Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Winter Assault

The perfect example of just what an expansion pack should be. Not only does it add a completely new race to the game (one which is admittedly perhaps a touch less interesting than the original set) but a pair of brand new single player campaigns, new units to the existing factions and an abundance of other tweaks to the gameplay to keep Dawn of War fans happy.

Picking up both and playing straight through all the campaigns is what I would prescribe for RTS gamers unimpressed by the current offerings from other studios.

If you're a "Dawn Of War" fan, Winter Assault is absolutely essential. [PC Zone]

Still brutally, brilliantly short. [Jan 2006, p.51]

Winter Assault further cements Dawn of War as one of the great next-gen strategy titles. If you thought you were sick of the genre, come back. This is worth it.

It's everything the first game achieved, but improved, and with more. If you're an RTS fan, you owe it to yourself to play this game. The only possible downside is the GameSpy browser for online play, which can occasionally be buggy and difficult to use.

As RTS games go Winter Assault and its parent game are more concerned with being spectacular than they are about being sophisticated, but we appreciate how that works.

If nothing else, this is a solid add-on to a great base game. I just can't think of anything about it that makes Dawn of War any more of a "must-play" than it already is. [Oct 2005, p.146]

If you still play Dawn of War, you need this. It’s a fresh shot of energy into the play experience. What I really wonder is whether people will take to the Imperial Guard in such a way that, three to six months from now, you’ll continue to find people using them online. I think so.

Two new campaigns, new units, and an entire new playable army makes for a great expansion pack.

Winter Assault is, ultimately, a modest expansion pack that will manage to satisfy, if not thrill, Dawn of War diehards. In this topsy-turvy world, sometimes that's more than enough.

It has everything you cold possibly want in expansion, including a great storyline.

You get a new faction that adds a new dynamic to the gameplay without disrupting balance and a new campaign that packs in a lot of gameplay.

Winter Assault is an excellent add-on for an excellent game. While not enough to demand an immediate return to Dawn of War for those sated of its charms, devoted Imperial followers will enlist for this particular crusade. [PC Gamer UK]

Winter Assault adds a new playable faction, new units to existing factions, a new single-player game, and some of tweaks and additions that should make most Dawn of War fans very happy, and might win a few converts, too.

The new race and the gameplay changes have evened out the playfield for a while, offering a chance for new players to get into the game if they missed it the first time around.

There’s precious little to be said about an expansion pack, but I was really happy with Dawn of War, and I’m really happy with Winter Assault as well.

The new Imperial Guard faction adds a great new element to the game, focusing on building technology and research above rushing out to fight.

Is Winter Assault a worthy heir to Dawn of War's Game-of-the-Year status? Heck, yeah.

The Imperial Guard only add to the frantic gameplay in a positive way by allowing a slightly different style of play for the more defensively minded.

The Imperial Guard wasn’t the most obvious choice for Assault, but it seems to fit in just right. There’s enough to love about their style of play for beginners and veterans alike.

It’s simply a superbly put-together RTS which, while lacking in the all-out strategy of "Rome: Total War," excels in traditional "Command & Conquer"-style action.

Relic and THQ once more offer up a sublime strategy game, graced with top-notch graphics, an exciting and epic storyline and a tons of character.

The new additions truly add to the experience and create a fairly satisfying RTS experience.

A super expansion, bringing great new toys to Dawn of War's broiling funbox. [Dec 2005, p.94]

If the Warhammer universe intrigues you, get this add-on AND "Dawn of War." [Dec 2005, p.82]

New units, a new race, and a new campaign mixed with the winning formula and presentation of Dawn of War makes for a great expansion worthy of the original.

Dawn of War's game mechanics should be the role model for the whole stagnant RTS genre. Boosted with Winter Assault, Dawn of War is pretty much the best action-RTS ever. Tyranids next, please. [Nov 2005]

If you passed on Dawn of War because of its complexity, the new, easier to use faction may change your mind.

An absolutely essential purchase for fans of the original, expanding upon the foundations laid by its predecessor and enforcing its position on top of the RTS genre.

Despite some issues with the A.I. and pathfinding, as well as some balance problems, this is a rather extraordinary expansion pack for an already stellar game.