Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® II Chaos Rising

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In Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Chaos Rising, defend Sub-Sector Aurelia against the Chaos Space Marines of the Black Legion, while also dealing with traitorous forces within the Blood Ravens. Experience 15 new single-player missions and a new multiplayer race, the bloodthirsty Chaos Space Marines. New units and wargear are also available to aid you in your battles against Chaos.

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Strategy

Play Modes

Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® II Chaos Rising screenshot

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 909 reviews

story81 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

A masterpiece of a DLC that expands on the original game, improving narrative and gameplay mechanics.
The new corruption mechanic adds depth and moral choices that impact the story and gameplay.
Great lore and engaging characters make the campaign enjoyable for both RTS and Warhammer fans.

Graphics glitches and bugs can detract from the overall experience.
The campaign is relatively short, leaving players wanting more content.
The AI can be frustrating, with units sometimes failing to respond to commands or getting stuck.

story
281 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
67%
4%
The story in "Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising" is generally praised for its engaging narrative and character development, building on the foundation laid by the original game. Players appreciate the introduction of a corruption mechanic that influences the storyline and mission outcomes, adding depth and replayability. However, some critiques highlight the campaign's linearity and predictability, with a desire for more diverse missions and a longer campaign experience. Overall, the expansion is seen as a solid continuation of the series, with a compelling plot that resonates well with fans of the Warhammer 40k universe.
- “The story is a solid continuation of the original, involving new characters and exploring the 40k universe in more depth.”
- “The story is more engaging, the missions are less monotone and the campaign has a higher level of replayability due to the decisions you can make.”
- “Love the twist this story takes, also the divergent storylines depending on your choices.”
- “The story is bland and not engaging compared to Dawn of War II.”
- “Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising is a decent game, but the campaign is only about 6 hours long for $28, which feels like a complete rip-off. The story is predictable with almost no twists, and there are no new features compared to the original game, aside from a corruption and purity system that forces players into a specific playstyle to avoid a bad ending.”
- “The campaign is shorter and more directed than in Dawn of War II, with fewer missions overall.”
gameplay
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
67%
4%
The gameplay in "Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising" is a blend of tactical squad-based mechanics and RPG elements, building upon the foundation of the original game while introducing a corruption mechanic that influences character development and mission outcomes. While many players appreciate the engaging narrative and the addition of new abilities and units, some criticize the linearity and predictability of the campaign, as well as the forced gameplay styles dictated by the corruption system. Overall, the gameplay is described as enjoyable and accessible, particularly for fans of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more traditional RTS experience.
- “It works as a standalone, it expands all mechanics from the previous game, improves the narrative, gives you moral choices, as the way you will complete objectives will have an impact, adding more complexity to the game with the new corruption mechanic.”
- “The corruption dynamic is fun and really spices up the gameplay.”
- “This is a must-play for Warhammer 40,000 fans, and the gameplay is very player-friendly, allowing newcomers to RTS games to learn the ropes quickly.”
- “The redemption/corruption mechanics make the game not fun as you must focus on one style of gameplay if you want one or the other.”
- “Dawn of War 2: Chaos Rising is a decent game, but 6 hours of campaign gameplay for $28 is a complete rip-off. The story is predictable with almost no twists, and there are no new features compared to the original Dawn of War 2, aside from a corruption and purity system that forces players into a specific playstyle to avoid bad endings. The campaign is linear and lacks the depth of previous expansions, making it hardly worth the purchase.”
- “The gameplay is just so utterly boring.”
graphics
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
74%
18%
9%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their quality and detail, with many reviewers noting that they still hold up well even in 2024. While some users experienced minor glitches, the overall visual presentation, including stunning artwork and effects, contributes significantly to the immersive experience. The game's graphics, combined with excellent sound design, enhance the gameplay and storytelling, making it a standout in the RTS genre.
- “Even the graphics and animations look absolutely stunning at ultra settings and support UHD and ultra-wide UHD.”
- “The graphics are top notch and give you a great feeling of the Warhammer 40k world.”
- “The visuals are exceptional and stand up very well compared even with new releases.”
- “Graphically and sound-wise, nothing has really changed either; the game still maintains a high quality in both, albeit some of that might come from my infatuation with the general art and sound style of the WH40K universe.”
- “The only thing that the game should be credited for is the graphics and big engagements.”
- “Overhauling the graphics engine, the visuals in this game have never looked better.”
replayability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
Overall, the game offers significant replayability due to its engaging story, RPG elements, and squad customization options, which encourage players to revisit it. While some reviews note the campaign's short length and linear structure as drawbacks, the presence of multiple endings and multiplayer modes enhances its replay value. Despite mixed opinions on replayability, many players find it rewarding enough to justify multiple playthroughs.
- “The only regrettable part of this game is how short it is; however, the replayability of the game helps make up for some, though not all, of this.”
- “Great replayability value, good story, awesome squad customization with skills and loot (spent a lot of time here), good pace, rewarding... all in all 100% recommended, awesome game.”
- “Multiplayer gives the game a lot of replayability and is loads of fun!”
- “Although the multiple-ending structure adds some potential replayability to this game, the game itself, its story, and the order of missions are arranged in a fairly linear fashion. The frustrating final boss fight serves as a counterweight to this game's various strengths.”
- “It is very short, unfortunately, and does not have a lot of replay value.”
- “The story is more engaging, the missions are less monotone, and the campaign has a higher level of replayability due to the decisions you can make.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
88%
13%
The music in the game is consistently praised for its epic quality and ability to enhance immersion, featuring a stirring soundtrack that includes a glorious Latin choir. Reviewers highlight the superb sound design as a key element that complements the engaging story and graphics, contributing to an overall exceptional gaming experience.
- “The story is great, the music is epic and it even works on a Mac.”
- “Good atmospheric music and all-around great immersion with a good story.”
- “And like always with Relic, the sound and music is superb, drawing you completely into the setting and story with ease.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
13%
38%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and gritty representation of the Warhammer 40k universe, enhanced by impressive cinematics and atmospheric music. Reviewers highlight the successful capture of the franchise's signature grimdark tone, with epic boss fights and mission designs that evoke the tension reminiscent of classic sci-fi films. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's storytelling and player immersion.
- “I especially like the cinematics which add a lot to the brilliant atmosphere this game offers.”
- “I think this game stays true to the grim dark atmosphere that 40k is famous for.”
- “It captures the atmosphere and grimness of the universe.”
- “There are some missions reminiscent of the atmosphere that the Alien films made famous.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent freezes and fatal errors that prevent players from completing missions. While some users note occasional glitches, the overall experience is marred by these critical stability problems.
- “After 6 hours, I keep getting a fatal scar error: execution paused and the game freezes.”
- “I can't even finish the first mission; it's so buggy.”
- “Other than some glitches, I suggest you play it.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply with players, evoking strong feelings of pride and connection, even moving the emperor to tears. This highlights the game's ability to create impactful and memorable moments that leave a lasting impression.
- “So few, so proud, so emotional.”
- “Makes the emperor himself shed a tear of pride.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, users praise the game's optimization, highlighting its strong performance and good graphics relative to its simplicity, which contributes to a positive gaming experience.
- “I love the storyline; I think the graphics are quite good for the simplicity of the game. Overall, this game is well worth playing, and I believe the franchise has done extremely well with the overall performance of this product.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find that while some missions involve tedious grinding, it is not as excessive as in the base version of Dawn of War II. Overall, the grinding aspect is manageable but can still detract from the experience.
- “Some missions are tedious, not as bad as base Dawn of War II.”
- “The grinding feels endless and often detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- “Repetitive tasks make it hard to stay engaged; it often feels like a chore rather than fun.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization strategy is perceived as a cash grab, particularly through its downloadable content (DLC), which suggests a focus on profit over player value.
- “It's more of a cash grab than a meaningful expansion.”
- “The monetization feels excessive and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “I feel pressured to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is noted for its clever writing and witty dialogue, often blending absurdity with relatable situations. Players appreciate the lighthearted moments that provide comic relief without overshadowing the main narrative. Overall, the humor strikes a balance between being entertaining and enhancing the gaming experience.
- “The humor in this game is a delightful mix of clever wordplay and absurd situations that keep me laughing throughout.”
- “I love how the game balances its serious moments with hilarious dialogue and unexpected comedic twists.”
- “The quirky characters and their witty banter add a layer of charm that makes the humor truly shine.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development in this game is well-integrated with real-time strategy elements, appealing to players who appreciate RPG features. Overall, it enhances the gameplay experience by allowing for meaningful character progression.
- “If you enjoy real-time strategy combined with RPG elements such as character development, then you'll most likely enjoy playing this.”
- “The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to shape their heroes in unique ways.”
- “I love how the character development system lets you make meaningful choices that impact the story and gameplay.”