Backseat Reviewers.

LETS open with me saying that, IMHO this is a strong contender for RTS game of 2009. [The other being StarCraft2...get your slave drivers whipping your code monkeys harder, Blizzard!] And so that sets the tone for this review.

Dawn Of War II is the latest game in the DoW series. Like the games before it, it is set in the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000. In this instance, you, the player, follow the campaign of the Blood Ravens, [a chapter created for the DoW games] in their quest to rid this sub-sector of Orks, Eldar and Tyranids.

Unlike its predecessors, DoW II does not contain any form of base building in the main campaign. Instead the focus is on swift tactical decisions and squad improvement. The squad improvement is linked into the RPG element of the game. At first I was like “WTF, RPG in RTS?”. But my skepticism soon fell by the road side after I played the first couple levels and saw first hand how well done the implementation of the RPG element was. It shifts the players thinking from “this unit is just cannon-fodder” to “how best can I utilize the weaponry and perks of this squad.” And so each squad is just as important as the others. Because of this new way to play an RTS, the player gets to customize the units as well as select which units are going to be used for the next mission. Apart from the amour and weaponry that one gets as a reward for completing a level, there are also random drops throughout the game. This randomness also means that no two players will get the same kit on the same level.

Although one could argue there is a liner campaign, there’s not. Every choice made effects the game at a later stage. One can play this game a million times and still play differently every time. The cut-scenes are very well done and the narrative is “perfect” for the game. After every cut scene, I ended up doing my fish impression, thats how awesome I feel they were. The HUD of the “pre-mission” screen, you know the one where you select which mission and what squad is very nice. Its apparent that Relic decided to ditch so many elements from the original DoW and opt for a different feeling for this game. I think that bet paid off… big time. [Now to implement these changes into CoH? Pretty please?]

The gameplay itself is solid. [Thank you Essence Engine 2.0] In short, there have been lots of little improvements from the original DoW and Company of Heros series, like the use of cover, and units complimenting each other.

Whilst you play, actions you take give you experience, yes we all know the basics of an RPG, and this totals up into a campaign score. Further expanding on the RPG element, during battle the enemies occasionally drop loot. This is random and so its unlikely 2 players will pick up the same kit, meaning the game will be played ever so slightly differently. Like I said before, the unit uniqueness adds value to the units and one is less likely to use any unit as cannon-fodder.

DoW II is the first game for Windows that uses the “XBOX live achievements thingy”. Basically sign in with you XBOX live gamer-tag and you get the G score. This is also required for the multiplayer element.

I will not be covering the multiplayer aspects of DoW II, but barring a couple complaints, it too is solid. [In the latest patch, some of these elements have been addressed, like the addition of more multiplayer maps.]

DoW II brings something new to the world of RTS gaming. The unique game style I personally like, and it makes a change from the same old same old of, build base, get resources, build troops, build hero, annihilate enemy. So hats of to Relic for having the balls to do this and not just through out some crap and rely on people liking the original to get this incarnation of the game.

…And so, even if you are not really a fan of RTS, don’t worry, you can always use the same tactics as @Keknath… Select all units and CAHRGE! [Let the cluster-fuck begin.]

The Good

-Intuitive HUD
-Varied Missions
-Nice balance of RTS/RPG elements

The Bad

-Multiplayer aspects [Slowly being addressed by THQ]

The Ugly

-One can only play as the Blood Ravens for the campaign. [Bring on a Tyranid campaign (Y)]

-SpecialDave wishes to thank Iron Maiden for providing the backing music during the playing [of the game] and writing of this review. (B)’s all round.