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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade

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9.1 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 34 critic reviews
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Based on 72 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: THQ

Developer: Relic

Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: October 9, 2006

Summary

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade is set in Games Workshop's world of Warhammer 40,000 - a dark, futuristic, fantasy universe where armies of technologically advanced warriors, fighting machines and hordes of implacable aliens wage constant war - and is traveled by millions worldwide. As a hybrid expansion, the game offers a complete standalone experience, allowing gamers to play as all seven races, including the all-new, mysterious Tau and the chilling Necron. Fans who own the entire Dawn of War series can look forward to new units across each of the five original races, expansive bonus content and the ability to play as any of the seven races in multiplayer. [THQ]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Winter Assault

Cheat Codes & Hints: GameSpot Hints & Cheats

Also On The Web: Official Website

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...

My Gamer

Even though this reviewer has played every title in the Dawn of War catalog, Dark Crusade still manages the trick of pulling me back into its world of epic conflict and frenetic combat... with a vengeance.

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Worth Playing

There's so much more to do, and it sounds, looks, and plays so well (even better than before), I may never need another RTS. Relic, keep the expansions coming.

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PALGN

Dawn of War was, and still is, a superb real-time strategy experience, and Dark Crusade only adds to what is probably one of the best sci-fi RTS series to date.

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GamingTrend

Dark Crusade provides a very balanced game to the world. Relic has a firm hand on what they want a Warhammer 40K themed RTS to be, and they have succeeded.

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Computer Games Magazine

Dark Crusade is another real-time feather in Relic's cap, even without the Tyranids. [Jan. 2007, p.56]

Games Radar (in-house)

An enormous amount of top-drawer content for $29.99, and newcomers may rightly mistake it for a full blown sequel. Highly recommended.

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Yahoo! Games

By adding more stuff for you to admire and kill, and more places and ways to do it, Dark Crusade gives the already lively Warhammer RTS universe even more life, personality, blood, and meat. It's a gory, giddy delight, with more depth and gameplay than ever.

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GamePro

New races and units aside, the unexpectedly impressive campaign mode is perhaps the best surprise put forward by Relic. Distancing themselves from the linear structure of the previous campaigns, Relic has instead outdone itself once again, putting together a turn-based strategic level campaign that brings to mind the dynamic feel of Rise of Legends.

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GameSpy

The new races and game balance changes have revitalized the multiplayer game, and the new campaign gives plenty of gameplay for single-player fans to sink their teeth into.

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GameDaily

A fast-paced game that will keep you glued to your screen as you purge the planet of alien invaders.

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Next Level Gaming

The difficulty settings are well balanced to allow both the novice and veteran to get a good challenge every time they play.

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Computer Games Online RO

The unit AI is a mess, especially that of the vehicles. If they’re attacked by long range artillery for instance, they’ll usually just stay were they are, not moving an inch to get out of firing range.

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Games Master UK

The pinnacle of sci-fi strategy gaming and better than its parent game. [Christmas 2006, p.98]

AtomicGamer

Dark Crusade, in the end, makes a worthy addition to the Dawn of War franchise.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

Widely available for about fifteen quid, Dark Crusade is a ridiculously attractive prospect for RTS gamers.

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GameZone

Dark Crusade is a great entry point into the Dawn of War series for newcomers. It has an incredibly robust single-player experience and you also get a good taste of the online play.

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PC Zone UK

The maps are still a bit bland. But by god, holy war's never been so much fun. [Christmas 2006, p.80]

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GameSpot

This terrific update to one of the best sci-fi real-time strategy games in years packs in a great strategic campaign and a grand total of seven different interesting, powerful armies.

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Game Informer

Dark Crusade can be enjoyed by new and experienced players alike, regardless of whether you own the earlier installments – even if the hefty challenge makes it more appropriate for veterans.

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IGN

The campaign mode is absolutely interesting and fits wonderfully within the Warhammer 40,000 universe. It's a great beginning to something that we're sure will be bigger and better in the future and provides a ton of gameplay hours and exciting moments.

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Gaming Nexus

A solid entry into the fast-paced, gritty and darkly-humorous Dawn of War series.

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GamerNode

Hands down, Dark Crusade is a hell of an expansion. It adds even more longevity to the Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War franchise, and really opens up the creativity behind all 7 factions.

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Pelit (Finland)

Two new ok races and a new ok-ish campaign. As with BfME’s War of the Rings, War of Kronus feels like a series of random battles rather than actual war. WH40K is still one of the few excellent RTS’s. [Dec 2006]

PC Format

An ace expansion to an already ace RTS. Essential for fans. [Christmas 2006, p.102]

Game Over Online

If you only touched the campaigns in DoW and Winter Assault, you may not find much to latch onto here. The open structure of the Dark Crusade campaign is not far removed from multiplayer or Skrimishes. Naturally, people who’ve been playing those modes constantly should be ecstatic with the new material.

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1UP

An outstanding RTS in its own right, and Relic is currently making the best RTS games in the business. For those already addicted to Dawn of War, this a must-have.

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GamingExcellence

The new single player experience is a big change, but the lack of a good story might irk some people who’d like to see more of the world fleshed out beyond battle after battle. It’s the same tried and true Dawn of War game, but with enough new content to have a good time with.

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Game Revolution

The sheer amount of content alone in Dawn of War: Dark Crusade is worthy of respect. This is the kind of rampant generosity that we love, and it’s worth going to war with robot zombies over.

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AceGamez

Dark Crusade isn't just another collection of random missions and some new units; it's an expansion so crammed with new stuff that it's almost an entirely a new game -and not something that Dawn of War fans will want to be without.

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G4 TV

There's more than enough meat to the single-player component in Dark Crusade to justify a purchase.

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PC Gamer UK

Repetitive, but well worth repeating. [Dec 2006, p.78]

Total Video Games

With a change in design, Dark Crusade captures the emphasis on strategy and combat that the Dawn of War series provides. Admittedly it's beginning to look a little rough around the edges, which isn't helped by the awkward path finding and dated visuals; but it is easily the most expansive, balanced and entertaining offering in the series to date.

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PC Gamer

I would have zero reserverations recommending Dark Crusasde if it wasn't so unbalanced in favor of the Necrons. [Holiday 2006, p.76]

Eurogamer

It's only masquerading as its own game - really, coming straight to this without having played its predecessors will be frustrating and bewildering, and the inability to play as Space Marines, Orks et al online a real slap in the face.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.1 (out of 10) based on 72 User Votes

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

Martin P. gave it a10:
This game is a must for any fan of any RTS... seriously buy it right now... It combines simplisity with complex mechanics to make a game anyone can enjoy but that you may also master... what are you still reading this for?! Buy it right now!

Flaviu M. gave it a9:
Kind of dissapointed .... in the originall dow a god of darkness escaped but they never continued that storie too bad... oh well dow dark crusade is super cool i hope they piece together some of the stories in the versions . Cheers mates.

Travis R. gave it a9:
This is an excellent game that is challenging at first but once you get the hang of taking cover and such, giving dark crusade a 9 because of how over powered the Necrons are.

Chris gave it a10:
This game is great fun with lots of races. although you cant play online with original races without buying the previous games, be happy that you can actually own the game without needing to but the old ones. at least this isnt an expansion pack right?also necron arent rigged just get anything good against heavy infantry. notice that necron dont have any normal infantry at all?

Eric B. gave it a10:
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade; such a long title, accompanied by such a great game. With seven races to play, who all play in a unique way, there's a little something for everyone in this game. Already a great RTS, Dawn of War has solidified its position at the head of the pack by delivering solid game play with massive armies trading savage blows using everything from pistol wielding Commisars to bombardment from outer space. With very little resource micromanagement (you simply take a strategic point or build a power supply building, then solidify it's fortifications with pretty straightforward upgrades) it's a game that is very easy to pick up and play, or to embark on a world-spanning conquest of the six other races that inhabit the world of Kronus. For owners of the original Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, this expansion pack is a MUST HAVE, and for anybody else... well this expansion pack is still a MUST HAVE, you won't be bored anytime soon with so much to do.

Rob S. gave it a9:
Absolutely amazing game, the combat is intense and the races are so different from each other despite how many races there are (I am using this game as an expansion to the first two). This game is a lot of fun but it can get a little repetative and that's the only reason I didn't give it a ten. If it expanded a bit more into the units and tech trees so that by the end of the battle I hadn't done everything I could it would be better.

Jonathan S. gave it a9:
This game is really sweet! The first game was great and was probably the RTS with the most new features the ideas are really good. This is a great expansion pack. I was waiting for some new races and its briliant the way they have made the new necrons since they cant really be killed, witch would make them kind of imba, but they found a great solusion to that, but beware since its quite hard to learn these new races. Expecially the Tau... They are the only reason for im not giving this a 10 beacourse they are funny to play but the really lack firepower since they suck at meele. But everything else about this game is great, so if you have the first one, i deffenetly can recommend this expansion.

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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade

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