The second expansion to Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War
includes all-new, explosive Dawn of War single-player action play, new
multiplayer content, and two new playable races including the
technologically devastating Tau. In addition to the two new playable
races, Dark Crusade will feature an all-new single player campaign
centering on the conquest of a "meta-map," with each territory captured
giving tangible rewards to the occupying force. Also featured is a
greatly expanded multiplayer component and a completely unique economy
model for the Necrons. Warhammer 40K: Dark Crusade is also a
stand-alone expansion -- it adds bonus content to Dawn of War and
Winter Assault, but it can also be played on its own without needing a
copy of the original game.
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.
The Good: Features two great new playable
factions that fit in well with the five others; exciting new strategic
campaign offers plenty of lasting value and variety; excellent
presentation quality makes for some most brutal battles; the original
game isn't required to play and enjoy this expansion.
The Bad: A distinct lack of Tyranids.
Hot
on the heels of its outstanding new real-time strategy game Company of
Heroes, experienced developer Relic is back with the second expansion
to its excellent 2004 game Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, and it's a
great update. Dark Crusade introduces two interesting and powerful new
factions to Dawn of War, raising the total number of different playable
armies to a whopping seven. It also features a new strategic campaign
structure that lets you direct any of these seven sides in a massive
war for planetary supremacy, with shades of the classic board game
Risk. Some new units for the returning factions and plenty of new
skirmish maps are also included, and you don't even need to own Dawn of
War or its first expansion pack to enjoy most of this (you only need
the previous games to unlock the older factions specifically for use in
multiplayer matches; you have access to every race when playing solo).
What with all that it has to offer, Dark Crusade comes across as much
more than your typical real-time strategy expansion pack. It's one of
the best RTS games around strictly on its own merits.
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