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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Soulstorm pc Game Reviews
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Soulstorm
Critic Score
Metascore: 73 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.0 out of 10
based on 37 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 108 votes
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Rate this game

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Soulstorm is set in Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 universe – a dark, futuristic, fantasy setting where armies of technologically advanced warriors, fighting machines and hordes of implacable aliens wage constant war – and is played by millions worldwide. Soulstorm is a complete standalone title and features two all-new armies, including the malicious Dark Eldar, for an unprecedented total of nine playable races. In addition to new units across each of the seven existing races, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Soulstorm incorporates air units for the first time and introduce multiplayer medals, adding a whole new level of depth to online battles. The revolutionary meta-game introduced in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade is further expanded to an interplanetary scale in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Soulstorm, allowing players to battle across an entire star system. [THQ]

PUBLISHER: THQ
DEVELOPER: Relic
GENRE(S): Real-Time Strategy
PLAYERS: 8
ESRB RATING: M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE: March 4, 2008

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...

90
Pelit (Finland)
Soulstorm should have introduced decent air forces, not just these handful of hovering tank-like units. Otherwise a fun expansion as always. [Apr 2008]
82
My Gamer
Soulstorm does many things differently than many of the other RTS games that have been released in the last ten years, and it does all of them amazingly well.
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81
PC Zone UK
In adding to the weight of maps and playable factions, as a collection, Dawn of War with Soulstorm alongside it sets itself apart from a lot of the more youthful games out there. [Apr 2008, p.66]
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80
VideoGamer
Soulstorm, like its predecessors, does a great job of providing an intense, war-torn, battlefield for you to play with. But the most important thing is that the game is great fun, and will surely touch the soul of every RTS geek who's ever dreamt of being a Space Marine.
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80
GameStar
The third installment of Dawn of War is motivating due to upgradable heroes and battles to conquer fortresses, which add to the standard missions. The missions, which can last up to two hours, are demanding. Quite often you will fight at several fronts at once while being pressed for time.
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80
Cheat Code Central
Soulstorm gives you another kick at the Warhammer cat, proving that the series may indeed have nine lives.
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80
Gamer.nl
Soulstorm is a good addition which expands the lifetime of Dawn of War. The expansion is standalone and still all races are playable in single player. This makes the game very attractive for players who haven't gotten the original game. When it comes to graphics and gameplay, not many things have changed. But the huge possibilities in skirmish and multiplayer compensate for it.
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80
games(TM)
Great stuff. Now how about a proper sequel? [Apr 2008, p.125]
80
Gamers' Temple
Soulstrorm delivers two new factions that are great additions to the Dawn of War conflict.
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80
Worth Playing
It's a solid addition, if not the best expansion in the series overall, and while I'm enjoying it, it really is just more of the same, and I can't help but feel like it could have been a little better.
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80
Armchair Empire
While it's getting long in the tooth, the Dawn of War series is nicely expanded with Soulstorm.
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80
PC PowerPlay
In a genre that’s looking for new ideas, this would be a nice achievement for a brand new franchise. That Relic has managed to surprise us this late in the Warhammer day is all the more remarkable. [May 2008, p.59]
78
GameZone
In terms of what it brings to the table, it’s a bunch of the same ole, same ole, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing since the series was very good to begin with.
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78
Gamers.at
With 29 new multiplayer-maps, two new races and an already a bit aged AI Dawn of War: Soulstorm sadly fails to become, what many RTS-fans were hoping for: A great game. Fans of Warhammer 40.000 and the other Dawn of War-Games shouldn't miss this Stand-Alone-Expansion anyway, because it still packs the same great atmosphere, which made its predecessors famous. [May 2008]
77
Game Over Online
I love the game, I really do, and I'd recommend it to anyone who's still playing Dawn of War. If you're not you may want to wait for the full sequel to the game, which is already in the early stages of development.
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75
PC Gamer
I wouldn't necessarily recommend Soulstorm for players new to the series, as mastering the interactions between nine different races is a serious endeavor, but you're getting a lot of game for $40. [May 2008, p.62]
75
GamerNode
Despite providing the thrilling and series-established RTS gameplay, Soulstorm seems recycled and worn out. Dawn of War fans or RTS players will feel deja vu when playing this game the first time.
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75
PALGN
As solid and reliable as Soulstorm is, it's a largely uninspired attempt to wring a few more bucks out of the series. If it's 'more of the same' that you're after, then go right ahead.
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74
Gaming Nexus
There’s nothing new under the Dawn of War sun. Soulstorm is just a repeat of the Dark Crusade expansion, with two different factions thrown into the mix. It might be worth a look for those who absolutely have to complete the series, but most will get just as much mileage from the previous expansion.
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73
GamingTrend
It seems that as soon as Relic Entertainment gave the reigns to Iron Lore Entertainment a bit of the soul that breathes life into Dawn of War was extinguished.
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73
Computer Games Online RO
Considering the official announcement for Dawn of War 2, Soulstorm can be considered the epilogue for this Warhammer 40.000 generation, and I can’t escape the feeling that the producers wanted to squeeze the last cents with minimum efforts, especially because it's only a half stand-alone expansion which only allows the two new races to be played online, the earlier version being required if you want to play all factions.
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71
FiringSquad
Dark Crusade had done everything already, but the two new races and better campaign are a decent addition when the price gets down to a decent level, that is.
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71
PC Gamer UK
Fun, but not progress. [Apr 2008, p.64]
70
GamePro
Soulstorm is certainly not a bad expansion pack, but time has certainly conspired against it. Being released almost four years after the base game much of the game is showing its legs, especially in the graphics department.
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70
IGN
The main issue here is just that everything feels so familiar. While the game still plays quite well and Warhammer 40K fans will surely appreciate all the unit designs for the Sisters of Battle and Dark Eldar, too little has been done to enliven the experience.
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70
GameTap
Even though it's not as good as previous installments, and is generally more of the same, the fundamental gameplay underneath is still quite amazing, even today (the gameplay excuses its 2004-era visuals).
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70
PC Format
A robust addition to a titan of real-time strategy that plays well on PCs. But it's past time for Dawn of War 2 now. [May 2008, p.108]
70
GamingExcellence
Right now, the game feels dated. It still has the formula that made the game popular in the first place, but that formula is just starting to show its wrinkles.
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69
NZGamer
But, good or bad, it's just more of the same. Not a recommended buy, unless you've lost your copies of the original Dawn of War and the other expansions, and still have a hankering to play.
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67
Game Revolution
Fans of the previous expansions will find it worthwhile for the new maps tha thave breathed new life into the multiplayer. Single-player fans will have plenty of content to distract themselves. It’s a standalone game, too, so folks that haven’t bought into the series to date will have plenty to enjoy.
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65
GameSpot
Soulstorm caps off the long-running Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War series with recycled gameplay.
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60
Play (Poland)
I'm truly sorry to watch such a fine franchise brought to the brink of destruction by ruthless exploitation. Two races - all that's truly new here - are a weak excuse for selling a full priced game with tired graphics, boring single player campaign and imbalanced units. [May 2008]
60
AceGamez
Soulstorm doesn't offer an awful lot of new content, aside for the new maps for skirmishes and multiplayer. The multiplayer is still the highlight of this series and tactically decimating your opponent or friends is a source of endless enjoyment, but the single player in this expansion fails to inspire; there needed to be more involvement with the running of your territories (see the Total War series) for a map-based campaign to work and be really engaging.
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60
G4 TV
Soulstorm is not only a ridiculously long title but a ridiculously very solid package of content. It’s a killer bundle for RTS fans that aren’t too picky about graphics. The problem is that fans of the series, who have already purchased the earlier expansions, are really only getting two new factions and a handful of units.
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60
Eurogamer
Soulstorm is a stopgap game. It really feels like the last breath of the series. And that's a real shame.
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60
GameSpy
It shows flashes of its former brilliance through two new races that are full of personality and are a lot of fun to play with, but falls flat through a lackluster single-player campaign, mediocre (at best) new air units and two devastating bugs that will kill the multiplayer scene until Relic issues an eventual patch.
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58
1UP
At this point, three expansions and three years after the original game, the factions in Dawn of War feel like the various menu items at Taco Bell: The order in which you pile on the beans, cheese, or lettuce doesn't make that big a difference.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 108 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Nate G gave it a10:
I jumped right into the series with Soulstorm, and WOW! Its much different from Warcraft3 and Starcraft, so the learning curve was a bit high. But having such a large variety in races to choose from made it both interesting and fun to play for hours on end.

Mini G gave it a0:
Whatever you do .. do NOT buy this game over steam while visiting a german friend of yours. At least not when you are not fluent with the german language. Steam will do what it does best and give you the choice between a full german version (which I cannot use) and a crippled english version that is missing nearly all of it's ingame texts as well as voice overs and cut-scene voices/subtitles. While not actually being the games fault .. I still cannot play it and will walk a very big circle around THQ and any of their games in the future.

Stephan gave it a10:
This is an amazing expansion! I got all expansions and the original game and I have to say: that the game is finally nearly perfectly balanced, without too strong necrons and stuff like that. The campaign is great, there were a LOT of multiplayer-maps added. This is a multiplayer game, and one of the best ones! So much action, concentrated action due to the territory system (as in Company of Heroes)! It is a must have for a RTS-Fan!

Brad D. gave it a9:
This would have to be the best RTS on the market. The option to select from 9 different races has never been seen before in a RTS. Not only is the attention to detail superb, but game play is seamless, and with the mix of 9 different races keeps you on your toes. I would recommend this game to anyone wanting to purchase a RTS.

Renegade W. gave it a4:
I am really fond of the original game and enjoyed playing the two first expansion packs. But the last one didn't bring enough to me: just an air unit for each faction (they've not a great interest) and two new faction, including one that is just a mix of the guard and the space marines.The new campaign is, despite few new possibilities, the same as Dark Crusade's campaign (especially fortress attacks!).For me, a fan of dawn of war wouldn't get it and prefer playing a still better Dark Crusade.

Sam T gave it a9:
This game is heaven for all gamers, including strategy, role-playing and action. The graphics are not the best but meet the mark for what is required in a good game. The attention to detail is quite unique, espcially in battles, and the viewing camera's ability to zoom right in to battles makes this game perfect for most gamers.

Adam D gave it a9:
Since when is "only 2 new races" a negative for an rts? If what 1up says about all the races being like a taco bell menu is true, then I dare you to play online (or on hard mode) as a race your not familiar with. You will be destroyed. Now to wait for Starcraft 2's recycled gameplay to get a 10/10.

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