Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II is a real-time strategy tactical-RPG PC game, developed by Relic Entertainment and published by THQ. It is the sequel to acclaimed DoW series, based on the Warhammer 40k universe.

In Dawn of War II, the player chooses one of four armies and leads them to battle across the galaxy. The game includes a campaign story mode, where the player controls the army of Space Marines in a series of non-linear battles. 

Real-time strategy gameplay

Gameplay differs significantly in comparison to its predecessors. The base building mechanic is completely absent from this installment. Instead, the player chooses a set of units that they will use during the campaign mission. These units cannot be exchanged after the mission has started. The enemy units’ A.I. has been improved to seek cover while under fire. The cover system as a whole has become a cornerstone of the DoW II, with mechanics implemented to use as well as negate hiding spots.

Units at the ready

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II features four playable races. The Space Marines, Orks, Eldars and Tyranids. In campaign mode, only the Space Marines are playable, with other classes usable in the multiplayer. Space Marines are the elite galactic warriors, enhanced to the peak of their strength through genetic manipulation and rigoristic training. They excel at short and middle range, using various types of weapons and gear. Orks are a race of savage creatures, who use their brute strength to charge at the enemy and demolish their ranks with melee attacks. Eldars, the masters of evasion and stealth, don’t face their enemy head on. Instead, they rely on exploiting the opposition’s weaknesses and surprising counter attacks. Tyranids are hivemind creatures, who use their numbers to overwhelm the enemy forces.

Online multiplayer and The Last Stand mode

Game features an online multiplayer mode, where two to six players face off in a skirmish match. The matches can be fought in combinations of head-to-head, with two players against each other, two-on-two, three-on-three, free-for-all or team free-for-all, with three teams of two players. The victory is decided upon the number of Victory Points or the destruction of the enemy headquarters. Dawn of War II introduces the Last Stand mode. It is basically a classic multiplayer Horde mode, where three players choose their hero units and face off against the increasingly strong waves of enemies, gaining experience and unlocking wargear.

Non-linear story campaign

Dawn of War II has a story mode, where players control the army of Space Marines in the non-linear campaign. It is up to the player to choose planets and battles in which they want to participate in. The plot of the campaign mode involves the Force Commander, leader of the Space Marines, aiding the efforts against the forces of Orks, Eldars, and eventually the new threat of the Tyranid hive fleet. The player is given three main objectives, which involve preparations for battling the Tyranids and riding the galaxy of them once and for all.

The Master Collection

Master Collection contains the main game, as well as two expansion packs. Chaos Rising adds a new story scenario, new player’s choice-based gameplay mechanic – Corruption, the Chaos Marine faction, as well as new units for other races. Retribution is a stand-alone title and features campaigns for all the races, including the new Imperial Guard, as well as changes in multiplayer and the Last Stand mode, and a new story scenario.

Key features:

• A new page in the Dawn of War saga
• Non-linear campaign giving the player free reign of how to approach it
• Four distinct playable races: Space Marine, Orks, Eldars and Tyranids
• Online multiplayer, featuring the Horde-like Last Stand mode
• Master Collection includes the Chaos Rising and Retribution expansions, offering new units, scenarios, and gameplay