Info about Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Anniversary Edition:

Official game description:
Reviews
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About the Game
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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Anniversary Edition is the definitive Dawn of War II experience, featuring the original Dawn of War II, Dawn of War II - Chaos Rising, Dawn of War II - Retribution, Dawn of War II - The Last Stand, as well as all DLCs and cosmetic items.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
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With a focus on fast-action RTS gameplay, Dawn of War II brings to life the science fiction universe of Warhammer 40,000 like never before. Experience the intimate brutality of battle as you play through your chosen race’s epic campaign. Clash with the enemies on battlefield ablaze with visceral melee and ranged combat. Lead and develop your squads from raw recruits into the most battle hardened veterans in the galaxy.
**Brutal Frontline Action & Tactics**
Get straight into the action to experience intense melee and devastating ranged combat. Use vicious melee sync-kills to obliterate your enemies. Outsmart your opponents using dynamic and destructible environments to suppress, flank and destroy your foes.
**Non-Linear Single Player Campaign**
Command an elite strike force, developing the skills and abilities of your squads and commander as you progress through the game.
**Co-Op Multiplayer**
Play through the entire single player campaign co-operatively with a friend, at any point in the game, anytime.
**Bespoke RTS Engine**
Utilizing Relic's proprietary Essence Engine 2.0 Dawn of War II delivers cinematic visuals, detailed graphics and amazing special effects.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Chaos Rising
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In Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising you will take command of the Blood Ravens and defend the sector against the Chaos Space Marines of the Black Legion. Purge the Chaos filth and hold the chapter together as traitorous forces work from within to try bring down the Blood Ravens.
**New Single Player Missions**
Continue your fight against the enemies of the Emperor and use your squads’ wargear, abilities, and experience to battle against Chaos in 15 new missions
**New Multiplayer Race**
Swear loyalty to the Chaos Gods and play as the bloodthirsty Chaos Space Marines in multiplayer battles against both Chaos Rising and Dawn of War II owners
**New Units**
New multiplayer units join the Space Marines, Ork, Eldar, and Tyranid armies.
2 New Last Stand Heroes – Face off against the relentless horde as either the Chaos Sorcerer or Tyranid Hive Tyrant
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution
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Command any of the six unique factions in the next standalone expansion of the critically acclaimed Dawn of War real-time strategy franchise. Choose to build a massive army or lead a small squad of elite heroes into battle and experience a single player campaign customized to your favorite race.
**Multi-Race Campaign**
For the first time in the Dawn of War II series, players will be able to experience a single player campaign with any of the six available races.
**Build your Army**
Upgrade your heroes and unlock new buildable units as you progress through the single player campaign.
**6 Playable Races**
Choose from six multiplayer races, each with their own unique super heavy units.

Release date: 18 Feb, 2009

Categories: Real-time Strategy, Tactical Combat, RPG, Single-player Story, Cooperative Multiplayer, Character Customization, Squad Management, Resource Management


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Authentic Warhammer 40K Experience (weight 0.71): Players consistently praise the game for its exceptional portrayal of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, highlighting its faithfulness to the lore, atmospheric depth, and overall immersive experience. Many consider it one of the best Warhammer 40K games and a strong entry point for new fans.
- Timeless Quality & Longevity (weight 0.64): Despite its age, the game is frequently lauded for its enduring quality, with many players noting that it has aged remarkably well in terms of graphics, gameplay, and overall enjoyment. It's often described as a timeless classic that remains highly playable and fun years after its release.
- Engaging Campaigns & Co-op (weight 0.44): The single-player and cooperative campaigns are highly praised for their engaging narratives, compelling characters, and excellent voice acting. The co-op option significantly enhances replayability and overall enjoyment, making the story mode a standout feature.
- High Replayability & Last Stand (weight 0.23): The game offers substantial replayability, particularly through its compelling campaigns and the popular 'Last Stand' co-op horde mode. Many players return to the game repeatedly, citing its addictive nature and the hours of content it provides.
- Impressive Visuals & Audio (weight 0.22): The game's visuals and audio are consistently praised for their quality, especially considering its release year. Players highlight the impressive graphics, detailed unit models, atmospheric effects, and strong voice acting that contribute to an immersive experience.
- Chaos Rising Expansion Excellence (weight 0.11): The Chaos Rising expansion is frequently singled out as a superior addition to the base game, offering an even more engaging story, new mechanics like corruption, and further expanding the game's content and replay value.

Common complaints:
- Major gameplay shift from RTS (weight 0.69): A significant number of players, especially fans of the first game, were disappointed by the drastic shift in gameplay mechanics. The removal of traditional RTS elements like base building and large-scale army management, in favor of a squad-based tactical RPG style, was a major point of contention.
- Poor AI and pathfinding (weight 0.39): Players frequently reported issues with the game's AI, particularly poor pathfinding for units, which often led to frustration and mission failures. This, combined with a clunky UI and controls, negatively impacted the gameplay experience.
- Repetitive and boring gameplay (weight 0.38): Many players found the game to be boring, repetitive, and tedious, especially towards the end. This sentiment is often linked to the game's high price point, leading to a perception of poor value.
- Unbalanced difficulty/bosses (weight 0.37): The game's difficulty scaling, especially on higher settings, is criticized for relying on making enemies and bosses into 'bullet sponges' with excessively high health and damage. This leads to tedious and frustrating combat encounters rather than strategic challenges.
- Game fails to launch/run (weight 0.37): A critical issue for many players is the game's inability to launch or run properly on modern systems, particularly Windows 10/11 and high core count CPUs. This is exacerbated by frequent crashes, freezes, and a lack of official support or updates for compatibility.
- Missing Retribution content (weight 0.09): Many players reported that the 'Anniversary Edition' or other game packages falsely claim to include the 'Retribution' expansion, which is often missing or requires separate launching. This discrepancy led to significant disappointment and a feeling of being misled.
- Dead multiplayer/Last Stand (weight 0.08): The multiplayer and 'Last Stand' game modes are largely inactive, making it nearly impossible for players to find matches or other players. This severely limits the replayability and overall value for those interested in online play.
- Outdated UI scaling issues (weight 0.04): The user interface is often described as outdated, unintuitive, and poorly scaled, especially on modern high-resolution displays. This makes text and UI elements tiny and difficult to read, hindering usability.
- Cutscene technical issues (weight 0.04): Several players experienced issues with cutscenes, including blurriness, stuttering, and crashes. The inability to skip cutscenes further exacerbates these problems, disrupting the flow of the game.
- Limited squad cap per mission (weight 0.04): The game's strict limitation to a small number of squads (typically 4) per mission, with severe penalties for losing them, was a point of frustration for some players. This design choice significantly impacts tactical options and overall gameplay feel.

Gameplay feedback:
- Squad-based tactical combat (weight 0.65): The game significantly departs from traditional RTS mechanics, focusing on small-scale, tactical squad combat rather than base building, resource management, or large armies. It emphasizes micro-management of a few elite units, similar to games like Company of Heroes or XCOM.
- Robust RPG progression (weight 0.14): The game incorporates strong RPG elements, allowing players to level up their squads and heroes, customize their gear (weapons, armor, abilities) through loot drops and skill trees, and tailor their playstyle for different missions.
- Diverse Warhammer 40K factions (weight 0.14): Set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, the game features four main playable factions: Space Marines, Orks, Eldar, and Tyranids. Each faction has unique commanders and abilities, with the single-player campaign primarily focusing on the Space Marines.
- Engaging co-op campaign (weight 0.1): The game offers an engaging single-player campaign, primarily played as the Blood Ravens Space Marine chapter. It features a linear plot with some choices, light RPG elements, and co-op playability, providing a decent playtime.
- Challenging difficulty curve (weight 0.06): The game offers varying difficulty levels, being easy to learn but challenging to master. Its complex mechanics and demanding gameplay contribute to its replayability, especially on higher settings.
- High micro-management (weight 0.06): The game requires significant micro-management of units and abilities, especially on higher difficulties, demanding constant use of hotkeys. While characters have some independence, player input is crucial for optimal performance.
- Unique faction abilities (weight 0.05): Each playable race and their respective commanders possess unique abilities and designs, significantly impacting gameplay and strategic choices. This variety allows for diverse playstyles and tactical approaches.
- Tactical cover system (weight 0.04): Combat heavily utilizes a dynamic cover system, where units can take cover behind environmental objects. This cover can be destroyed, and units can be flanked, adding a tactical layer to engagements.
- Structured mission design (weight 0.04): Missions are structured with clear objectives, often culminating in a boss fight. They vary between attack and defense scenarios, with optional missions available for leveling and gear acquisition.
- Simplified resource collection (weight 0.03): Resource collection is simplified, relying on capturing strategic points or finding resource crates on the map, rather than traditional base-building and harvesting. There is also a random element to resource drops.
- Blood Ravens campaign focus (weight 0.03): The single-player campaign primarily focuses on the Blood Ravens Space Marine chapter, with the player controlling a Force Commander from this chapter. The game also delves into the lore and unknown parentage of the Blood Ravens.

Performance notes:
- Acceptable graphics quality (weight 0.03): Players generally find the graphics to be good or at least acceptable. This indicates that the visual quality of the game is not a major point of contention.
- Good performance on some systems (weight 0.03): Some players report that the game runs well on modern hardware and Windows 10, and that it has low PC requirements. It also works flawlessly on specific Linux distributions with certain drivers, suggesting that performance can be good under optimal conditions.
- Complex hotkey customization (weight 0.03): Players need to manually edit the `_keydefaults` file, located in a specific directory, to customize hotkeys. This process involves opening the file with Notepad, translating it, and removing a prefix after editing, which is a cumbersome workaround.
- Unresponsive key workaround (weight 0.01): A specific workaround is required to fix unresponsive keys: players must switch their language settings to a US keyboard layout. This indicates a regional input issue.
- RelicLink account required (weight 0.01): Players are required to register a RelicLink Account to access multiplayer features and achievements. This adds an extra step for players wanting to engage with these aspects of the game.
- No ultrawide menu support (weight 0.01): The game lacks support for ultrawide resolutions within its menus, which can lead to a less optimized visual experience for players with ultrawide monitors.
- Antivirus blocking issues (weight 0.01): Some players experienced issues with antivirus software, specifically Kaspersky, blocking the game. Adding the game to the antivirus exceptions list resolved this problem.
- Easy to use controls (weight 0.01): Players find the game's controls to be easy to use, suggesting an intuitive control scheme that is accessible to new players.
- Game restarts after stages (weight 0.01): The game restarts after the completion of each stage, which can interrupt the flow of gameplay and potentially be frustrating for players.
- Steam Deck peripheral adapter needed (weight 0.01): To play the game on a Steam Deck with a mouse and keyboard, an adapter is required. This indicates a lack of native plug-and-play support for these peripherals on the Steam Deck.

Recommendations:
- Highly Recommended for Fans (weight 0.47): Many players highly recommend the game, especially for fans of the Warhammer 40K universe and RTS games, particularly those who enjoy the Company of Heroes style. It's often suggested as a must-play for these audiences.
- Buy Only On Sale (weight 0.42): A significant number of reviews suggest purchasing the game only when it's on sale, or at a heavily discounted price. Some advise against paying full price, indicating that its value is primarily found in sales.
- Divisive Sequel Experience (weight 0.11): There's a clear division among players regarding Dawn of War II's place in the franchise. Many fans of the original Dawn of War advise against it, while others praise it as a unique and worthwhile entry, especially for its focus on smaller unit control.
- Retribution Recommended for Multiplayer (weight 0.03): For multiplayer or a more complete experience, players are often advised to get the Retribution expansion instead of or in addition to the base game. The Anniversary Edition is noted to be similar to the original DoW 2 collection.
- Inconsistent Review Scores (weight 0.03): Review scores are highly inconsistent, ranging from 3/10 to 10/10, indicating a very subjective reception. Some negative reviews are specifically aimed at lowering the overall rating, suggesting a potential review-bombing element.
- Difficulty and Campaign Playthrough (weight 0.03): Players offer varied advice on difficulty, with some recommending 'Very Hard' for campaigns and others suggesting lower difficulties for story enjoyment. It's also noted that playing through the campaign once is sufficient for the experience.
- Bundle with Chaos Rising (weight 0.01): It is suggested to play the game instead of Chaos Rising, or to acquire it in a bundle that includes Chaos Rising for the campaigns, implying that the base game's campaign is a significant draw.
- Explore Community Mods (weight 0.01): Players recommend checking out community-made modifications, specifically the 'Codex mod' or 'unofficial codex edition,' to enhance the game experience.

Other player notes:
- Preference for original Dawn of War (weight 0.15): Many players express a strong preference for the original Dawn of War game, viewing this title as a significant departure. There's a recurring desire for future installments or remakes to return to the roots of the first game or to be more faithful to the series' legacy.
- Language and input method issues (weight 0.08): Several users reported issues with language settings, particularly Traditional Chinese and other input methods, causing game crashes, unresponsiveness, or UI problems. Solutions often involve changing language settings or disabling specific input methods.
- Value and bundled content (weight 0.04): Players often acquired the game or its Anniversary Edition through sales or as free upgrades for previous owners. The pricing and bundled content, like Chaos Rising, are noted as positive aspects.
- Inaccurate playtime tracking (weight 0.03): Some players noted discrepancies in Steam's playtime tracking or achievement statistics, suggesting potential issues with how the platform records game activity. This can be due to account issues or technical glitches.
- Negative view of Dawn of War 3 (weight 0.02): There's a strong negative sentiment towards Dawn of War 3, with many players considering it the end of the series. Some even refunded it, indicating a significant disappointment with that particular installment.
- Limited IP recognition at launch (weight 0.02): Some reviewers felt the game's IP wasn't widely known at its release, potentially impacting its initial reception. The story is also described as non-existent by one reviewer.
- Tedious Chaos Rising mission (weight 0.02): One specific mission in the Chaos Rising add-on is singled out as being particularly tedious and mediocre, detracting from the overall experience of the expansion.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.32): Players expressed satisfaction due to the game's overall high quality, engaging tactical gameplay, and compelling story, often highlighting its adherence to Warhammer 40K lore. The game's replayability, co-op experience, and effective blend of RTS and RPG elements also contributed significantly to positive player experiences.
- Disappointment (weight 0.16): Disappointment stemmed primarily from the game's significant departure from the original Dawn of War formula, particularly the removal of base-building mechanics. Players also expressed frustration with technical issues, missing content in bundled editions, and the perceived decline in quality compared to its predecessor, especially regarding Dawn of War 3.
- Frustration (weight 0.15): Frustration was largely caused by persistent technical issues such as game crashes, freezing, and inability to launch, especially on modern hardware, often without official support. Players also cited repetitive missions, poor AI behavior, and unintuitive UI/controls as sources of frustration, alongside the significant gameplay changes from previous titles.
- Excitement (weight 0.08): Excitement was driven by the game's epic battles, intense action, and strong adherence to the Warhammer 40K universe. Players were thrilled by the engaging campaign, innovative RTS approach, and the overall high quality of the gameplay experience, often leading to a desire for similar future content.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciated the game's enduring quality, its unique blend of RTS and RPG mechanics, and its faithful adaptation of the Warhammer 40K lore. Specific elements like the voice acting, detailed units, and the 'Last Stand' mode were frequently highlighted as points of appreciation, along with the modding community's contributions.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.03): Enjoyment was consistently reported due to the game's fun and engaging tactical combat, particularly in co-op mode. Players found the campaign enjoyable, appreciated the customization options, and found satisfaction in the game's world-building and strategic elements.
- Joy (weight 0.03): Joy was expressed through the sheer fun of playing the game, especially its engaging combat, character interactions, and immersive Warhammer 40K atmosphere. The successful replaying of campaigns, particularly Chaos Rising, and the overall high quality of the game contributed to this positive emotion.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Admiration was directed at the game's exceptional quality, innovative design, and its status as a classic within the RTS genre and Warhammer franchise. Players often considered it a masterpiece, praising its lasting appeal, iconic status, and the high quality of its soundtrack and cinematic scenes.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): Nostalgia arose from players revisiting the game after many years, connecting it to childhood memories and past enjoyment. The game's enduring appeal and its status as a classic RTS title, reminiscent of older games like Starcraft or Warcraft, frequently evoked feelings of nostalgia.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger was primarily caused by severe technical issues, particularly the Anniversary Edition not working or breaking existing installations, leading to unplayable experiences. Players also expressed anger over perceived false advertising, missing content, and a lack of developer support or fixes for these critical issues.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion often arose from unexpected changes in gameplay mechanics compared to previous titles, leading to initial unfamiliarity with the game's genre blend. Players also expressed confusion regarding missing content or DLC in specific game editions, despite being advertised or mentioned in reviews.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief was felt when players successfully found workarounds or solutions to persistent technical issues that prevented them from playing the game. This emotion was tied to overcoming frustrating obstacles and finally being able to enjoy the game as intended.
- Helpfulness (weight 0.01): Helpfulness was demonstrated by players actively providing solutions and workarounds for common technical issues, such as launch problems or language settings. This indicated a desire to assist the community and ensure others could enjoy the game despite its flaws.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise occurred when the game exceeded players' expectations, particularly regarding its genre deviation from previous titles. Players were pleasantly surprised by the game's quality, how well it held up over time, and the enjoyment derived from its unique RTS/RPG hybrid gameplay.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement was driven by the game's captivating story, compelling campaign, and tactical combat system, which often led players to lose track of time. The character development and varied level design also contributed to a deeply immersive experience.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope was expressed as a desire for future Warhammer games, particularly a Dawn of War 4, that would emulate the successful style and quality of this game. Players also hoped for modern graphics and potential remasters of the series.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm was evident through strong positive recommendations and a general excitement for the game, especially among fans of the RTS and Warhammer genres. The game's enduring quality and tactical gameplay were key drivers of this emotion.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom was reported due to repetitive gameplay, monotonous missions, and a perceived lack of challenge, leading players to struggle with enjoying the game. The grind and repetition in the campaign were often cited as causes.
- Acceptance (weight 0): Acceptance stemmed from players acknowledging and coming to terms with the game's significant changes from its predecessor, particularly the shift to an action-RPG style and the removal of base-building. This indicated a willingness to appreciate the game for what it is, rather than what it isn't.
- Amusement (weight 0): Amusement was derived from humorous observations about Space Marines, witty lore details, and the overall comedic tone found within the game's story and gameplay descriptions. This often involved lighthearted jokes and cultural references related to the Warhammer universe.}