasn't a friend. Either way, I've huge muscles and all the ladies love me.

I'm not much of a fan of base building (thanks to the RTS perfection that was World in Conflict) and the beta was brilliant, so this actually sounds better than the original for me, save for lacking the Tau.

The other brilliant thing about this being released is that Relic can now focus on Homeworld 3 :)

Sounds slightly disappointing, then again I've been looking at the game independent of the original and even CoH, and I don't think I'll dislike it. I'm hoping some of the DLC will improve the issues the game seem to has.

The other brilliant thing about this being released is that Relic can now focus on Homeworld 3 :)

Hear, hear! Although, reading the review, it might be one of the few brilliant things about it. As I loved WiC and thought it was nigh perfect, it seems this has little to offer me in terms of gameplay.

I just hope they give serious thought to any experimental ideas they might have about H3 (and I mean "think, rethink and then check again", not "fuck this, lets milk the franchise" serious thought type). I'd just hate to see it go the same way as DoW2 which, judging from the reviews, proved to be slightly misguided.

Well, thanks to the fluff, feel and some fun I had in beta, I guess I'll give SPESS MEHRENS a shot. Sometime. In (the grim darkness of) the future.

Was hoping it'd get a 7 or less. Played the beta and thought it was shit. They've ruined what was good about the original Dawn of War in my opinion. Ah well.

I have been enjoying the campaign,fuck base building.Was this game reviewed with the new patch?

Good. Now they can go finish Homeworld 3.

(am also only interested in Homeworld 3)

One day all games will be world of warcraft.

"As I loved WiC and thought it was nigh perfect, it seems this has little to offer me in terms of gameplay."

DoW II multiplayer/skirmish has more in common with WiC than with the original DoW at times. If DoW II would have used Massgate.net though then everybody would be playing it I reckon.

"lack of building-up-tech-tree tactical depth"

Where's the need for that if you got diverse heroes and their interchangeable wargear? :) Beta was absolutely ace yep, Live/Steam problems not accounted for then.

This feels rushed. As if they were afraid to release it in the same window as Diablo3/SC2 (whichever comes first).

Did they improve the server browser and the match making? Both were horrible in the Beta. The sb did not even have a refresh button (So much for production values).

So are Chaos in the game in some fashion are are Eurogamer using an inappropriate image for the front page? ;)

How is "8/10" a slight failure?

That review reads pretty much exactly like I thought it would. I'm not too fussy about the game itself still, but I am a sucker for loot. They knew that full well :)

I'll still hold off until I've ploughed through Halo Wars, but after that I think I'll partake in some Ork hunting.

Isn't that a Chaos Space Marine on the article pic... I don't know, haven't played WH40K for a long time!

I liked the BETA, but I didn't think it was as deep as CoH. I bought it (it's on its way) because it's Relic and WH40K, but I don't think I'll play as much as CoH (even though I dislike the WW2 genre, CoH is prefereable).

I think by downsizing, they missed the 'feel' of the WH40K universe.

**EDIT: New Homeworld now, thank you**

Base building was cool in the 90s.

RTS games have evolved... DoW2 is a prime example of a brave new direction that makes RTS games less geeky and more action oriented (instead of learning the fastest tech tree path by clicking a zillion keyboard shortcuts). The only thing that you can say against DoW2 is that the scale is more squad based and hence different from DoW1. BTW maybe people seem to have forgotten that the original rulebook for W40K stated that it was all about squad based combat in the future. So in many ways this goes back to the roots of W40K.

Anyway... I think it is great. I played SC2 a lot as well and I must say that both are excellent and different (SC2 being 95% the same as SC1). Together with Halo Wars the RTS fans will have a wide choice of different play styles to pick from. I will play all of them.

I see no reason why there shouldn't be manly love in space.

I assume that's the plot device you're talking about, anyway.

- Requires steam
- Requires windows live

Sorry Relic, no sale.

This game is so poor.
War ? It's a local gang fight. This is more like a mini game inside original dawn of war.
SP campaign is so boring i almost fell a sleep during first 2 levels.
Tactics ? Running around recapturing victory point.
it is visually beautiful and that's the only plus.

Terrible hybrid between RPG and RTS.

It's a Chaos Space Marine... a Khorne Berzerker....... cowers in shame!

>Tactics ? Running around recapturing victory point.

You probably have a TrueSkill of 1 I reckon.

So Dawn of War II is the game to play with big gay, muscular space marines then?

Cool! :D

Anyway, I finally got to install and try this game this morning despite *spits* Steam's best efforts to thwart me. Looks pretty decent so far although I only got to complete the first tutorial mission and level up two of my space marines, earning 10 Achievement points in the process. Seems weird playing a non-Xbox 360 game though and getting Achievements. It could do without the whole Games for Windows LIVE thing really but there we go...

I'm looking forward to checking this out more thoroughly over the weekend. Company of Heroes is my favourite RTS so I have high hopes that Relic have delivered another enthralling epic.

^^Why is this game so expensive on Steam? £35!

It's £23 for a hard copy from ShopTo.net?!

excuse the thickieness but why does it need Steam and Games for Windows Live? You cant even merge friendslists.

Review seems to nail my concerns perfectly, ie they wanted to strip it down to the combat, but forgot to make that part compelling enough. I'm still getting it though, because:

- Its W40K and the atmosphere / style is amazing
- There aren't anywhere near enough polished PC games released these days (3-4 per year)
- Hopefully the inevitable expansions will improve it

The original DoW is the best RTS I've ever played, simply because its so much fun sending your troops into battle and watching the ensuing fireworks, and the units were great to play with. I'm hoping that is still the case in this even though the game will become repetitive.

Its a bit embarassing for the industry as a whole that they've had to package it with Steam and Windows Live together though.

From what I played of the beta 8/10 seems very generous - especially if the SP campaign is so dull. Don't get me wrong, the beta left me the firm impression that there was a potentially great MP game there - once they fixed all the bugs, sorted out the balance, repaired the broken AI and added more than 5 maps. Y'know, actually *finished* the game... ;)

Pretty much as expected. Shame it doesn't reach the quality of the stellar campaign of Company of Heroes, but I am all in the mood for some "RTS light" with splendid visuals and loot right now.

" Indeed, this is the first time I can remember an RTS asking me to make decisions about how to min/max my particular characters in this most traditionally RPG way."

I think the "Spellforce" series did that before at least for the hero you play.
However on a squad this might be a first.

I read on some US forum that it seems one can't save mid-mission in either campaign or skirmish which would suck a lot.
Can you confirm that EG?

"Dawn of War II's campaign answers that pressing question in its excellent tale of a handful of 41st-century hyper-squaddies."

Warhammer 4,000?

@GoodFella - Because Steam/Valve are greedy bastards, that's why. Just before Christmas when I got my new PC I looked on Steam to see if I could pick up the year-old Crysis on the cheap: it was £39.99!!! I actually bought the game from GAME for £18 a couple of days later. And they say this is the future for games distribution!!!

/shudders

I got my copy for £25 from GAME and it came in a steelbook case with a really good-quality and v. nice key-ring. The fact that the boxed version also uses Steam *AND* Games for Windows LIVE pisses me off to be honest. I got the game yesterday but had to wait a day to play it and, even then, I had problems actually launching the game as Steam seemed to be overwhelmed. It's sorted now though but, honestly, this is the kind of thing that gives PC gaming a bad reputation in the same way that the PC version of GTA IV did.

I'm generally very impressed with Steam but the pricing side of things is just completely wrong. I owuldn't contemplete for a second paying that price.

Anyway, how are you finding the game? I'm still undecided and this review hasn't convinced me to part with my hard earned.

@dingo75 - The missions in Dawn of War II, according to the IGN review, last no longer than 15 minutes so mid-game saves aren't really necessary.

RTS games have evolved... DoW2 is a prime example of a brave new direction that makes RTS games less geeky and more action oriented (instead of learning the fastest tech tree path by clicking a zillion keyboard shortcuts). The only thing that you can say against DoW2 is that the scale is more squad based and hence different from DoW1. BTW maybe people seem to have forgotten that the original rulebook for W40K stated that it was all about squad based combat in the future. So in many ways this goes back to the roots of W40K.


While I agree that evolution is a good thing in RTS genre, I just think that DoW2 got it wrong. "Diablo with squads" doesn't sound too heartening in terms of how much tactics you need to be good at it.

Don't get me wrong, I hate base building, tech trees and all that shit since it has nothing to do with immidiate battle tactics. WiC is an example of a good -tactical- evolution - it forces you to adapt by preventing you being good at everything at any given time, while providing challenge and good 'bang' for your time.

And I do agree, the biggest gripe I have with DoW2 is scale - while it might be a return to the roots, I didn't like WH40k before introduction of the Apocalypse ruleset for a good reason. I just like me big armies and lots lots of destruction - I'd love to see a WH40k Apocalypse ruleset game made Total War style;)

@guernican
I see no reason why there shouldn't be manly love in space.

I assume that's the plot device you're talking about, anyway.

I can't quit you, Brother-Sergeant Avitus.

And you still give it an 8? Maybe all those giveaways increased the score? After playing the beta, I cancelled my pre-order as DoW 2 brings NOTHING over from the brilliant original title. DoW 2 is shallow, online will soon become stale and finding a 'quick match before bed' will be impossible thanks to the stupid match making system.

Dreadful game.

@Grimrita
And you still give it an 8?

That seems to be the general approach to this game in reviews I've seen, again and again the reviewers mention the shallow tactical experience and the repetitive nature of the campaign (often cringing at the boss fights) and then they award it 80+. Bizarre, maybe the multi-player makes up for it but they seem to have issues with that too. It's odd.

@toythatkils

"Dawn of War II's campaign answers that pressing question in its excellent tale of a handful of 41st-century hyper-squaddies."

Warhammer 4,000?

Yes that's how centuries work.

About Homeworld 3, well, I'm not hugely confident that I'd want to play it if it's developed with the same focus as this and the new COH expansion were: you'll end up only controlling a single corvette or something. ;)

@toythatkills
"Dawn of War II's campaign answers that pressing question in its excellent tale of a handful of 41st-century hyper-squaddies."

Warhammer 4,000?

Hehe. Yep, you play a young Steve McEmperor before he became the most Divine Emperor of Humanity handling his first paper route!

It's basically Paperboy with hover bikes. ;)

Jusy replay through Company of Heroes on Expert.

Same tactics as DoW2 but a much better campaign and vastly more fun.

@Zuljin: "- Requires steam
- Requires windows live

Sorry Relic, no sale. "

More fool you then. Anyone who owns a PC capable of playing these games and DOESN'T have Steam is a cock, tbh.

No Steam = you don't have Half-life 2. How the hell do you sleep at night?! o_O

another RTS game with an uninspired single player mode. Pass.

Would anyone mind if I called Dawn of War 2 a Chaos Gate 2? It seems like graphically upgraded, and tactically downgraded version of that old warhammer 40k classic. Pity they didn't include optional turn based gameplay in DoW2, but oh well.

Oh, by the way: dear author of this lovely article: chaos gate allowed to tinker with a lot of space marine gear you found during missions years before anyone heard of world of warcraft. Just a little tidbit of info :)

PS.
The full title of that old game is Warhammer: Chaos Gate, if anyone would feel curious about it.

Chaos Gate? Awsome game. Loved it to bits and still have it hanging around somwhere. Always wanted a remake/sequel of it. The PSP warhammer game just didnt have the continual character progression so never bothered with it.

-wolfman

@Lemming81
"More fool you then. Anyone who owns a PC capable of playing these games and DOESN'T have Steam is a cock, tbh.

No Steam = you don't have Half-life 2. How the hell do you sleep at night?! o_O"

Anyone ever told you its a bad thing to assume?

I have steam. I have windows live. I can't access steam from work, so I can't play LAN games at work. Hence no sale, I'm not buying it just for single player. Feel free to feel silly at any point.