Advanced Search >
Help Me Search

Games

Sony

PS3 | PSP | PS2 | PS One

Microsoft

Xbox 360 | Xbox

Nintendo

Wii | DS | GBA | Cube | N64

Other Platforms

PC | N-Gage | Dreamcast

Upcoming &
Recent Releases

sort by namesort by score

84 AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! -- A Reckless Disregard for Gravity
80 AI War: Fleet Command
79 Aion
xx Aliens in the Attic
xx All Aspect Warfare
66 Ashes Cricket 2009
xx Assassin's Creed II
xx Bass Pro Shops: The Strike
91 Batman: Arkham Asylum
82 Battlefield 1943
69 Bionic Commando
xx Black Mirror 2
79 Bookworm Adventures 2
83 Borderlands
xx Cabela's Outdoor Adventures 2009
xx Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
72 Champions Online
73 Championship Manager 2010
70 CITIES XL
xx Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
xx Crane Simulator 2009
62 CrimeCraft
xx CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Deadly Intent
52 Darkest of Days
xx Diablo III
xx Digger Simulator
xx DiRT 2
xx Disciples III: Renaissance
81 Divinity II: Ego Draconis
92 Dragon Age: Origins
xx Dragons Rage
51 Dreamkiller
xx EA Sports GameShow
67 East India Company
xx East India Company: Privateer
xx Elven Legacy: Ranger
74 Empire: Total War - The Warpath Campaign
xx F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn
72 Fallen Earth
68 Fallout 3: Mothership Zeta
xx Family Feud: 2010 Edition
53 Farming Simulator 2009
xx Fatale: Exploring Salome
71 FIFA Manager 10
70 FIFA Soccer 10
88 Football Manager 2010
xx Foreign Legion: Buckets of Blood
xx GearGrinder
61 G-Force
xx Gratuitous Space Battles
82 Gridrunner Revolution
xx Guild Wars 2
xx Guitar Hero World Tour
77 Hearts of Iron III
xx Hei$t
66 Heroes Over Europe
xx Hysteria Hospital: Emergency Ward
xx International Cricket Captain 2009 - Ashes Edition
xx James Cameron's Avatar: The Game
85 League of Legends
xx Left 4 Dead 2
80 Left 4 Dead: Crash Course
xx LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues
xx Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood, The
60 Lucidity
86 Machinarium
xx Madballs in Babo: Invasion
73 Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim
74 Mini Ninjas
xx Mystery of the Mary Celeste, The
xx Mythos
xx Nancy Drew Dossier: Resorting to Danger
78 Nancy Drew: Ransom of the Seven Ships
xx Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy
xx NBA 2K10
xx NBA 2K10: Draft Combine
83 Need for Speed SHIFT
76 Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
69 Order of War
81 Osmos
xx Painkiller: Resurrection
xx Price is Right: 2010 Edition, The
78 Pro Evolution Soccer 2010
xx Puzzle Kingdoms
67 QuantZ
xx RACE On
37 Raven Squad: Operation Hidden Dagger
83 Red Faction: Guerrilla
86 Resident Evil 5
77 Risen
xx Rogue Warrior
xx Rubber Ninjas
xx Runes of Magic Chapter II: The Elven Prophecy
xx Saboteur, The
xx Sacred 2: Ice & Blood
xx Saw
86 Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition, The
72 Section 8
83 Shattered Horizon
xx Sims 3 World Adventures, The
xx Star Trek: D-A-C
47 Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes
xx Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Ultimate Sith Edition
xx Stateshift
xx Storm of War: Battle of Britain
xx Sudoku Ball Detective
xx Summer Athletics 2009
xx Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
77 Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 2: The Siege of Spinner Cay
82 Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 3: Lair of the Leviathan
81 Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 4: The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood
xx Texas Cheat 'Em
xx Time of Shadows: Dawn of Magic 2
82 Torchlight
80 Tropico 3
xx Twilight War: After the Fall
69 Twin Sector
xx Urban Empires
xx Venetica
78 Void, The
72 Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures Ep 4: The Bogey Man
xx WarpForce
44 Watchmen: The End is Nigh - Part 2
xx Where's Waldo? The Fantastic Journey
74 Wolfenstein
xx World of Zoo
79 Zuma's Revenge!

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War

EMAILPRINTpc

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War
86
9.4 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 51 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 65 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: THQ

Developer: Relic

Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: September 20, 2004

Summary

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War is a science fiction real-time strategy (RTS) game set in the violent, post-apocalyptic universe of the 41st Millennium. Utilizing the exceptional game design skills of Relic Entertainment, Dawn of War provides an immersive entertainment experience of epic proportions. Command hardened troops, deadly vehicles and high tech weaponry with one goal in mind, the complete extermination of the opposition. Whether you lead Humanity's finest - the Space Marines, the diabolic and villainous traitors of man - the Chaos Space Marines, the brutal and savage beasts - the Orks, or the psychic and technologically advanced alien warriors - the Eldar, you control the action and the fate of your race! [THQ]

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

GamePro

There's no question that Dawn of War will turn even the meekest, mildest players into bloodthirsty battle addicts.

Read Full Review >
95

Worth Playing

Simply a great game. The streamlined gameplay stressing combined arms tactics over brute force should and will appeal to any RTS gamer who is looking for something new.

Read Full Review >
94

Gamers' Temple

Finally, a Warhammer game worthy of Warhammer... and one of the best strategy games of the year.

Read Full Review >
93

Gamezilla!

For all Warhammer 40,000 fans, you'll find a sumptuous, satisfying look at the age of war, with units that are both familiar and completely faithful, including the impressive Avatar of Khaine. Those of us that are RTS fans will find a game that has some deep gameplay elements, furious action, and absolutely gorgeous art design.

Read Full Review >
93

IC-Games

The RTS game of the year...If it the single player was a bit longer and the cutscenes had been improved then this would be the perfect RTS but as it is its still damn impressive.

Read Full Review >
93

Game Informer

Awesome on almost every level. To be quite honest, it kicks ass in just about every way a strategy title can...It most likely will be remembered as a historic entry in the RTS genre. [Nov 2004, p.164]

93

Gaming Target

A few minor camera flaws are easily overshadowed by the visceral combat experience that Dawn of War offers.

Read Full Review >
91

Warcry

The entertainment of this game was only hindered by the fact that I felt there just weren't enough missions to play through. What Relic did deliver, though, is 13 missions which kept me eagerly coming back for more of a great thing. Kudos!

Read Full Review >
91

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

Hugely immersive, frenetic, intelligent carnage but it's not a big single-player experience. Warhammer finally has a great videogame... For those who aren't interested in tin soldiers - you'd be nuts to miss the finest sci-fi RTS to hit the PC since "Total Annihilation." [PC Gamer UK]

Read Full Review >
91

PGNx Media

The game’s resource management, battles and particularly factions are wonderful and provide much depth to the game without ever overdoing it.

Read Full Review >
91

Game Chronicles

If you are fan of Warhammer or just RTS games in general then you owe it to yourself to buy and play this game. It might be a long time before you play anything else.

Read Full Review >
90

GamerFeed

This incredible title has everything a great real-time strategy game should have. The four factions are very distinct in look and play, the game is challenging, and the graphics and the storyline are fantastic.

Read Full Review >
90

GameSpy

While Dawn of War doesn't break any new ground for the RTS genre, it is, nonetheless, a supremely polished and well-balanced example of it, a credit to both the development team, and a laurel wreath for the license it bears.

Read Full Review >
90

GameBiz

Warhammer and other old-school RPG'ers will definitely be drooling all the way through this one, and even strategy gamers who have not been exposed to the Warhammer "universe" previously will get a lot out of this game, simply because of the great storyline.

Read Full Review >
90

Adrenaline Vault

It is so well crafted that it transcends my usual blocks, and is arguably the most fun I think I’ve ever had playing this style of game. It’s beautiful, it’s easy to use, difficult to master, and extremely replayable.

Read Full Review >
90

Computer Gaming World

A shot of pure-grade real-time strategy adrenaline straight into the veins. [Holiday 2004, p.78]

90

1UP

Relic Entertainment's latest effort does most of the usual RTS things right -- well-balanced, good-looking, deep multiplayer game, all that -- but what sets it apart is how good it looks and sounds while it's doing them.

Read Full Review >
90

eToychest

Stands out by the sheer amount of detail put into each and every unit and action. The opening cut scene is simply stunning in the amount of force and power it portrays and watching the battles is a treat.

Read Full Review >
90

AceGamez

With a wider range of races and perhaps more single-player outings to introduce them, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War could easily have been hailed the definitive RTS.

Read Full Review >
89

Computer Games Online RO

In order to prevent standard strategies, multiple victory conditions can be set in a single scenario, so the battles are very fast paced, with each commander trying to get the upper hand for as long as possible.

Read Full Review >
88

IGN

It isn't that Dawn of War does anything extraordinarily new or brilliant in terms of gameplay mechanics, but the battles are just so damn entertaining and the pace of the game fast enough that it's hard not to have a good time.

Read Full Review >
88

Loaded Inc

I’ve always been more of an action oriented gamer, with little patience for the pacing and resource management of RTS games. However, Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War provides a gaming experience that I enthusiastically endorse.

Read Full Review >
88

GameSpot

While we'd be tempted to say that the skirmish and online multiplayer modes are the main attractions in Dawn of War, that's actually not quite the case. Instead, it's the game's four different sides, each brimming with personality and intriguing tactical potential, that steal the show.

Read Full Review >
88

3DAvenue

The balance of management and action is exceptional, the visuals are up there with the best RTS titles to date, and the action is plentiful - it is hard to ask for much more than that.

Read Full Review >
88

Gaming Nexus

While the single-player offering is lacking, the well-polished skirmish modes make up for most of that deficiency.

Read Full Review >
87

PC Gamer

It'll remind even the most jaded RTS fan how much fun total carnage can be. [Holiday 2004, p.84]

87

GameZone

Gamers who enjoy a more action oriented RTS title without a lot to worry about other than fighting and capturing strategic areas will definitely have a great time with it, regardless of having an in depth knowledge of the Warhammer universe prior to picking it up.

Read Full Review >
87

Jolt Online Gaming UK

There’s not much here that’s new, but at least it’s accomplished, and has been put together with style.

Read Full Review >
85

PALGN

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.

Read Full Review >
84

ActionTrip

An immensely entertaining RTS experience. The combat is visceral, massive and fast-paced and the story is worthy of its great license.

Read Full Review >
83

Game Revolution

Dawn of War's tremendous unit design and the resulting balance makes for some addictive, tactical gameplay. The limited campaign isn’t very long, and, more importantly, isn’t very interesting, but crushing online foes and battling the computer is a blast.

Read Full Review >
83

PC Gameworld

Trying to maneuver a large force of marines and heavy vehicles through the ruin strewn streets of Tartarus can be extremely difficult due to poor path finding by your units.

Read Full Review >
83

Gamer's Hell

While there will always be that nagging suspicion that more could have been done with the story (seriously, only 11 missions??), there are so many fun little things to explore that it really should be considered a success.

Read Full Review >
83

FiringSquad

Although it has an uninspired campaign, it’s very true to the universe. The same can not be said for the combat system, which deviates from the board game a great deal but results in some remarkably bloody battles. RTS games all too often suffer from micromanagement mania, but Warhammer does away with this.

Read Full Review >
83

Game Over Online

Yet it cannot really match the epic scale of "Homeworld" since the entire campaign revolves around the defense of one planet. Strategy fans will find a great game within the box but may end up putting away the disc after a few months, especially if skirmishes aren’t their taste.

Read Full Review >
81

PC Format

There's none of the groundbreaking innovations of the "Total War" series or the gloriously strange "Perimeter," just a conventional game made very enjoyable (more so than it perhaps deserves to be) by a brilliant franchise and spectacular animation... Stunning to behold. [Oct 2004, p.88]

Read Full Review >
81

Computer and Video Games

Fast, furious and gorgeous to behold... Ultimately, it's the visuals rather than the strategy that will endear Warhammer to the interactive generation, and it isn't stretching things to proclaim Dawn Of War one of the best-looking strategy games we've ever played.

Read Full Review >
80

G4 TV

It’s a pinch of innovation in a comforting stew of well-worn RTS conventions. And there’s a whole lot of blood. What more do you want?

Read Full Review >
80

GMR Magazine

DOW isn't a perfect translation of the Warhammer game, nor is it a vastly innovative RTS, but it is a good-looking and fun RTS that should entertain any fan of the genre. [Dec 2004, p.130]

80

Total Video Games

Strikes a near-perfect balance and is likely to appeal both to fans of the genre and those fixated with the source material – perhaps the first time we’ve been able to say that about a videogame adaptation of Warhammer.

Read Full Review >
80

Computer Games Magazine

A fantastic game full of personality, brains, and drop-dead looks with the backing of a popular license. [Dec 2004, p.80]

80

RealGamer

A few more campaigns would have been nice to but hopefully this will be remedied in an expansion.

Read Full Review >
80

Gamers Europe

The attention to detail is amazing and combat animation has been given top priority.

Read Full Review >
80

Yahoo! Games

The attention to detail is rewarding, the incidental battlefield ambience is awesome, and -- geeky bonus -- the game does a magnificent job of translating the gritty feel of the painted-figure tabletop games.

Read Full Review >
80

Eurogamer

It's charm which cements Dawn of War in the affections. In fact, it charms so casually that the contrary parts of the gaming world will just lazily dismiss it as a bimbo. It really isn't. Charm lures us in, but there's enough happening upstairs to keep it firmly in our affections.

Read Full Review >
80

Sydney Morning Herald

Battles are spectacular, thanks to the detailed animation of units, and provide instant feedback on your progress.

Read Full Review >
78

My Gamer

Its tight controls, unique economic system, and challenging enemy AI make Dawn of War an RTS experience that will redefine the genre. Plus, there is still so much additional 40,000 back-story that this game didn’t even touch on that the potential for unique and interesting add-ons is simply mind-boggling.

Read Full Review >
76

Gaming Illustrated

Visually striking and full of atmosphere, it's a fun but altogether shallow experience that you have probably played a hundred times before. But the lack of originality may be compensated by the license for fans.

Read Full Review >
75

GameCritics

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.

Read Full Review >
70

Thunderbolt

This isn't anything new for players to experience. It's the same old formula in a new package, with a new name and new ways to animate the whole process.

Read Full Review >
67

Gaming Age

Playing over a LAN without the headaches associated with internet play can be a blast, either in head to head, teamplay, or grouping against those vicious computer opponents.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.4 (out of 10) based on 65 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Kári Í. gave it a10:
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.

Eva H. gave it a10:
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!

Cody J. gave it a9:
The action that you get into in the game is just great, and then theres the outstanding graphics, and good stratagy as you play, it is simpily one of the best games!

Gabe S. gave it an8:
This game is fantastic, excellent battle sequences, excellent graphics, and a good selection of races. my favorite part of this game is the amount of individual upgrades you can use for your soldiers such as increasing squad size, and adding heavy weapons. the only downside i found in this game is that it requires an extremely powerful computer to run it at its maximum capabilities. most computers of its time could barely run it, and now years later, its still releasing expansions, and still taxing computers.

William T. gave it a9:
If you're a fan of the Games Workshop tabletop game (as I am), you'll love the attention to detail and characterisation. If you're not really into that, you'll love the bloodthirsty action and varied gameplay. And if you're in between, you will love it anyway. Relic, you've got yourself a winner here.

Frank gave it a10:
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.

Chris C. gave it a10:
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.

Read more user comments >

Popular on CBS sites: SEC Football | NFL | Video Game Cheats | iPhone | Video Game Reviews | Notebooks | Antivirus Software

About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use