Set in the grim, war-ravaged world of Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 universe - a dark, futuristic, science-fiction setting where armies of technologically advanced warriors, fighting machines and hordes of implacable aliens wage constant war - Dawn of War II ushers in a new chapter in the RTS series, as ancient races - including the dauntless Space Marines and savage Orks - clash across ruined worlds on a mission to claim the galaxy and preserve their own existence...

Dawn of War II is an RTS game that attempts, and succeeds, to do something a little different with the genre.

Powered by the re-vamped Essence Engine 2.0, the next evolution of Relic’s proprietary game engine (previously used for Company of Heroes), Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II delivers fast-paced RTS action with ferocious melee and ranged combat in fully destructible environments.

There are two main gaming modes - which feel like two totally different games. There's the in-depth non-linear single-player campaign and a fully-co-operative multiplayer mode.

It's in the single player campaign mode where gamers will notice how different the game play is. You start off in control of a couple of squads - which you can build up to six over the course of the game. This game is not so much about sending a heavily armed unit in to over power your enemy, but is more about tactically thinking and rethinking every move in order to take the enemy by surprise. Instead of charging in it sometimes pays to find cover and pick off the enemy one by one.

Before each mission commences you can outfit your squads with different weapons and accessories to complete the task to your liking. And, as you progress you can level up your squads.

The multiplayer mode treads similar ground to other RTS multiplayer games. Here you choice from the four races in the campaign, as well as one of the hero units to lead the army. Again, as with the single player campaign mode, success lies down the road of tactical game play and not trying to over power the enemy. The main focus of this mode centres around acquiring territory.

Both gaming styles are different enough to ensure hours of entertainment for serious RTS fans.

The main problem I had was the relatively small number of maps and scenery on offer. It's not long before you start to notice very similar looking areas that are repeated across landscapes.

If you're not a RTS fan then you'll want to give this one a wide berth, but fans of the Warhammer 40,000 series will enjoy this essential addition to the series.

8

Nick Smithson