Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III

Last updated: 2025-08-10

Listen

0:00 / 0:00
Summary
  • Enjoyable gameplay and strong visuals
  • Successful blend of DoW mechanics
  • Engaging and epic campaign
  • Major step back from predecessors
  • Overpriced and poor value
  • Buggy and unstable experience
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III header

Categories

Real-time StrategyBase BuildingCompetitive MultiplayerSingle-player StoryUnit ManagementCharacter Customization

Emotions

Disappointment32%Frustration21%Satisfaction19%Excitement3%Anger3%
Reviews
(sample size)
1075
Helpful reviews
65%
Unhelpful reviews
32%
Protest reviews
3%
Positive points
1250
Negative points
2694
Gameplay points
281
Perf. points
33
Rec. points
437
Misc points
193
Point
Enjoyable Gameplay & Strong Visuals
Description
Players consistently found the game enjoyable, fun, and engaging, highlighting its addictive qualities and overall positive gameplay experience. Many also praised the game's visual appeal, including graphics, animations, and art style, noting its polished and vibrant presentation.
Importance
67%
Successful Blend of DoW Mechanics
Description
The game successfully blends elements from previous Dawn of War titles, offering a mix of base building from DoW 1 and hero-focused tactics from DoW 2. It's seen as a solid modern RTS that appeals to both series veterans and newcomers, often compared favorably to other RTS games like StarCraft and Warcraft.
Importance
27%
Engaging & Epic Campaign
Description
The single-player campaign is a significant strength, praised for its engaging story, varied objectives, and epic large-scale battles. Players found the missions entertaining and well-paced, providing a compelling narrative experience.
Importance
15%
Authentic Warhammer 40K Experience
Description
The game excels at capturing the essence of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Players appreciated the faithful adherence to lore, distinct faction aesthetics, and the overall grimdark atmosphere, enhanced by strong sound design and voice acting.
Importance
14%
Detailed & Impactful Units
Description
Unit design, detail, and animations received high praise, particularly for elite units and their spectacular abilities. The game's focus on active unit use and the visual impact of large-scale battles were also highlighted as positive aspects.
Importance
12%
Ork Faction is a Highlight
Description
The Ork faction, in particular, stood out for its entertaining voice acting, unique 'Scrap Mechanic' gameplay, and overall adherence to the chaotic and humorous Ork lore. Players found playing as Orks to be a highlight.
Importance
11%
Distinct & Well-Designed Factions
Description
The three playable factions are distinct and well-realized, offering varied playstyles and enhancing replayability. The campaign effectively introduces each faction, and their interwoven stories contribute to a rich narrative.
Importance
10%
Excellent Audio & Voice Acting
Description
The game's audio elements, including music, sound effects, and voice acting, are consistently praised. The soundtrack is described as epic, and the voice acting for characters and armies is considered superb, contributing to an immersive experience.
Importance
8%
Strong Modding Community Support
Description
The game benefits significantly from robust mod support via the Steam Workshop. Mods are easy to install and can greatly enhance the game's balance, add new features, and provide additional content, improving the overall experience.
Importance
6%
Challenging High Difficulty AI
Description
On higher difficulties, the game provides a significant and enjoyable challenge, requiring strategic and tactical planning. The AI is noted for its logical strategies, making for a rewarding experience for RTS enthusiasts.
Importance
5%
Strategic Elite Unit Design
Description
Elite units are well-designed, offering unique abilities and strategic depth without being overpowered. Their ability to gain experience and be customized adds to the tactical flexibility of gameplay.
Importance
4%
Unique RTS/Hero Blend
Description
The game's ambitious blend of large-scale RTS battles with hero-focused tactics creates a unique and strategically varied gameplay experience, often compared to simplified versions of Warcraft 3 or StarCraft 2.
Importance
3%
Simplified Base Building Return
Description
The return of classic base building, simplified for ease of use, was a welcome feature for many players. It offers more base building options compared to Dawn of War 2.
Importance
3%
Active Multiplayer Community
Description
Despite initial concerns, the online multiplayer component is active and engaging, providing various ways to play with friends or bots, which contributes to the game's longevity.
Importance
3%
Dynamic Gameplay & Post-Launch Improvements
Description
The game offers dynamic and fast-paced gameplay, with larger army sizes than Dawn of War 2. Post-release updates and patches have improved the game's balance and overall state.
Importance
2%