Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II

 PC
  • Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Feb 18, 2009
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1628 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,230 out of 1628
  2. Mixed: 200 out of 1628
  3. Negative: 198 out of 1628
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. AndrewM
    Jan 10, 2010
    4
    Good quality campaign mode, it was accurate to how space marines would do things, not giant assaults out of nowhere. However, I was appalled at the lack of detail in multiplayer and single player scenarios. All the races were almost exaclty the same as the ones next to it and the playstyle was far from how they are supposed to be played, orks dont use tactics, they rely on numbers as do Good quality campaign mode, it was accurate to how space marines would do things, not giant assaults out of nowhere. However, I was appalled at the lack of detail in multiplayer and single player scenarios. All the races were almost exaclty the same as the ones next to it and the playstyle was far from how they are supposed to be played, orks dont use tactics, they rely on numbers as do tyranids (although they probably use more than orks). Furthermore being forced to get a windows live account to play the game is a huge waste of time if you will almost never use it.… Expand
  2. SeanB
    Oct 26, 2009
    4
    Cool graphics and the army painter is definitely much more capable of creating various armies, but many player favorite factions were left out which was an extreme dissapointment. Each mission was extremely repetative, and halfway through the game, I felt as though I had already beaten it. The same tactics can be used over and over again, and the only challenge the game brings is keeping Cool graphics and the army painter is definitely much more capable of creating various armies, but many player favorite factions were left out which was an extreme dissapointment. Each mission was extremely repetative, and halfway through the game, I felt as though I had already beaten it. The same tactics can be used over and over again, and the only challenge the game brings is keeping you interested in it.… Expand
  3. AZ
    Feb 21, 2009
    4
    bleh, just bleh. HUGE fan of DoW1 & CoH, this is just bleh. Campaign got boring and repetitive fast, multiplayer same thing. Its just not that fun with such small armies that can be killed in seconds if you are not watching them the entire time. Very small amount of maps (7!!!!!) causes most games to be a repeat. I was very disappointed, I was sure this would be my next RTS, but no, seems bleh, just bleh. HUGE fan of DoW1 & CoH, this is just bleh. Campaign got boring and repetitive fast, multiplayer same thing. Its just not that fun with such small armies that can be killed in seconds if you are not watching them the entire time. Very small amount of maps (7!!!!!) causes most games to be a repeat. I was very disappointed, I was sure this would be my next RTS, but no, seems like im going back to CoH.… Expand
  4. MattH
    Mar 22, 2009
    4
    A very good game if it were a prelude to Dawn of War [1]. Unfortunately the repetitive nature of singleplayer grinds you down the second play through. Multiplayer is good for 2-3 games but then becomes very predictable and boring. Very few unit choices, very little strategy involved, direful selection of maps (only 7 maps supplied), unit pathing is very poor, cover system and your A very good game if it were a prelude to Dawn of War [1]. Unfortunately the repetitive nature of singleplayer grinds you down the second play through. Multiplayer is good for 2-3 games but then becomes very predictable and boring. Very few unit choices, very little strategy involved, direful selection of maps (only 7 maps supplied), unit pathing is very poor, cover system and your unit's overriding AI spoils micromanagement.… Expand
  5. MatthewC.
    Feb 21, 2009
    4
    too many of the great things from the original DOW have been removed that made this series a good name. It is no longer a RTS but a tactics game like full spectrum warrior. Original games fans will hate this.
  6. AndrewP
    Feb 22, 2009
    4
    More like Dawn of War light than version 2. Only one style of play (attack). Seems focussed on short on-line multiplayer battles. The single player campaign isn't an RTS, more a half-hearted RPG. Without base building, and a poor selection of skirmish game options, this isn't the sequel I was hoping for. And why do I need to log into live to play offline? Why?
  7. JoelJ
    Feb 25, 2009
    4
    Was massively disappointed by this game. I had such high hopes for the sequel to one of my favourite games every. Simply put it's boring, the gameplay is slow, repetitive and small scale. The battles need to be scaled up to at least 4 times the size, there are major balance issues and building needs to be re-introduced. We wanted a sequel to a massive RTS classic, and we got a cheap Was massively disappointed by this game. I had such high hopes for the sequel to one of my favourite games every. Simply put it's boring, the gameplay is slow, repetitive and small scale. The battles need to be scaled up to at least 4 times the size, there are major balance issues and building needs to be re-introduced. We wanted a sequel to a massive RTS classic, and we got a cheap Company of Heroes knock-off. Not happy!… Expand
  8. Andrewk
    Feb 26, 2009
    4
    Even though I am a hard-core warhammer 40k fan, I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this to any warhammer 40k lovers. It does not quite measure up to the last Dawn of War game. I do appreciate how they tried to make their game different from other RTS's by removing basebuilding to focus more on fighting but i still hate it. in short: dont get it.
  9. timo
    Mar 23, 2009
    4
    After some time playing this game, the issues are so glaring i can't really give it any more effort. glaring glaring bugs, bad pathing, problematic maps, Lack of maps, steam AND gfwl combined, cheating/exploiting ruining the ladder. yah the grafix are pretty and stuff, but there are so many problems, wait at least 6 months if you plan to buy it. it should be in the bargain bin, and After some time playing this game, the issues are so glaring i can't really give it any more effort. glaring glaring bugs, bad pathing, problematic maps, Lack of maps, steam AND gfwl combined, cheating/exploiting ruining the ladder. yah the grafix are pretty and stuff, but there are so many problems, wait at least 6 months if you plan to buy it. it should be in the bargain bin, and hopefully reric will have fixed some of the 10000000 bugs by then. but as with most of relics history, their probably already working on the expansion, bugfixes be dammed.… Expand
  10. SteveD
    Feb 19, 2009
    4
    Very pretty, but this is not the Dawn of War franchise I've come to love. Seems to require a powerhouse of a computer to run it even on low settings. Maps seem pretty simple, and the single base building you get is practically indestructable. You're also able to produce a very limited amount of units on the map at one time. It doesn't feel so much like "War", as it does Very pretty, but this is not the Dawn of War franchise I've come to love. Seems to require a powerhouse of a computer to run it even on low settings. Maps seem pretty simple, and the single base building you get is practically indestructable. You're also able to produce a very limited amount of units on the map at one time. It doesn't feel so much like "War", as it does "Small Engagement".… Expand
  11. PratoeM
    Dec 11, 2009
    4
    Horrible multiplayer quality- the stupid thing continually puts you together with people that lag so bad it's ridiculous and who can't play worth a CRAP. Whoever programmed the multiplayer should be SHOT DEAD. It's so pathetic I feel like punching a wall and then killing large numbers of black people.
  12. McMeepers
    May 10, 2011
    4
    Don't get me wrong, the game has some things I like about it, specifically a unique blend of RPG and RTS, not to mention that it has the name of Warhammer 40,000. But like many of the other people who expressed frustration with this game, I felt like it just barely missed being exceptional with a few short-sighted mistakes (including lackluster AI, early-launch bugs, and unbalanced play).Don't get me wrong, the game has some things I like about it, specifically a unique blend of RPG and RTS, not to mention that it has the name of Warhammer 40,000. But like many of the other people who expressed frustration with this game, I felt like it just barely missed being exceptional with a few short-sighted mistakes (including lackluster AI, early-launch bugs, and unbalanced play). The fatal blow to the game in my mind was the repetition. Did they really launch a game with only a handful of maps (campaign) and then expect you to play each one until you can recreate it in your head down to the very last pixel? This is one of the few times that I've been very disappointed with the professional critics because I think they missed the mark in a major way. I understand that they want to support a company who tries something new (i.e. blend multiple genres), but the game simply doesn't rate as well as the critics claimed (which is evident in the fact that, for once, the professional critics have a higher rating than the users).… Expand
  13. Invader-Nik
    Nov 12, 2011
    4
    After playing this game for an hour, i thought to myself, 'why don't I like it?'
    Even though the physics and graphics on this game are good, the multiplayer is awful, the game shouldn't even be a Dawn of war. Compare this to DOW Soulstorm and you'll see a massive difference in gameplay (and graphics).
    If you are a fan of the 40k universe, then play this.
    If your knew to it, buy the previous games
  14. killd1
    Dec 28, 2011
    4
    I was severely underwhelmed and disappointed by this game. Whereas DoW was a true RTS, DoW2 was pushed more in the direction of a hybrid of RTS and ARPG. The single player campaign was very disappointing as you control four of six marine squads going through the same exact handful of maps with the only difference being the loot you pickup and the boss at the end. A complete lack ofI was severely underwhelmed and disappointed by this game. Whereas DoW was a true RTS, DoW2 was pushed more in the direction of a hybrid of RTS and ARPG. The single player campaign was very disappointing as you control four of six marine squads going through the same exact handful of maps with the only difference being the loot you pickup and the boss at the end. A complete lack of creativity in mission structure and goals. You're either going through the map destroying everything or defending your position against several waves of enemies. It quickly becomes stale, boring, and repetitive with the only reason to continue on being what new abilities your squads get and new gear they come across.

    Mulitiplayer isn't bad, but nothing to write home about either. Last Stand is the most popular mode where you control a single hero unit and go up against increasing waves of enemies and try to last as long as possible.    … Expand
  15. northernlad
    Sep 21, 2014
    4
    dumbed down version of the originals and the expansions are poor as well hopefully dawn of war 3 will go back to its roots..........................................................
  16. jakeg313
    Aug 31, 2015
    4
    I tried so hard to like this game but I just can't get over how simplistic it is, even on harder difficulties. Any unit works against any enemy and the lack of strategy is boring to the point of being painful. Yes the graphics are great, but that doesn't excuse or make up for how much they've cut away from the original franchise.
  17. Kotofon
    Jun 6, 2020
    4
    Разработанная одной из лучших студий Relic Entertainment, Dawn Of War II открывает новую главу в известной серии стратегий RTS – переносит игроков на жестокий передний край войны, позволяя им возглавить группу элитарных войск в их миссии по спасению галактики.

    Место действия: 41. тысячелетие в подсекторе Аурелия – кластере миров на краю галактики, где вот-вот начнется эпическая битва.    Разработанная одной из лучших студий Relic Entertainment, Dawn Of War II открывает новую главу в известной серии стратегий RTS – переносит игроков на жестокий передний край войны, позволяя им возглавить группу элитарных войск в их миссии по спасению галактики.

    Место действия: 41. тысячелетие в подсекторе Аурелия – кластере миров на краю галактики, где вот-вот начнется эпическая битва. Древние расы будут сталкиваться на планетах разбросанных по этому сектору, ведь они сражаются не только за контроль над подсектором Аурелия, но и за судьбу своей расы.    … Expand
  18. TrevorCapp
    Apr 5, 2009
    3
    While the game is playable enjoyment is constantly ruined by broken down video display 75% of the time, whoever thought streaming this kind of game in a manor similar to everquest (even saved games have to be loaded from the net) should be castrated. since buying the game I have managed to play 3 small sessions the other times display breaks up to make it all but usless, I will not beWhile the game is playable enjoyment is constantly ruined by broken down video display 75% of the time, whoever thought streaming this kind of game in a manor similar to everquest (even saved games have to be loaded from the net) should be castrated. since buying the game I have managed to play 3 small sessions the other times display breaks up to make it all but usless, I will not be purchasing any other games using Steam hosting as a requirment.… Expand
  19. EddieS
    Feb 26, 2009
    3
    One word sums up how I feel about this game-disappointed. The first Dawn of War was incredible, and got better with each installment. After waiting so long, after all the hype...I wish I would have waited till this hit the bargain bin at walmart while I continued to play the original in the interim. The campaign was fun, a lot of the features are hard to use and not as effective as the One word sums up how I feel about this game-disappointed. The first Dawn of War was incredible, and got better with each installment. After waiting so long, after all the hype...I wish I would have waited till this hit the bargain bin at walmart while I continued to play the original in the interim. The campaign was fun, a lot of the features are hard to use and not as effective as the simpler ones (there's really no point in having cyrus other than to laugh at him during his holier than thou monologues between missions). All this talk about "you really have to use tactics" is nonsense. the controls are clumsy, and you're tactical options are pretty small. "Well...dropped all my bolter turrets, time to try to clumsily select cover that they'll just leave when i tell 'em to switch targets anyway, or will get blasted by a grenade, then i'll have to make all my boys run back to base to reinforce again." The running back to base or comm array or whatever to reinforce is lame. The only real strategic decisions you'll make are "flamers, bolters, or missile launchers for this one?" When you've got something that works, stick with it, improve it. There's a reason there's such a rabid fan base for the first one. By trying to reinvent the wheel they've really gimped their own franchise.… Expand
  20. OttoLo
    Apr 15, 2009
    3
    I spent hours and hours playing DOW1. I was looking forward to this seguel but when I after the first minute playing it...I was horrified. Skirmish sucks...You are not allowed to really build anything, which makes it more easier. And capturing the strategic points ain't fun. The story mode was ok, but I didn't like that they give you so many "heroes" to play. I'd prefer one I spent hours and hours playing DOW1. I was looking forward to this seguel but when I after the first minute playing it...I was horrified. Skirmish sucks...You are not allowed to really build anything, which makes it more easier. And capturing the strategic points ain't fun. The story mode was ok, but I didn't like that they give you so many "heroes" to play. I'd prefer one stronger hero and lots of weaker soldiers. And your only tactic in the game is that you make your way using covers. That is not really tactic. It's all just the same. "Forward, cover, kill. Forward, cover, kill." Of course there is chance of going multiple ways in the map, but it cannot cover all the mistakes. At least skirmish's unit types were acceptable. Graphics are over hyped. From long distance, they look mediocre, but from close they are ugly as dog's ass. Relic really f*cked up with this. No real strategy, mediocre graphics, voice acting from hell and on the top of a cake, NOT REAL SEGUEL, ONLY PILE OF SH*T COSTING 50$. F you Relic, you dissapointed me.… Expand
  21. MikeJones
    Feb 21, 2009
    3
    I don't know how many review sits THQ bought off but this game is a dumbed down console game. You also need to have Steam AND Games for Windoes Live installed and both running for the game to play.

    DRM gone wild..

    Steer clear the game is a bad version of Warcraft 3
  22. MaxSmith
    Feb 21, 2009
    3
    First off you have to install and have Steam and GFWL running in the background even to play this game at all single or multiplayer. DRM gone overboard.

    The game itself has been simplified from RTS to just plain boring garbage squad based boredom. Loot drops, RPG elements, boss fights and oh my Heros. Dawn of loot drops by races that don't even use that loot. Its silly really,    First off you have to install and have Steam and GFWL running in the background even to play this game at all single or multiplayer. DRM gone overboard.

    The game itself has been simplified from RTS to just plain boring garbage squad based boredom. Loot drops, RPG elements, boss fights and oh my Heros. Dawn of loot drops by races that don't even use that loot. Its silly really, insted of building cool bases you just get unlimited units by moving them close to a "beacon" then they pop out of nowhere..MEh just don't buy it trust me.

    The DRM is the worst part of this mess    … Expand
  23. PaoloT
    Apr 12, 2009
    3
    i hate this stupid game, the first DoW is my favourite RTS ever (after Starcraft): this sequel is horrible, slow, with 5 types of unit...the graphic isn't so cool, too...give me the real sequel!!
  24. PB
    Mar 22, 2009
    3
    I'm really disappointed with this game. I was expecting it to be more along the lines of the previous DoW games but more polished. Aside from the improved graphics and having to use cover Relic to a HUGE step back. The squads are smaller, having to build a base to crank out units is completely gone (I found to be one of the great things about all the previous games), the tech tree I'm really disappointed with this game. I was expecting it to be more along the lines of the previous DoW games but more polished. Aside from the improved graphics and having to use cover Relic to a HUGE step back. The squads are smaller, having to build a base to crank out units is completely gone (I found to be one of the great things about all the previous games), the tech tree really limits the player on what he or she can do, with one building and a few units to crank out - it's really not fun. Forget trying to defend points you captured with gun emplacements you now have to leave units scattered around the map or you have to run back and forth trying protect your interests, the population cap is another thing that needs to be looked at. Just - overall disappointing, if I could I would take the game back and ask for a refund. Don't buy it. It's nothing like CoH or any previous DoW. It seems the developers focused more on short movie clips in the game and tried to make the units look more realistic - all at the cost of gameplay.… Expand
  25. Dariune
    May 14, 2009
    3
    This is a dreadful return of a very well made game. Take a mix of DOW and COH and strip them both down to their bare bones. Add absolutely nothing and sell it for full price, calling the dumbed down game with less content DOW2. Save your pennies people, this game is a chore not entertainment.
  26. thedrizzle
    Nov 11, 2009
    3
    Online play is pathetic- matchups include obvious laggers and cheaters when all they have to do is filter by ping- but you will consistently get people that lag like hell - sometimes an entire team of laggers- the people that programmed this are morons- its so simple to calculate whether a game will lag before it starts.. but they don't bother to let you filter by ping.
  27. Metalsand
    Feb 3, 2013
    3
    I loved the first game in the series, the base building, while less than most other RTS games, was still solid, and balanced with the game play. It was, it's own game. I LOVED it.

    Then this game came out. Absolutely HATED it, they took everything I loved from 40k, and just threw it right out the window. Lets take out all the base building, most of the vehicles, and EVERY single    I loved the first game in the series, the base building, while less than most other RTS games, was still solid, and balanced with the game play. It was, it's own game. I LOVED it.

    Then this game came out. Absolutely HATED it, they took everything I loved from 40k, and just threw it right out the window. Lets take out all the base building, most of the vehicles, and EVERY single element that could even be close to macro-managing in favor of uselessly elongated matches.

    And the campaign...they decided they'd make a bunch of 1v1 maps, then just port them all into the campaign. Want interesting match-ups? Too bad. Wanted to do a space marine rush/push? Too bad, because you have to work with 4 squads of 3, which entails sitting around for a long time waiting for them to kill massive spam of enemies.

    Worst RTS I've ever played, by far.    … Expand
  28. Seibab
    Jul 13, 2011
    3
    I was a big fan of the original Dawn of War, so I was pretty excited when Dawn of War 2 came out. This game is probably the most disappointing sequel I have ever purchased! I understand them tweaking the gameplay a little, the first game just had large armies colliding into each other on the battlefield, which isn't very realistic or tactical. BUT I was rarely ever bored with the firstI was a big fan of the original Dawn of War, so I was pretty excited when Dawn of War 2 came out. This game is probably the most disappointing sequel I have ever purchased! I understand them tweaking the gameplay a little, the first game just had large armies colliding into each other on the battlefield, which isn't very realistic or tactical. BUT I was rarely ever bored with the first game, unlike it's sequel which I often found myself only mildly amused. Units don't feel powerful anymore, especially the commander units (except for vehicles), and everything just seems tame compared to the first game.… Expand
  29. GhillieOverwatc
    Apr 6, 2015
    3
    I will start with this; I was disappointed. I have played the Dawn of War series since the first part. For those who have played the first part, think about what you had to do. You had to build a base, manage resources, and place defenses to protect you from the enemy. Dawn of War 2 takes that, and throws it out the window. In the multiplayer mode (I'll get onto the rest later), all youI will start with this; I was disappointed. I have played the Dawn of War series since the first part. For those who have played the first part, think about what you had to do. You had to build a base, manage resources, and place defenses to protect you from the enemy. Dawn of War 2 takes that, and throws it out the window. In the multiplayer mode (I'll get onto the rest later), all you have is one building and two turrets. All the units are available in this one building, and there is only one unit that can place turrets. The strategic points, crit points and slag deposits are gone, and in their places are power and requisition resource points. I understand that some people will say that it focuses more on the tactics, but in the 1st game you had to plan out not only where to go but how to manage your resources. The games that I've played, both with bots and other players, were horrendously short compared to the first. None of that artillery and heavy vehicles also, apart from two or three tanks. I also have to point out the absurdness of the DLC's. The Chaos Space Marines (!) are locked off, and instead we get a Zerg-like alien race. I judge the game by what the base game is, and not by what the DLC's add in. What is even more annoying is that the game even allows you to play against them, the game shows you the race, waves it in front of your face, then snatches it away and asks for another 10 Euros. At least in the first game the races just did not show up if you didn't own them. In conclusion, the multiplayer mode is an offense to the first game. If you want the multiplayer, get Dawn of War 1 with the Dark Crusade DLC. It will be cheaper and more fun than the Second game with the Dark Crusade DLC (I heard that the Retribution is actually decent)
    Moving on to the single-player. The story follows a newly-appointed Force Commander of the space marines - whose name we choose - and his squad. I won't say any more to avoid spoilers. The story is very good. I really like that the squad leaders have names: Tarkus - the leader of the tactical marines, Cyrus, the leader of the Scouts, and more. The voice acting is good and the different teams have lots of diversity. One thing that has been mucked up in the story is the acquiring of Wargear (I'm not even going to mention the tons of Wargear DLC). Wargear is... wait for it... dropped! The whole sense of achievement and customization is gone and replaced with crates that drop the wargear. The rest, though is fairly good.
    Now we come on to the Last Stand mode (By the way, there's a DLC that allows you to play the Last Stand mode! What's the difference? You don't have to open Dawn of War 2! Let me ask you. Is this worth 7 Euros?), and while the mode is fun. It is quite repetitive and unless you want to pay 10 Euros for the Chaos rising DLC, this time two races are locked off! By this rate in the next dawn of war you will have to buy a DLC to play as the Space Marines. This time we are deprived of the Tyranids - the alien race, which would be very useful for this mode. Basically we are thrown into an arena with two other players and we have to survive as long as we can (sound familiar?)In this mode, the random wargear drops make more sense, but what's the point if you can just buy the DLC and get it right away?
    And here I come to the biggest problem with the game. The DLC's. There are 22 of them! Literally, I checked on Steam. This includes: the last standalone- The Last Stand in a Standalone client version(7 Euros). Wagear Packs (7 packs 1 euro a piece) The Ultramarines pack - a replacer for the marines (7 Euros). Keep in mind that all the above mentioned are DLC's that only work if you get retribution.(15 Euros). There are DLC's for DLC's in this game! But I'm not done. There are also Wargears for Last Standlaone, and skin pack that cost 7 Euros. The Grand Master Edition of this game( All DLC's) costs 58 euros! For around that cost that cost you could get the first game with the Dark Crusade addon for you and two friends (It would cost approx 60 Euros). The amount of DLC's is shocking. This puts Call of Duty to shame.
    If you value your money, wait for a sale. Alternatively, get the First game, buy the Dark Crusade DLC and install a graphics mod. It's cheaper. I have to give credit to the voice actors and to the team behind the graphics. As to the rest, a poor effort. For a few steps forward and many leaps back, I give this game a 3 out of 10.    … Expand
  30. brookehillard
    Mar 19, 2009
    2
    great game upon intial look, but features such as waiting up to 20 min for a ranked match and once you get into a ranked match the teams being no where near equal destroy the game. If you are looking for a good multiplayer RTS wait for star craft this x-mas
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best PC Game of 2009
9
#9 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
19
#19 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 67 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 67
  3. Negative: 0 out of 67
  1. PALGN
    85
    The single-player mash-up of RTS and RPG elements works really well, and the multiplayer is fast and exciting. Relic's reinvention of the Dawn of War brand is a breath of fresh (or possibly fetid, Tyranid infested) air.
    Read full review
  2. YouGamers
    89
    Dawn of War II is a highly innovative twist on the usual RTS formula that dares to think outside the box while staying true to the WH40k source material. Campaign co-op play is a great addition to the already superb single player game but the head-to-head multiplayer skirmish is a bit of a disappointment.
    Read full review
  3. GameShark
    83
    Dawn of War was a finely tuned game with huge battles and many disposable troops. Dawn of War II is faster, lighter, smaller, in some ways more interesting and in other ways somewhat lacking in its execution. But taken as a whole it’s impossible to not recommend the game to 40K fans and to those who are willing to accept that this is not a linear sequel to an aging franchise.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »