Dawn of War games are based on popular tabletop miniature gaming from Warhammer 40000 universe. This universe is filled with horrors unimaginable, Warhammer lore is one of the largest SF settings more detailed than Star Wars and Star Trek combined. DoW games are Real Time Strategy games, and even if you don't particularly like the setting, RTS mechanics these games offer can hook you for months. In 2nd part I will talk about Dawn of War 2 and it's 2 expansions.  

Dawn of War 2

Dawn of War took more strategic approach for the battles, that made them more interesting and units and heroes can level up. Base building is gone and there are only few turrets players can build. To reinforce units you would need to retreat them to the base to recover their numbers, unlike DoW where you can reinforce them anywhere on the map. Story was again focused on Space Marine Chapter Blood Ravens on a planet of Aurelia that got attacked by the new race for the series, and brutal one, the Tyranids, let's just say larger and more ferocius Zergs with trillions more in numbers. There are also some RPG elements when playing campaign where your heroes can level up and find more powerful wargear. Game also featured highly addictive Last Stand game mod where you and 2 other players would defend against 20 waves of monsters. 

Chaos Rising

First expansion introduced Chaos Space Marines in DoW 2 style. This time Chaos was backed by the Chaos God Nurgle and Chaos armies are Nurgle themed with plague and pestilence units, great example for that is the Great Unclean one, greater demon of Nurgle. Campaign map was focused on the Blood Raven Space Marines trying to purge the unclean. Great addition that expanded armies rosters and added more strategic depth. 

Retribution

Another one of my favorite expansions I've had a chance to play. Good old Imperial Guard is playable in this one and this time we have a chance to play as every race in the grand campaign. Players can chose between Space Marines, Chaos, Eldar, Tyranids, Orks and Imperial Guard. Single player is extremely replayable and multiplayer is still highly addictive. One of the games I've played the most in recent years. You can also expand the game with free Elite mod that adds Grey Knights as playable faction. Can't wait for Dawn of War 3. 

Dawn of War 3 Orks Trailer

This was just released yesterday and I got to say, Orks are very nicely done. DoW3 HYPE!

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