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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II

Dawn of War II successfully introduces RPG elements to its single-player campaign and provides a polished, if familiar, online experience that focuses on brisk combat.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Game Cover
87%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
87% User Score Based on 7,626 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 4 reviews

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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Game Cover

About

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II is a single player and multiplayer real-time strategy game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Feral Interactive (Mac/Linux) and was released on February 18, 2009. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

In Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, players lead an Elite Strike Force in the 41st Millennium, combating rival races across a volatile Sub-Sector Aurelia.This fast-paced RTS focuses on both melee and ranged combat, allowing players to develop their squads into seasoned warriors throughout the brutal campaign. Experience the Warhammer 40,000 universe like never before in this immersive, intense battle for galactic survival.

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87%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,626 reviews
story497 positive mentions
grinding54 negative mentions
  • Engaging squad-based RTS gameplay that emphasizes tactical decision-making over resource management.
  • Rich narrative and character development that immerses players in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
  • The game has aged well, with decent graphics and sound design that enhance the overall experience.
  • Significant departure from traditional RTS mechanics, lacking base-building and large-scale army management.
  • Frequent AI pathfinding issues and unresponsive unit controls can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • The game may not run properly on modern systems, with many players experiencing crashes and requiring community fixes.
  • story
    1,720 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II" is generally well-received, praised for its engaging narrative and character-driven elements that immerse players in the Warhammer universe. While the campaign features a classic Warhammer storyline with tactical missions, some players note that it can feel repetitive due to similar mission structures and limited map variety. Despite these criticisms, the character development, voice acting, and RPG elements, such as squad customization and progression, contribute to a compelling experience for fans of the genre.

    • “The campaign is engaging, offering a well-crafted story that captures the grimdark tone of the 40k universe.”
    • “The story is character-driven, and if you play it for the story, you will love it.”
    • “The storyline is well-crafted, immersing players in a dark and atmospheric world filled with rich lore and diverse enemies.”
    • “Unfortunately, several unnecessary filler missions drag the pacing down and make the campaign feel longer than it should.”
    • “The campaign sucks - each faction plays the exact same missions, so if you played one, you've played them all.”
    • “The story is exactly what you’d expect from the Warhammer 40,000 universe - grim, dark, and filled with enough melodrama to make a soap opera look subtle.”
  • gameplay
    917 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Dawn of War II" represents a significant departure from its predecessor, shifting from traditional base-building mechanics to a more tactical, squad-based approach that emphasizes micromanagement and RPG elements. While some players appreciate the engaging combat and character progression, others express disappointment over the lack of large-scale battles and resource management, finding the gameplay repetitive and less strategic than the original. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of action and strategy, appealing to those who enjoy fast-paced, tactical gameplay, but may alienate fans of classic RTS mechanics.

    • “Gameplay-wise, it’s incredibly engaging and enjoyable — I literally looked forward to every new mission.”
    • “What makes this game particularly compelling is its shift away from traditional base-building mechanics toward a focus on squad-based tactics, cover systems, and deep unit customization, offering an experience that demands careful planning and adaptive strategy on the battlefield.”
    • “The core gameplay feels as tight and engaging as ever, blending squad-based tactics with RPG-style progression in a way that sets it apart from traditional base-building RTS titles.”
    • “The game simplified many mechanics that made the first Dawn of War so engaging, removed some key features, and overall lacks the depth and strategy of its predecessor.”
    • “The gameplay is a bit different from the first game in that you control a 'hero' type character tied to a specific unit of known space marine formations.”
    • “The gameplay is so horribly useless and because of the frustrating micromanaging I could not give two damns about the good graphics.”
  • graphics
    481 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II" have aged well, showcasing a blend of detailed environments and character models that still impress today, particularly for a game released in 2009. While some players note that the visuals can appear dated compared to modern titles, many appreciate the game's aesthetic, which effectively captures the grimdark atmosphere of the Warhammer 40k universe. Overall, the graphics are considered a strong point, contributing to an immersive gameplay experience despite some minor readability issues during intense battles.

    • “Graphically, the game benefits from polished textures, improved effects, and enhanced performance on modern systems, which brings the grim, gothic sci-fi world of Warhammer 40k to life with remarkable detail.”
    • “The graphics, while obviously from an older era, have aged impressively.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the gameplay is instinctive and easy to master, and the storyline is top-notch.”
    • “While the graphics, particularly the environment details like grass and terrain, are still decent, almost everything else falls short.”
    • “The graphics are a huge leap forward from the first and look better today than many games released just a year ago, but the gameplay and character development are still exceptional.”
    • “This game has not aged well as far as graphics, controls, and options are concerned.”
  • music
    103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its outstanding quality and ability to enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack is described as epic and fitting for the game's grim themes, featuring a blend of orchestral and ambient elements that elevate the intensity of battles. While some users noted minor issues with repetitiveness, the majority agree that the audio design, including voice acting and sound effects, complements the gameplay beautifully, making it one of the standout features of the title.

    • “That said, the game delivers legendary moments, and the soundtrack is pure gold.”
    • “The audio design further amplifies the experience, featuring intense weapon fire, evocative voice acting, and a dynamic soundtrack that heightens the sense of urgency and epic scale.”
    • “The music is phenomenal; in my opinion, it has the best soundtrack in the Dawn of War series.”
    • “The voice acting and music aren't exactly anything to write home about, so it's not all good.”
    • “They aren't bad, I just feel like there could have been something a little more grand than the usual humdrum background music.”
    • “The music is a little 'meh', but it works for its purpose.”
  • replayability
    94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers a mix of replayability through its multiplayer modes, co-op features, and customizable squad mechanics, allowing players to experiment with different strategies and builds. While the campaign provides a solid experience, some players feel it lacks the depth and variety found in previous titles, leading to mixed opinions on its overall replay value. Overall, many reviewers highlight the multiplayer and co-op elements as key factors that enhance replayability, despite some criticisms regarding the single-player campaign's linearity.

    • “Multiplayer modes add significant replayability, offering intense competitive battles and cooperative missions that challenge players to refine their strategies against both AI and human opponents.”
    • “The tried-and-tested class system means that you can tailor your experience to suit your own play style, while the selection of customizable battlefields provide endless replayability.”
    • “With its compelling campaign and the addition of multiple difficulty settings, Dawn of War II offers a fair amount of replayability.”
    • “The lack of scale and frankly poor skirmish mode (the bread and butter of Dawn of War 1's replayability) are big downgrades over its predecessor.”
    • “The single ending limits the replay value of the main campaign significantly (and is not true to what I imagine the tabletop version of Warhammer 40k is like).”
    • “This is okay for one playthrough, but replayability is nil.”
  • grinding
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players finding the combat and mission structure tedious and repetitive. Critics highlight the slow pace of battles, particularly against bosses with excessive health pools, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the strategic elements and progression system, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game often feels like a grind, especially on higher difficulties, leading to frustration rather than fun.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I came because I wanted strategy and skill, and what I got was tedium, pain, and suffering where barely anything I could do made a difference and half the game can't be completed without inordinate pain or grinding.”
    • “What is not fine is that every time I log in to give this game another shot, I'm reminded of just how repetitive and grindy the combat is.”
    • “The campaign is tedious and sleep-inducing.”
  • atmosphere
    43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive representation of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, featuring stunning visuals, a compelling soundtrack, and strong voice acting that enhances the grimdark narrative. Players appreciate the detailed environments, which range from war-torn landscapes to industrial settings, all contributing to a rich and engaging atmosphere that captures the essence of the franchise. Despite some criticisms of gameplay mechanics, the overall atmosphere remains a standout feature, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the lore and setting.

    • “The environments range from war-torn alien landscapes to industrial wastelands, each designed with atmospheric lighting and intricate design that immerse players in the brutal conflict.”
    • “The game’s environments are beautifully rendered, showcasing a variety of settings that reflect the grimdark atmosphere of the Warhammer universe.”
    • “The voice acting is top-notch, with each faction’s dialogue adding to the atmosphere of the grimdark universe.”
    • “The atmosphere is where it's at as this game seems to capture the essence of 40k.”
    • “Honestly, I f***ing hate the gameplay; it's total garbage. But the story and atmosphere are fine; it very much feels like a Warhammer 40k game.”
    • “I don't know what the atmosphere was supposed to be for this game, but it should have taken place on one planet and involved the same number of space marines. Instead, we got a rather hilariously abstract invasion scenario where you hop from planet to planet using ten space marines to fight off legions of enemies.”
  • stability
    43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received significant criticism, with many users reporting frequent freezes and crashes, particularly on newer systems. Players have experienced complete system lock-ups upon startup, requiring hard resets, and while some have found workarounds, the overall consensus is that the game is plagued by bugs and stability issues that hinder gameplay. Despite some positive experiences, the game's performance remains inconsistent, making it frustrating for many users.

    • “Playing on my normal Windows machine, it runs great with no problems.”
    • “No glitches or bugs.”
    • “3 hours later, no crash, no glitches, nothing.”
    • “From running compatibility changes in the properties and running as administrator to waiting 10 minutes to let the game run, to the small things like making sure everything was up to date, verifying game files, restarting, uninstalling, restarting and reinstalling, the game will not run on newer systems anymore. Even attempting to disable Steam input and overlay, the game no longer runs in any way; it's not even giving a crash report, it just freezes up and never actually launches.”
    • “The game won't start and freezes my PC every time I try to start it.”
    • “Loved this game but sadly will not even start up and freezes the whole computer.”
  • optimization
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many players praising its smooth performance and impressive graphics on modern systems, particularly in the anniversary edition, which enhances textures and effects. However, some users report significant performance issues, including unstable frame rates and crashes, especially on less powerful rigs. Overall, while many find it well-optimized and enjoyable, others express frustration over ongoing optimization problems that detract from the experience.

    • “The anniversary edition preserves the original design while refining performance and presentation.”
    • “Graphically, the game benefits from polished textures, improved effects, and enhanced performance on modern systems, which brings the grim, gothic sci-fi world of Warhammer 40k to life with remarkable detail.”
    • “With improved textures, lighting, and performance optimizations, the game looks stunning and runs smoothly on modern systems.”
    • “No optimization or new content.”
    • “The game's not optimized for modern systems.”
    • “For a game that's been out for over 6 years now, this game has a lot of optimization issues that I can't get past.”
  • humor
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding the interactions and dialogue, particularly from the Orks and Tyranids, to be genuinely funny. Many highlight amusing moments during gameplay, such as comical physics and unexpected scenarios, which contribute to an overall lighthearted atmosphere. Despite some critiques regarding the game's pricing and voice acting, the humor remains a standout feature that enhances the gaming experience.

    • “My most funny moment was when I played whack-a-mole with a Tyranid Ravener boss by having him get expeditiously violated by 4 Thunder Hammers (Force Commander and Terminator Assault Squad), the boss fight didn't even last a couple of seconds.”
    • “Brilliant game, it's a little different from the previous Dawn of Wars but still a great game, plus the Ork voices are hilarious.”
    • “The physics of collapsing buildings and ragdolls can bug occasionally, but only ever in funny ways, like when you shoot an Orc, only to have its body spiral across the screen and up into the sky.”
  • character development
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and emotional weight, particularly in "Chaos Rising," where it enhances the overall narrative experience. While some reviews note that character progression may compensate for subpar development, many highlight the successful integration of RPG elements and loot systems that enrich gameplay. Overall, the focus on character development over traditional resource management and base building is seen as a refreshing and engaging aspect of the game.

    • “The character development, especially in Chaos Rising, added emotional weight rare in RTS games.”
    • “Very deep story, exciting new mechanics, great character development, and a wonderful loot/upgrade system.”
    • “Character development is subpar, but the character progression covers for that in my opinion.”
    • “The campaign is structured around a series of missions that blend tactical objectives with character development.”
    • “One of the cool things this game does is take the focus away from resource gathering and obnoxious base building, and replace it with character development with RPG elements and loot.”
  • emotional
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews highlight that while some RTS games, like "Chaos Rising," successfully incorporate deep character development and emotional weight, others struggle with lackluster storytelling and minimal emotional engagement. Players appreciate the ability to personalize their troops, fostering a sense of attachment, but criticize repetitive gameplay and uninspired cutscenes that detract from the emotional experience. Overall, the emotional depth varies significantly across titles, with some offering moving narratives and others failing to resonate.

    • “The character development, especially in Chaos Rising, added emotional weight that is rare in RTS games.”
    • “The story was moving, deep, and touching.”
    • “Furthermore, Dawn of War 1 actually attempted to characterize the protagonist through its cutscenes (including a last-minute plot twist that I found truly touching!), and this is where Dawn of War 2 falls down a bit.”
    • “The story is dull and lacks emotional depth, with uninspired voice acting and repetitive gameplay that fails to engage.”
    • “Cutscenes are uninteresting and do not evoke any feelings, making the overall experience feel flat and unmemorable.”
    • “The gameplay is monotonous, and the emotional impact is nearly nonexistent, leaving players feeling disconnected from the narrative.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization of the game has been widely criticized as a cash grab, with users expressing frustration over the high price for minimal updates and the introduction of additional paid content that feels exploitative. Many reviewers recommend avoiding the game due to its perceived lack of value and outdated offerings.

    • “I can't recommend this cash grab version of the game that you have to spend an absurd amount of time trying to fix for modern resolutions.”
    • “Hard avoid this cash grab.”
    • “50 USD for a game that's barely been updated, except for more cash grabs (looking at you Necron Overlord for 8 USD, which was the only addition to the game in the past several years for the last stand).”
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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 5 critic reviews
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9h Median play time
38h Average play time
15h Main story
48h Completionist
5-70h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II is a real-time strategy game with science fiction theme.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

The main story can be completed in around 15 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 48 hours to finish. On average players spend around 38 hours playing Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II was released on February 18, 2009.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II was developed by Feral Interactive (Mac/Linux).

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Retribution, Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® II Chaos Rising, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 3, Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2 and others.