Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution

 PC
  • Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Feb 28, 2011
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 52 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 52
  3. Negative: 0 out of 52
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  1. Gamereactor Sweden
    Apr 1, 2011
    70
    Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 - Retribution is probably the best game in the Warhammer 40K universe to date. It's just a little bit hard to enjoy everything when it's tormented with bugs and flaws.
  2. Absolute Games
    Mar 29, 2011
    70
    The new playable race and nifty multiplayer additions compensate for the disappointingly short, boring campaigns.
  3. Gamereactor Denmark
    Mar 29, 2011
    70
    In some ways, Retribution feels like a step backward for the series, turning its back on some of the points that made Dawn of War 2 stand out from more traditional RTS games. It's not a bad game by any means, its just not as good as its predecessors.
  5. Eurogamer Sweden
    Mar 14, 2011
    70
    Despite being priced as an expansion, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution delivers a full experience with a solid campaign. However, at the moment the multiplayer leaves much to be desired, with poor architecture and weak matchmaking.
  6. VideoGamer
    Mar 10, 2011
    70
    There's a lot of choice to be had for your money, but the campaign feels a little bland compared to its predecessors, and the idea of repeating it over and over for each of the six races is hardly a pleasant one.
  7. Eurogamer Portugal
    Mar 9, 2011
    70
    Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution manages to be a good expansion, continuing what has been done well in this franchise. There are many missions, many races, many customization options for the units and lots of action and chaos.
  8. Eurogamer Italy
    Mar 8, 2011
    70
    Despite a single player campaign that tends to reapeat itself for every faction, the multiplayer experience and the price are more than enough reasons to convince you to play Retribution.
  9. Gamekult
    Mar 4, 2011
    70
    Quotation forthcoming.
  10. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    May 22, 2011
    60
    It is surprising how fun it can be just dull mouse clicking, lots of violence, blood and death mingle in shadowy battles with soundtrack of stunning explosions and endless exchanges of energetic projectiles. [Issue#203]
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  11. GamePro
    Mar 1, 2011
    60
    But the bottom line is that buying Retribution is just paying for a new faction and not much else. It's a great faction, to be sure, but beyond that, it's a damn shame that Relic squanders their energy on frippery like the silly campaign when important issues like the AI remain unresolved.

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best PC Game of 2011
74
#74 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
92
#92 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 280 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 181 out of 280
  2. Mixed: 73 out of 280
  3. Negative: 26 out of 280
  1. TheBlackRaven
    Mar 1, 2011
    10
    Unlike a RTS such as Starcraft, Dawn of war is better because of it is affordable for it's content ($30 USD and $35-ish in Canadian in storesUnlike a RTS such as Starcraft, Dawn of war is better because of it is affordable for it's content ($30 USD and $35-ish in Canadian in stores I believe). It has a great re-playable campaign with six different races (Imperial Guard, Blood Ravens, Tyranids, Orks, Eldar and Chaos). So far I have only played Imperial Guard and Eldar campaigns and have finished neither in the time I have had to play it. The DLC Last Stand adds a unique twist the multiplayer making you manipulate your individual heroes rather then small armies and using teamwork to achieve victory. The micromanagement of your armies is way more challenging than RTS involving mass-Spam/Suicide *Cough Cough* Starcraft 2. If you're new to the game series you will have to get used to things like Unit facing, the easy to use cover system, and the tech-up system. Another more important thing is the immense strategy involved, if you have a sniper and they have a lot of infantry it willl help you win fights, However if they have armoured vehicles and you do not you are most likely finished. If you are finishing off the series like I am and all three, one of the most notable differences is the generals added into multiplayer game play that and not more windows live (The loss of xbox achievements makes me a bit sad). If you are still reluctant to get it, I think you will be missing out. Relic took a new approach on this game in hopes of picking up first time buyers and I hope more people will be willing to play this great RTS. Note: Please first time buyers do not get this mistaken as a spin of starcraft, The 40K had the concept of space marines way before starcraft was even created. Overall I think this RTS deserves a 10/10 for affordiblity, graphics and gameplay.… Full Review »
  2. Zarmi
    Oct 8, 2011
    9
    Retribution adds a lot to the already exisiting multiplayer in the form of a new faction, new units and overall improved balance. On the costRetribution adds a lot to the already exisiting multiplayer in the form of a new faction, new units and overall improved balance. On the cost of this, the single player takes a large hit and is reduced from a story driven tale of heroics, down to simple cookie cutter maps with loot, where the story is just down right bad. But, this is okay. The game instead turns the focus to multiplayer (and the developers are currently busy balancing and tweaking further to make the game better), where Starcraft 2 revolves around a lot of macro-management, Retribution takes that entire part away and fully embraces a focus on micro-management, where you use few units to accomplish great tasks. I won't lie, from a difficulty point of view, this game is a lot easier than other RTS' in multiplayer as soon as you get used to it. However, up until then, you will be punished a lot for mistakes. Overall: Great multiplayer game, great soundtrack, good graphics and well made. + the developers are still working to make it better, which is always a plus.… Full Review »
  3. Gelston
    Mar 2, 2011
    9
    Excellent game! It is a stand alone, so you do not need the original or chaos rising to play. I haven't tried the multi-player, and I don'tExcellent game! It is a stand alone, so you do not need the original or chaos rising to play. I haven't tried the multi-player, and I don't intend to, so my rating isn't based on any part of that. You get to play the campaign with any of the races, which is excellent. That is one of the things I didn't like about the prior games. There is also a new system for recruiting troops while on the battle field. Similar to playing a single player, non-campaign game. You no longer have to collect war supplies, or health supplies or any of that. All of these items use the squad/hero's energy instead. The supplies in the crates are replaced by requisition and energy, which you use to recruit troops or upgrade heroes. The only thing I really hit it on, is that the campaign is a little short. Not a big deal, as there are five of them, I just sorta wanted to play the Space Marines a little bit longer. Great game! Ignore the 60 over there on Critic reviews. I have no idea what GamePro is thinking.… Full Review »
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