Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Expansion Pack
Release Date: October 9, 2006
Strategy, science fiction, RTS, Warhammer 40,000, Games Workshop, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet, LAN
Steam
A stand-alone expansion for the strategy game Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War developed by Relic Entertainment. The basic novelty introduced in Dark Crusade expansion are the two new factions. The first one are the humanoid robots known as Necron. They are a faction of undead killing machines. The second new faction is the Tau Empire. They are technologically advanced and have remarkable skills in diplomacy.
Videos and Screens
[1:05] Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade #1
The main pros of the game
- Nostalgia and Longevity: Many users express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting that it remains enjoyable even after many years.
- Variety of Factions: The game features seven distinct factions, each with unique playstyles, contributing to high replayability.
- Atmosphere and Fidelity to Warhammer 40K: Users appreciate the game's immersive atmosphere and attention to detail, capturing the essence of the Warhammer universe.
- Engaging Campaign Mechanics: The planetary conquest campaign is praised for its complexity and strategic depth, making progression rewarding.
- Solid Gameplay Mechanics: Many reviews note that the game is well-balanced and offers a fun RTS experience, with some considering it the best in the Dawn of War series.
The main cons of the game
- Lack of a Strong Narrative: Several users mention that the campaign lacks a cohesive storyline, making it feel less engaging than other games in the series.
- Balancing Issues: Some players feel that certain factions, particularly the Necrons, are overpowered, leading to frustration in competitive play.
- AI Limitations: There are complaints about the AI being unbalanced and requiring players to adopt a base-rush strategy to succeed, which can be tedious.
- Technical Issues: A few users have pointed out bugs and stability problems, although these seem to be less prevalent than in other expansions.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Desire for Base Building: Users expressed a wish for more extensive base-building mechanics akin to other RTS games like Age of Empires, indicating that they would enjoy a more robust construction system.
- Standalone Story Campaign: Many players feel that a dedicated narrative campaign would enhance the experience, as the current campaign is viewed more as a series of battles without a strong storyline.
- Improved Graphics: Some reviews suggest that a graphical update or a remaster could significantly enhance the game's appeal to new players.
- Enhanced Multiplayer Features: A few users mentioned the lack of a thriving multiplayer community, indicating a desire for more players to engage with online features.
Summary
- Overall, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade is celebrated for its strategic depth and nostalgic value, but it also faces criticism regarding its narrative and balancing, with calls for modern updates and improvements.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 2101 votes. 17 players anticipated the game.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade Description
Warhammer 40 000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade for PC is the second (after the Winter Assault) expansion for the popular strategy game developed by Relic Entertainment, the creators of the cult game Homeworld. The basic novelty introduced in the Dark Crusade is two new races – Necroni and Tau.
Plot
The first new nation consists of humanoid robots that for 60 millions of years rested in the underground cemeteries of planet Kronus. Now they have awakened and decided to defeat the intruders that appeared on their home planet. Necroni are true killing machines. They murder everything on their path with no emotions while being indestructible since their metal armor is able to automatically regenerate. A direct confrontation with them is one of the greatest challenges in Dark Crusade.
Tau race is completely different from Necroni. Their appearing on Kronus is caused by ideology. As the youngest side of the conflict Tau surprises with very advanced technology which gives them an edge in ranged combat. Tau units are specialists in diplomacy and are able to convince other races to fight on their side. This makes them one of the greatest military forces in the whole galaxy.
Gameplay
In addition to the above mentioned factions, there are also old friends available in Dark Crusade – Space Marines, Eldars, Chaos forces, Orcs, Imperial Guard. Each of them is interested in the desert planet and wants to eliminate the opponents. The developers decided not to implement a lineal storyline and force the players to complete series of missions. Instead, one can immediately jump to conquering the whole available area. Of course, there are turning points in the campaign which can be observed from seven different perspectives depending on the nation selected. Completing the singleplayer mode takes a few dozen hours.
During that time player focuses on defending his territory and attacking the neighbors. Taking over enemy stronghold equals eliminating him from the game. The gameplay can be divided into phase when one improves his base and produce units and time when one focuses only on battle. Economic aspect is controlled in turn-based system and during the battle Warhammer is played like a typical RTS.
The last novelty introduced in the expansion is character development system. From now on the heroes who led the armies can be enriched with better weapons and abilities bought for special points accumulated during the game.
Last updated on May 17, 2016
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
Developer: Relic Entertainment
Publisher: THQ Inc.
Age restrictions: 16+
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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Pentium 4 2.4 GHz, 512 MB RAM, graphic card 64 MB (GeForce 3 Ti200 or better), 2.5 GB HDD, Windows 98 SE/Me/2000/XP
Base Gamefor Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade