Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War

 PC
  • Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Sep 20, 2004
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 458 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 401 out of 458
  2. Mixed: 44 out of 458
  3. Negative: 13 out of 458
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  1. EvaH.
    Jan 4, 2009
    10
    One of the best games ever, only lacks more than one playable party in single player campaign. But hey, just get the expansion packs and you can play them all!
  2. LiamS.
    Nov 2, 2004
    10
    Fan-friging-tastic! It totally captures the Warhammer 40k universe and is visceral and violent, just as it should be. The campaign should have been longer, but I'm sure this will be handled in expansions.
  3. RobH.
    Sep 15, 2004
    10
    Wow...simply awesome.
  4. AntoninusC.
    Sep 29, 2004
    10
    Without a doubt the best 40k PC game ever, they got the feel right, it looks right, and plays right. On a par with StarCraft as a uber quality RTS. Well done to the Relic team, but really, what else do we expect :)
  5. SlaaneshLordOfPainandPleasure
    Sep 15, 2004
    10
    Best RTS since Starcraft!
  6. RossD.
    Sep 20, 2004
    10
    Class!!
  7. TheManichaean
    Sep 22, 2004
    10
    The first thing that I need to say is that this game is very well executed. Games Workshop PC games have, in the past, been notoriously glitchy. Who knows why, maybe it was because of the attempts to port very well established rule systems into a PC platform not so easily designed to accept those parameters. Regardless, Dawn of War stands head and shoulders above other GW games. Its The first thing that I need to say is that this game is very well executed. Games Workshop PC games have, in the past, been notoriously glitchy. Who knows why, maybe it was because of the attempts to port very well established rule systems into a PC platform not so easily designed to accept those parameters. Regardless, Dawn of War stands head and shoulders above other GW games. Its gameplay is smooth, its controls are smart, and the teams seem pretty well balanced (though only time and patches will tell the truth). This is a very good Real Time Strategy game, but we all know that there is huge competition in the RTS world. How does DoW stand up to the others? Surpirsingly well. Instead of trying to out-Warcraft WC3, it sticks closely to GW's brilliantly designed tabletop gaming rules and actually brings out a very unique gaming experience. I can honestly say that I have not played an RTS that is similar to DoW. And that's a good thing, because in my opinion, you simply cannot outdo Blizzard's War/Starcraft series and (to a lesser extent) Microsoft's Age series on their own turf. You need to carve out your own niche, and DoW does it. The combat system is smooth and very intriquing-probably DoW's biggest innovation. We actually get a feel for the difference between ranged combat, melee combat, and artillery! Let me elaborate--in other RTS', artillery is a long range gun is a long range knife. Your troops would really do the same thing either way, just at different ranges. In DoW, troops with ranged weapons are just like you remember. Close combat, however, is different. Your troops will actually pick up their hand weapons and charge right into combat! Artillery is different, too--you can use indirect fire in addition to direct line of sight fire. Unit creation and design is also surprisingly customizable. Units are actually based on squads, instead of individuals. Each squad is composed of somewhere between 4 and 20 members, and you can actually modify the contents of each squad. Do you want more heavy weapons? Buy them. Do you want better close combat? Flamethrower. And these are modifications that you carry out on your most basic of units. Squads, as they take damage, don't die as a big bunch--they simply lose members. As they die, you can choose to reinforce them and regrow the squad, or you can just let them die. In addition to health, each squad also has a morale value. This number varies wildly within battles, dropping as the squad takes damage and casualties. Heroes and commanders can boost morale, but if it bottoms out, your unit actually runs away. They don't go berserk, but you can't force them to fight--they must run and regroup later. Some weapons in the game, such as flamethrowers and sniper rifles, are designed to attack morale. Vehicles are really well done, too--transport vehicles, combat vehicles, and some specialties. With the combination of limits on vehicle numbers and the design of vehicles, you really get an enjoyable impression of vehicles being used as support for your ground troops instead of being used as a mass of force. Some players may not like this, but I believe that it adds to the effect of the game. (I was the guy who hated the old fashioned Starcraft Protoss 24 carrier mass) Heroes are really powerful on their own, but in the end they seem to shine when joined with your squads to boost the rank and file power. Their design lies pleasantly in-between the hero-centric WC3 and the hero-anonymous Age of Mythology. The big question in my mind is this: will GW/THQ keep up the support multiplayer as well as Blizzard? While it might be unfair to make these comparisons, half of the appeal of WC3 to me is the constant patches issued by the maker. Will GW/THQ show this kind of effort in continually balancing their game? I hope so, but only time will tell. And the downsides? So far, it seems like a processing hog when you get a lot of troops on the screen. And the Eldar's unit speech is wickedly irritating. Outside of this, I don't have a lot of complaints yet. So to sum it up--good game. I like it. See you online. … Expand
  8. BenH.
    Sep 26, 2004
    10
    Best RTS ive played since age of conqs expansion came out. Its what we all expected Warcraft 3 should have been like... I really like the way you can add battle commandeers to troops and then upgrade and reinforce them its awesome.
  9. LukeP.
    Mar 20, 2005
    10
    Incredible game, puts all other rts's to shame and has re-invigorated the genre for me, this is what pure battle tactics and thrilling warfare is all about. I eagerly await winterassault! if u want a absolute corker of a rts and dont mind having gorgeous graphics and presentation to go with that, then look no further.
  10. SeanL.
    Oct 6, 2006
    10
    This game is freaking awesome.
  11. MattM.
    Sep 1, 2007
    10
    Most excellent RTS. The story is good enough to make you want to continue playing the single player. Good variation to units and many options. A little hard to keep up with individual unit status with large armies though. But it is a must buy!
  12. J.French
    Oct 13, 2004
    10
    What I've been waiting for in an RTS. What Starcraft SHOULD have been!
  13. A.Rey
    Oct 20, 2004
    10
    Absolutely awesome. I love warhammer and the thrist for battle is quenched marvelously in this game! I'm hooked and can't wait for an expansion.
  14. JimR.
    Dec 14, 2004
    10
    Best RTS since Red Alrt 2...WrHmmr is all about having FUN, which I thought was the point of, uh, Games in the frst place...
  15. RogerV.
    Aug 21, 2004
    10
    This iz a great game and i recommend it to anyone who iz interested in RTSs!!!!!
  16. RobinD.
    Sep 18, 2004
    10
    I have to agree with the gamespy review and then some.
  17. ChazyC.
    Jul 1, 2005
    10
    I don't know how to put it,this is easily the most fun and most realistic 40k game ever ! no more single unit hordes which were so difficult to control ! its evenly balanced, so all sides stand an equal chance of victory, although i admit that some speach(eldar) is INCREDIBLY annoying after a while. the campaign was way short, but on insane it can take forever to complete, so lets I don't know how to put it,this is easily the most fun and most realistic 40k game ever ! no more single unit hordes which were so difficult to control ! its evenly balanced, so all sides stand an equal chance of victory, although i admit that some speach(eldar) is INCREDIBLY annoying after a while. the campaign was way short, but on insane it can take forever to complete, so lets face it, this game is starcraft with better graphics and a whole new feel that places it in a league of its own!… Expand
  18. JackB.
    Aug 24, 2007
    10
    An awsome, intense and insane game from the awsome models "Warhammer 40,000".
  19. ConorH.
    Sep 10, 2007
    10
    A brilliant game for a good LAN.
  20. KáriÍ.
    Feb 5, 2009
    10
    Really good game. Loved it but there is only one problem. This is just like warcraft 3. No changes. Except this happens in the future, I can see the game now in my mind on pc gamer. Warcraft 40k. Great game ,still.
  21. markB.-E.
    Jul 5, 2009
    10
    the best RTS-game at the moment! Especially with the addons.
  22. EmanuelS.
    Oct 13, 2004
    10
    Incredible. A must have for any warhammer fan. Also a must have for any RTS fan.
  23. Chimp
    Sep 11, 2004
    10
    If you enjoyed starcraft, you will LOVE this game. if you play 40k tabletop, this is the PERFECT pc version of that. im not going to go explaining all its features but lets just say it takes an excellent RTS base thats simple and makes sense, with amazing battles that can be viewed from any angle, and it does this perfectly to the tabletop game, i.e., giving squads heavy weapons, attachingIf you enjoyed starcraft, you will LOVE this game. if you play 40k tabletop, this is the PERFECT pc version of that. im not going to go explaining all its features but lets just say it takes an excellent RTS base thats simple and makes sense, with amazing battles that can be viewed from any angle, and it does this perfectly to the tabletop game, i.e., giving squads heavy weapons, attaching characters, etc. NOTE: you need one hell of a good PC to run this game so it looks as good as the screenshots and runs perfectly.… Expand
  24. JaredT.
    Sep 21, 2004
    10
    Best RTS since Starcraft, except with good graphics.
  25. CraigE.
    Dec 18, 2006
    10
    Absolutely brilliant for variety, different strategies and ease of loading more great custom maps.
  26. Frank
    Dec 22, 2007
    10
    Truely spectacualr, the entire serise is a legendary coolection of epic battles and campaign storey lines. The enire warhammer sereise is popular, but the warhammer 40k editions have outdone even the highest standards. Each game an excellent purchase and a truely gripping, exciting and action packed experience. Internet multiplayer just adds to the awesom entirety that is Warhammer Dawn of War.
  27. ArshadS
    Dec 9, 2009
    10
    Played this for 2 years every day until the expansions! Great game.
  28. ChrisC.
    Dec 17, 2007
    10
    This game is simply amazing from the battles to the commanders. Not to mention it keeps you coming back for more. The online play is just as fun as single player. A must get for any stratagy fan.
  29. Fauz
    Sep 8, 2010
    10
    If you're a fan of the Warhammer 40k franchise, you'll enjoy this series of games by THQ. Dawn of War brings the tabletop miniatures game to life in 3D RTS with explosive action and gore.
  30. DonCanardo
    Jan 18, 2012
    10
    One of the best (if not the best) game I ever played. Got clever design features which make the game really nervous at all stage, where numerous RTS you might stay in your base until you have a big army. Best translation of Warhammer ever. Epic animations who make want to watch replays on and on. 9 factions in total with the extensions. Great in multiplayer or in Skirmish vs IA (especiallyOne of the best (if not the best) game I ever played. Got clever design features which make the game really nervous at all stage, where numerous RTS you might stay in your base until you have a big army. Best translation of Warhammer ever. Epic animations who make want to watch replays on and on. 9 factions in total with the extensions. Great in multiplayer or in Skirmish vs IA (especially with Dawn of Skirmish Mod). Best RTS game ever.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best PC Game of 2004
14
#14 Most Discussed PC Game of 2004
11
#11 Most Shared PC Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 51 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 51
  3. Negative: 0 out of 51
  1. GameCritics
    75
    Everything that Dawn of War does it does exceptionally well. The only real problem is that everything it does has already been done a hundred times before.
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  2. PALGN
    85
    The best real-time strategy for a long time. If you have been searching for a real-time strategy game your search is over, whether you are a Warhammer 40,000 fan or not.
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  3. Gaming Target
    93
    A few minor camera flaws are easily overshadowed by the visceral combat experience that Dawn of War offers.
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