I’ve always avoided playing Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. For years, despite having numerous opportunities to buy it and being aware of its existence, I simply didn’t have any interest in Warhammer growing up, as the franchise wasn’t popular in Portugal where I was raised. My initial encounter with the game a few years back was far from pleasant due to technical issues that made playing at a decent resolution an arduous task. Consequently, I left the game gathering dust in my collection. However, the release of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition recently sparked my curiosity again, enticing me to revisit the classic title.
- Genre: Real-Time Strategy
- Developer: Relic Entertainment
- Publisher: Relic Entertainment
- Release Date: 14th August 2025
- Price: $26.99/ 25,64€/ £21.59
- Buy at: Steam
- Reviewed On: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X 3.70 GHz, 16GB RAM, NVIDIA GTX 2080
Dawn of War is frequently praised by gamers as one of the greatest real-time strategy (RTS) games ever created. Upon its release in 2004, it stood out with its advanced technology, earning acclaim for its stunning graphics, intricate animations, and impressive special effects. Unlike many RTS games during that period where factions were largely similar apart from some minor unit variations, Dawn of War offered a refreshing change with each faction playing distinctly differently.
For the first time in an RTS game, it introduced a cover system, which later became a key element in games like Dawn of War 2 and Company of Heroes. The game was also known for its grandeur and spectacle, accurately representing the world it portrayed.
It’s no surprise that Relic’s game, Dawn of War, was a huge commercial hit and earned numerous awards and nominations for Strategy Game of the Year. However, it ultimately lost out on the top spot to Rome: Total War.
Relic’s game, Dawn of War, became an enormous commercial success and received many awards and nominations for Strategy Game of the Year. Yet, it ended up as a runner-up, losing first place to Rome: Total War.
Dawn of War – Definitive Edition preserves the original game’s content, gameplay, units, and mechanics, making it essentially the same as it was 20 years ago. While other Definitive Editions like Age of Empires, Age of Mythology, and Stronghold offer significant improvements from their originals for the same price, the Dawn of War Definitive Edition seems a bit underwhelming in comparison. If you’re seeking just a modernized version of the original game, this release should meet your expectations. However, I can’t help but feel that more could have been done to enhance the value, especially considering it costs around $30.
In this section, I’d like to provide a brief overview for those new to Dawn of War, or have heard about it but haven’t played the original version yet. It’s an authentic real-time strategy (RTS) game in every sense, featuring base construction and unit creation and upgrading. While these elements make for intense battles, they can often result in large units clashing head-on, as opposed to intricate, tactical combat seen in games like Company of Heroes or Men of War. Dawn of War delivers a different kind of experience, one that’s fitting given its Warhammer universe, and while it may not offer the same level of granular combat, it still offers an action-packed and visually impressive gameplay.
In other words, assuming all other factors remain constant, what has been enhanced or upgraded? Primarily, the game’s enhancements include visual improvements that elevate its overall quality of life. A major transformation took place in the graphics department, making the textures more refined, especially on units and terrain. If you were to compare these new elements with their original counterparts, it would be like day and night. Additionally, the game now offers better shadows and graphics, contributing significantly to a more immersive experience in 2025 – though I should note my personal reservations.
It’s unclear if the sound quality has been enhanced, but this game sounds fantastic to me. Compared to more contemporary games, it truly excels. Every weapon discharge, whether it’s the sharp crack of gunfire, the high-pitched whine of lasers, the thunderous boom of explosions, or the battle cries, stands out clearly.
Now, let me divert a bit and discuss unit barks. These are the noises units make when you command them. They’re just perfect Warhammer madness, and I find them utterly delightful: “For the Emperor!”, “I am the instrument of His will”, “Walk softly, and carry a big gun”. These phrases never grow old for me.
The updated version of the game functions perfectly on current systems, and attempting to play the original as I did was quite frustrating due to the complex setup process. For your convenience, the HUD has been optimized for contemporary screen ratios, as the original game had a 4:3 aspect ratio. Moreover, it now supports 64-bit and includes an integrated mod manager to enhance compatibility. However, I’ve encountered issues running some mods, which might be due to them not having been updated yet. Relic Entertainment mentioned that not all mods will work immediately upon release. If you are keen on utilizing mods, I recommend waiting a few weeks to ensure everything is functioning correctly before adding them to the game.
After experiencing the original campaign for the first time, I must admit that it remains incredibly engaging. In comparison to Tempest Rising, the 2025 standout in real-time strategy (RTS), I’ve found myself having more enjoyment with the Dawn of War campaign. For those who have been following my reviews, you know I lean towards single-player games, and this one did not disappoint upon my initial playthrough. It may be short and somewhat straightforward, but it still provides a fun gaming experience. Now, I’m eager to explore the rest of the game’s campaigns. As for that, let’s delve right in!
The Complete Edition of Dawn of War brings together all the expansion packs for the original game in a combined set, ensuring you have access to every piece of content from Winter Assault, Dark Crusade, and Soulstorm expansions. If you’re more into solo play, there are four campaigns available for your enjoyment, which could keep you engaged for around 30-40 hours. Additionally, an incredible skirmish mode is included, where players can experiment with various combinations of factions/teams across numerous maps.
From its launch, the initial Dawn of War consistently boasted a highly engaged and bustling multiplayer community. Given the exceptional quality of the Definitive Edition, I don’t anticipate this trend shifting in the near future, making it an optimal choice for play at the moment. As such, it’s not hard to visualize veteran players gravitating towards it. Furthermore, considering that the Definitive Edition is affordably priced under $20 for owners of the original Dawn of War, it seems likely that many will make the move.
In terms of enhancements, I believe there are certain aspects where Relic could have taken it a step further by incorporating fresh content without compromising the essence of the original. For instance, adding an exclusive campaign specifically for the Definitive Edition would have been quite evident and seems almost inevitable, considering this is something other games in its category have done on their definitive editions. I can’t help but wonder if there was any reason beyond simple laziness that prevented this from happening. It’s hard to imagine a financial rationale for not doing so, given the benefits it could bring.
Instead of just suggesting a new faction like the Tyranids or Primaris Space Marines might be too challenging for the game, how about considering a generic Genestealer Cult as an alternative? This could serve as the foundation for the campaign you previously mentioned. In a universe as expansive as Warhammer 40,000’s, it seems a bit surprising that we haven’t seen any new factions in the last 20 years.
Another aspect that could have benefited from enhancement is the army’s paint scheme in Dawn of War. Given the popularity of the army painter mechanic among players, it seemed like a great opportunity to further engage them by introducing additional badges, banners, and perhaps even customizable options. This would have been an excellent feature that could have been implemented without significant financial strain, as employing an artist to create decals wouldn’t likely overstretch Relic’s budget. Sadly, this opportunity was overlooked.
I’d like to conclude by expressing my concerns, as even though these issues are residual, I believe that the $30 asking price necessitates a certain level of quality, and some of these shortcomings don’t meet that standard. As for the technical side of the game, the only problem I encountered was once – yes, just once – when the lower right portion of my HUD vanished mysteriously. It’s possible I pressed a key by mistake, but I’m unsure. I restarted the single-player save and everything returned to normal.
On the Steam listing for this Definitive Edition game, it’s mentioned that the pathfinding was enhanced. However, based on my experience so far, it seems that units often get trapped behind buildings or they encounter paths they can’t cross, causing them to retrace their steps. Furthermore, I’ve noticed some issues with the ranged/assault command, as certain units appear to be stuck on assault, regardless of how many times I switch it back to ranged.
In a game, what truly frustrates me is the camera control system, and if I were able to make only one change, I would opt for WASD controls over arrow keys. As someone accustomed to using WASD for camera movement in all games, having to contort my keyboard to use the arrows and then switching sides of the keyboard to activate abilities feels incredibly awkward, leading me to avoid using those abilities altogether and instead controlling the camera with the arrow keys and manually selecting abilities with the mouse. A glance at Steam forums suggests that many players share my sentiment on this matter. Relic, please consider implementing WASD controls as it should not take long.
Final Score 7/10
The Definitive Edition of Dawn of War appears to offer enough content for both new and experienced players, but its $30 price tag seems somewhat high considering the amount of additional content provided compared to other Definitive Editions of similar titles. While the game remains impressive due to enhanced graphics, it is essentially the same game as 20 years ago. If you’re a fan of the original Dawn of War or Warhammer series, this updated version is definitely worth purchasing. However, for those who are new to the game and want more content, they may find the Definitive Edition lacking, especially if they don’t intend to pay full price. Those unfamiliar with Warhammer or Dawn of War might consider waiting for a sale before making a purchase.
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2025-08-17 15:47