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Junk Total War for this

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 12
Date: December 29, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Warhammer 40000 is by far the best RTS I have played in a long time. I gave Rome Total War 1 star because I simply hated it, boring to be honest, stunning graphics, but a snooze, Age of Mythology scoring 3 because it had a better story, but this one is a lot more interesting than the others because it puts YOU in control making YOU feel like you are God or something with 4 meter tall robots coming out of the factories screeching lines like ... I am here to serve you master, so you link it with about twenty flying infantry, a leader and off you go with a row of tanks to smash up the enemy orc base. Sounds like any other game, but not Warhammer, just because it is so immersive and the new developments in what you can do and build are many making this the best thing since Red Alert.

The story however is a bit of a let down, a massively impressive opening sequence however with a little bit of back story but the cut scenes just get in the way of the action and you have a good idea of what you must do, get building, get creating, set up defense, make up a strategy and listen to the robots as they hail you to take them off to war as if they really want it. There is a nice change of character types, new items and places to explore. Although somewhat short it packs a whopping punch to boot.

Linear in terms of start here, finish there, all RTS games are nearly the same, save for Dungeon Siege, but that is another game altogether. Here the science fiction world of robots and armored killing machines meets orcs and space entities that all want a bit of your land. There is simply something new at every turn to ponder.

I am impressed by the quality of the battles, very smash 'em up with buildings going up in smoke, space jets flying around the place and giant robots mashing up an enemy mech squad, all pleasing to the eye but require a high end system to match the graphics.

If it is RTS you are looking for then WH40000 is really where it is at. The only disappointing aspect is that the backgrounds are either white or blue with no atmosphere which makes the low angle battle scenes look set against a giant blue bitmap that could have better. Still though, that aside, it is just a big mecha juggernaut of a RTS game that deserves the week or two you will get out of playing it now and again.

You will be into this more than men on horses chucking spears. Highly recommended.

Warhammer 40k universe for average poor people! YAY!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 10
Date: September 18, 2004
Author: Amazon User

When I was 5, like 14 years ago, my brother had a massive army of tiny things. Though he did not give me much info on what the stuff was, I figured out some things. As I grew older, I discovered a lot about this so called Warhammer 40k. I also discovered the insane amount of money and time people put into it. I always wondered about how Warhammer 40k was like to play and about the enormous amount of history in this universe. Until now, I never thought I would know. Now I can explore Warhammer 40k, though I bet its not as good as the real thing. Frankly I really do not have the resources or the patience to get into the REAL game, so this game is the closest I may ever get to it. I think there are many people out there who are like me, and now for fifty dollars, we the people, can command 4 immense armies. No painting, gluing, or poverty! The demo was great, it had some minor graphical clitches (though this could just be my computer, i don't know) but it was great! Go get the game! I very much doubt you'll regret it!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaghhhh!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: October 25, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Not being very familiar with the Warhammer Universe, I was weary of how this game would hold my attention. I should be spat upon by the Emperor's mules for such thoughts!
Relic has, once again, developed a heart-pounding, intriguing and unbelievably gorgeous RTS!! This game is a hit even if you've never seen an Eldar Farseer or Chaos Space Marine. The graphics are easily the highest possible quality ever worked into an RTS. You can see the smudge marks and bullet holes when your units get splattered. Zoom in tighter and you'll see the expression on the Ork's face as a Space Marine Sergeant slashes through his body with a powersword! The opening sequence alone is worth the $50. If you like visceral, futuristic, brutal and breathtaking combat, grab this one now!

Dawn of War, if only you weren't so short.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: April 13, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I'm a writer and freelance game designer, I've been an avid fan of Warhammer for many, many years. Much like the Star Trek franchise, however, Warhammer games have frequently been just terrible, from gameplay to graphics and beyond.

I'm happy to say that Dawn of War raises the bar for not only Warhammer games, but RTS games as well. The game play is typical of all RTS games, very Warcraft, very Dune-like, but what's really missing from the game is the single player length.

The game features excellent detail and customization and a briliant single player storyline however....*SPOILER ALERT*

*SPOILER START*
You can only ever play the Space marines in story mode. The story ends in a climax that leaves you thinking you're about to start off a new storyline with the "next" race, like most RTS's do, but the game just abruptly ends at that point. My biggest, infact only, complaint about the title - you never play anything but Space marines except in Multi-player mode, even though the Eldar, Orks and Chaos are fully developed.

One other minor point, I found the Marines and Chaos to be a little *too* similiar. I realize the Chaos troops *are* still marines, for the most part, but it would have been nice to see some more exotic unit types.

Excellent RTS game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: October 09, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Can't say much except this game is awesome! Compare to the other RTS games, this game has totally unique gameplay that's refreshing. The single player campaign is a little short(11 missions). You only get to play the space marines, but going online to play with other people is definitely more fun. This game is one of those RTS games that gets you hooked for a while. Highly recommend this game to anyone who loves scifi RTS game.

Starcraft 2?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: November 09, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Simply put, the game feels like what StarCraft II would probably feel like. Overall, the flow the of the game is outstanding, and the resource system is much more focused on expansion and a flexible defensive posture than just finding a particular spot to mine. The addition of morale and leaders to the mix really add a great depth to the game not normally found in the RTS market.
In essence, if the concept of "Starcraft 2" sounds good to you, then you'll love this game, even if you aren't faimiliar to Warhammer. The fact that it is based on warhammer just gives it context - you don't need to know it to play the game.
Enjoy!

A must have for fans of Warhammer 40k!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: September 02, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I've been an avid Warhammer 40,00 player for many years. I have seen many games come and go under its name and was disappointed many times. This game however turned that disappointment into awe. The game's engine is focused more on the fighting, which is accompanied by the great graphics and effects. It really gives you the feel that you are in an epic war. Ground upheavesw with ordnance, tracer rounds fly across the screen, rockets leave smoke trails. This is the game that I have been waiting for. While the table top version is still more fun for me, this game is a definite must for fans. And if you are unfamiliar with the Warhammer universe, then this game will introduce you to four of the game's races. A good buy for anyone who loves Warhammer, or RTS games.

Universe of Battle

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: December 23, 2005
Author: Amazon User

It's hard to imagine more obvious RTS material than Warhammer 40,000, but fans had to wait over a decade after the genre came of age for a developer with the guts, gold and Games Workshop support to pull it off. Relic Entertainment has marketed Dawn of War as an industry-defining game that focuses on 'visceral frontline combat', a phrase that appears six times on the game's FAQ page. Unlike traditional RTS, which allegedly revolves round attacking the enemy's supply lines (his 'peons', in case you're not sure which competition Relic's referring to), DOW keeps play at the sharp end through an economy based on controlling 'strategic points' and combat squads that can be reinforced where they stand (by teleportation).

DOW certainly delivers unprecdented unit animation, and atmospherics normally reserved for FPS heavies like Medal of Honor - the screen shakes, combatants yell out randomly, explosions send bodies and terrain flying, etc. Most impresive for an RTS are the hundreds of combat animations, including unit-specific kill sequences that are the most shameless pandering to bloodlust I've ever seen in a computer game (then again, it is Warhammer). By Relic's own admission the camera zoom has no gameplay function, being designed entirely to let you enjoy the carnage up close or from any angle of the compass. Add a gothic soundtrack, and it really does feel like you're in the 40K universe. A universe of battle.

Unfortunately this aesthetic glory has, to some extent, come at the cost of that crucial element of playeability which marks outstanding RTS games. No one cares that Warcraft looks cartoony because the gameplay is so involved. In DOW one often gets the feeling of having nothing to do besides upgrading and placing units in the right spots, as if Relic was afraid of distracting you from that visceral frontline combat. The squad system doesn't leave much room for micromanagement, and renders the numerous upgrades meaningless for gameplay purposes. Even given the constraints of its chosen model however the gameplay suffers from several avoidable defects, such as excessive cooldown times for those abilities that you do control. DOW does at least overcome the RTS Achilles' heel of players being able to solve any problem through sheer numbers; for example, infantry simply can't take on vehicles in this game, at least without specific upgrades. A brief summary of the gameplay's key features follows -

Requisition is the primary resource type, acquired by capturing strategic points with combat units. In good RTS tradition, there's a second resource type to make your life difficult - power is produced at, you guessed it, power generators which are constructed like other buildings.

Strategic Points give you requisition once claimed, and can be fortified with listening posts. Critical locations are worth more, can't be fortified and have special roles in certain game types (e.g. 'sudden death'). Relics are worth the most and give you access to uber-units.

Terrain affects infantry and walker vehicles. 'Heavy cover' for instance slows progress but speeds morale recovery and reduces damage from ranged attacks.

Leader units can be attached to squads, boosting damage and morale. Not to be confused with squad leaders, which are permanent additions to the squad (e.g. Space Marine sergeant) and lend it speciail capabilities.

Uber-units are only available once you've reached the top of the tech-tree and control a relic (numbers vary between maps).

Morale means combat effectiveness. Only applies to infantry squads (level varies between units), who lose it from things like artillery bombardment, daemonic attack etc. Once morale hits zero, the squad effectively ceases to do damage, though it remains under your control - i.e. it doesn't break and run. You have to tell them to do so, for which purpose zero-morale units get a nifty speed bonus. Infantry recover morale faster in 'heavy cover' terrain, while morale can be restored or boosted by various abilities of squad leaders or leader units.

Another area in which DOW stands out against the recent RTS trend is the difference between the game's races, which show a gameplay diversity not seen since Starcraft. Unfortunately the single player campaign involves only one race, a defect rectified in the expansion due to be released this month. The plot (based on the title Black Library publication) is boilerplate 40K fare, with heroic Space Marines battling evil to stop the resurrection of an ancient daemon and save the universe. The AI is tolerable but as always no substitute for a human, so given the lack of a roleplaying element or gameplay flexibility, what you get from the single player experience is essentially an interactive movie.

Quick summary of the game's races follows -

Space Marines - did you buy this game for anything else? Highly versatile (basic squad can be upgraded for any role) and tough as nails; starting race for newbies. Best long-range firepower. High morale that can be restored with the sergeant's rally ability.

Leader Units:
Force Commander - has special abilities against daemons (that's a *daemon* hammer he's carrying). Can call in orbital bombardment once you've built an orbital relay - doesn't do serious damage save to buildings, but it's good to clear the decks if you're in a tight spot.

Librarian - More than your average bookkeeper. Considerable psychic weapons, though not in the same league as the Far Seer's; then again, she doesn't have 1500 hit points when fully upgraded. The Space Marine leaders are so tough they don't need helmets (and yet can take 100 times more punishment than the helmet-wearing workie marines - the game's not THAT realistic).

Uber-unit: Landraider - why do the human ultimates always suck in RTS games?. On the plus side you can build three of them, if you're happy to forego any other vehicles. Doubles as a transport unit. Can be possessed by the Machine Spirit for brief armour bonus.

Terminators/Assault Terminators - infantry don't get much heavier than this. Good against all unit types. Won't get anywhere fast without transports or teleporters (upgrade).

Chaos - Space Marines gone wrong, plus daemons. Meaner in hand-to-hand, but more more expensive and less predictable (lower morale, daemonic units can dissolve or run amok, etc). Vulnerable to Imperial anti-Daemon and Faith-based abilities.

Uber-unit: Bloodthirster (melee only). One mean mother, and can fly to boot. Need to sacrifice one of your aspiring champions to summon him, but hey, what's another puny life in Warhammer 40000?

Leader Units -
Chaos Lord - The scythe ('manreaper') should tip you off on how to use this guy. Like Chaos troops in general, the emphasis is on damaging the enemy's health and morale rather than resilience.

Chaos Sorceror - Packs less punch than the Librarian, but ultimately has a wider range of spells. Needs upgrades to be really useful.

Orks - Big, bad, green. Vehicles are fast and good for short range bombardment but lack stopping power. Best race for close combat (power klaws). Can't aim straight and no armour to speak of, so you need lots of them, especially since morale rises with squad size. That's why they're cheap and quick to produce (orks have a unique unit cap system based on building waagh! banners). If your idea of strategy is to swamp the enemy with bloodthirsty slabs of meat, this is your army.

Leader Units:
Big-Mek - unusual array of support abilities, but also good for bone-breaking combat.

Warboss - like a small tank, but attacheable to squads. Can go one-on-one against pretty much anything. Both the Big-Mek and Warboss have powerful ranged weapons, giving these two an edge over other races' leader units.

Uber-unit: Squiggoth. Akin to those little critters they breed in the gretchin pits, only the size of a brontosaurus and decked out like Eben-Emael. Specials: Unbearable Roar (original, ain't it?) and Trample, which means scattering everything in a straight line like tenpins. Can transport infantry.

Eldar - Highly-specialised units with multiple abilities demand positional warfare (not the race for beginners). 'Fleet of foot' helps infantry to get around quickly, and you're gonna need it - Eldar squads can't take much punishment, even the close-combat ones. Need their bewildering array of upgrades if they're not to get their butts kicked off screen. Once they've climbed the tech tree, Eldar lay down the most short-range firepower of the game's races. Teleporting worker unit is very useful.

Leader Unit: Far Seer - just the one, but she makes up for it with a truly formidable array of pyshic abilities. Make sure you get eldritch storm, it blows away the opposition. The Seer Council is a combat squad of warlocks designed as escort for the Far Seer.

Uber-unit: Avatar (melee only). Choose Eldar just to watch this baby do a barbecue job on the opposition.

Ultimately DOW fails to trump the competition because it's an emotional desert; it lacks the little frills that humanise Blizzard games, like window animations and comedic unit responses. Instead we get spectacular but depressingly severe scenery, impersonal units and effects that are intially breathtaking but soon wear out their novelty value. All said and done however, DOW is a fine game and infinitely superior to the other dismal attempts to date (like Playstation's Firewarrior) to transmute the 40K franchise into the virtual medium. Blizzard fans won't be converted, but it's too intense a ride to miss for any RTS gamer.

50$ Is to cheap for this master peice

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 11
Date: September 17, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I was one of the many beta testers of this game, and let me tell you, I was never a Warhammer fan before,but this game made me one. The graphics are some of the most amazing for a RTS of this calaber, and with the pause and 360 degres rotatable camera some of the most EXCELLENT screens can be made. The feel of this game is incredable I tell ya, this game is just like Command and Conquer the original, a Marvel in its time. The customization of the NPC and squads makes you really feel in charge.

Now some people say warhammer is for "Nerds" "Dorks" and "Geeks" but let me tell you even if you hate War Hammer, you'll love this game just for the graphics and overall command, this game is a shoe in for Game of the Year. This game isnt worth 50 American dollars, its worth so much more. My hats off the the devolpers of this game, because the time I Beta'd DoW was heaven, on gamespy, without having to pay anything :p

All in all this game rocked my world, and if you like RTS of anykind buy this game, or you will be sorry if you dont.

This review is based off what I have played in the demo

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 12
Date: September 21, 2004
Author: Amazon User

NOTE: This review is based off what i have played in the demo!!

Graphics
The graphics in Dawn of War have the most detailed models I have seen in an RTS.Going along with the models are enviornments that look like they have been torn apart by war, and destruction.The animations also have a big part in the graphical sheen of Dawn of War.Every unit has a set of awesome animations, for example the human mech units (Dreadnaught) will swipe at an enemy and then pick them up and throw them away, also the hero unit for the humans(Force Commander) will swing his hammer and send his opponents flying back.

Sound
The sound in Dawn of War is good.The units will have war-cries as they are charging at the enemy.The voice-overs are decent and some of the comments can be pretty weird, or stupid.When you listen to the sounds as a battle is raging on, you will feal you are there.Every slashing,or gunshot, and explosion will get your attention.

Controls
The controls in Dawn of War are like any other RTS.Use the left mouse button to select or create a group, and press the right mouse button to make the selected unit attack or interact with somthing.

Gameplay
The core of Dawn of War's gameplay is like any other RTS, but with a few thing thrown into the mix that make things a little more interesting.First off instead of mining for lumber and gold, you get money automatically.You can get more money faster by capturing control, or critical control points.Like any other RTS you use this money building units or structures.Each unit you build comes in a squad, not individually.You can add to this squad to make it have up to 8 units in the squad.Also there is a cover system, your units will be slower behind cover but will be more protected to enemy attacks.There is a single-player campaign in the game, and a Skirmish mode in which you can play with computer controlled players, and online or LAN multiplayer.In the final copy of the game there will be 4 different races, The Eldar, Space Marines, Chaos(evil Space Marines)and Orks.

Overall
I have not played the full game but I am impressed with the demo I have played.

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