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(More customer reviews)Since it is the number one consideration I make in choosing if I'm going to buy a game, I have to talk about the copy protection.Yes it's not the game, but it is a part of the overall product.If you can't play the game, then it's of no use to you.Dawn of War 2 is more intrusive than the CD keys of the old days.Those keys were perfectly reasonable and fair, but nowadays I can't understand why companies punish their paying customers with annoying activations.I purchased Max Payne 2 and the protection couldn't recognize my CD drive so I couldn't use it; their response was tough luck.I have almost entirely stopped buying PC games because the protection adds risk.
That said, the protection scheme that Relic went with is at least not as bad as it could be.You have to install Steam by Valve software and there is a CD Key too, but as far as I can tell Steam isn't evil and it doesn't do anything to screw with your system.You do need to have an Internet connection the first time you install the game, but after that you can put everything in offline mode and not connect.While this isn't as bad as it could have been, if you're a US Army trooper stationed in a country without access to the Internet to validate your copy or if you just don't have a connection, you're out of luck.You also have to have a Games For Windows Live account, but you can create an offline one.When playing single player it's slightly annoying to be asked/reminded multiple times if you want to be in online mode.
So, on to the game.The first thing you'll notice is that this is NOT Dawn of War.The first game was kind of like StarCraft or most RTS games where you build a base, then units, then fight it out.At least in single player, Dawn of War 2 is more like those StarCraft levels where you had a small group of soldiers and your goal was to reach the other side of the map.Whether you like this change or not, well that's a matter of taste.I kind of like not worrying about the base development.At the same time, it does make the game a little less interesting because you lose that base defense and resource management aspect.
The characters are great.You get a little bit of RPG angle to things because you can customize the armor, weapon, and special bonus that each squad gets.This isn't all that deep, sort of like X-Men Legends 2 character tweaking.There is an interesting touch where you can gain certain bonus skills if you reach milestones adding points in certain areas.For example, if you add points to the scout's "will" (mana) attribute you can get a skill to not drain energy if concealed while standing still.You get the idea.I liked it since you get to choose whether to round out your squad or take a risk and get some benefits for focusing in on one or two areas.
Dreadnoughts are back and just as fun as ever.They'll still pick up the bad guy sometimes and toss them around the map.Plus, they don't need cover; they ARE cover.In single player, he's about useless until you get the "self repair" ability.Unlike your normal characters, he won't heal over time.Once you get that ability, he'll can fix himself and becomes a major player.You can revive fallen comrades if you have at least one guy left, but I couldn't ever get him to revive anybody so it's probably a limit to balance the abilities of this unit type.
Controls are tight and the characters will generally do what you want them to.I occasionally had problems selecting all units at once, though.Graphics look good.Sounds fit the game nicely and the voice acting is quite good.You've got a good story and entertaining Multiplayer.Overall though, to me it just didn't meet what I was expecting.I do enjoy it, but I'd have rather had more of an enhanced version of the previous game with some levels like this thrown in.As with the first game, you only get Space Marines campaigns.Too bad.I probably won't stick around too long after I finish the single player campaign, but I'll have fun until then.
This package is perfect because you can import your DOW2 campaign into CR and start off with your earned skills and some of your equipment.DOW2 and CR differ signifigantly in their mechanics.DOW2 is easier; you have a lot more chance to play random missions to level up or for goodies and supplies boost everybody's special equipment.Chaos has fewer random missions and throws in tasks that leave you more pure or more tainted by Chaos.It's an interesting idea, but does make things annoying at times when you have to use a specific character or replay a mission just to avoid corruption.Supplies are type specific so you get fewer uses.Both games are fun.
Check the system requirements well before you buy it.It requires significantly more power than Dawn of War did.You also need a decent video card.My system beats the suggested specs, I have an Athlon 5600+ CPU, 3 GB of RAM, and a GeForce 8400 GS video card and it's a little jerky at times.The game has a cool feature that rates your setup and can automatically configure for best performance.My card apparently isn't up to snuff even at the lowest settings, so I can still play but it thinks I'd lag out of online play.Just as well, I have no interest in that.
I did find one trick that can help a little in Vista.Right-click the Steam icon (since Steam has to run to play the game) and choose Properties.Now go to to the Compatibility tab and check to Disable desktop composition.This will shut down the Aero features and should give a little bit of a graphics boost.If you have a nVida card you can go into nVidia Control Panel, view Advanced Settings, manage 3D settings, and change the "Texture filtering - Quality" to "Performance".Do a search online if you need more detailed instructions how to change that setting.Those seem to have helped a bit for my setup.Really though, you need a decent card if you want to play online or if you care about it being super pretty.
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Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War IIProduct Description: Enter the grim darkness of the futurewhere there is only war, in the Gold Edition of the acclaimed real-timestrategy PC game franchise,
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II. Includingboth the original game,
Dawn of War II, and the standalone expansion
Dawn of War: Chaos Rising, the
Dawn of War II Gold Editionchallenges players to use the Space Marines to defend humanity from a varietyof ravenous alien factions, as well as the traitorous Chaos Space Marines.The Gold Edition contains two single player campaigns, five factions tocommand in online multiplayer, a co-op gameplay options and more.
The Games Two epic single player campaigns.
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Brutal action and tactics.
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A next generation RTS game engine capable of persistent long-term goals.
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27 multiplayer maps.
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Corrupting game altering powers.
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Five faction options in multiplayer action.
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Defend the Imperium of Man It is the distant future and the Imperium of Man has spread across the entiregalaxy, but our days of expansion are long past. Once, when the Emperorlead in battle, and the Imperium was unstoppable. Those days are no more.The Emperor has withdrawn to Earth to rule from his Golden Throne, leavinga thousand wars of attrition in his name where defenders die by the billions.There is little hope for support from Earth and humanity is losing the battlefor survival. The only chance lies with the Space Marines, genetically modifiedwarriors of superhuman ability and the pinnacle of human potential. Butthe Space Marines are few, the galaxy is large and enemies are countless.The situation is most dire in sub-sector Aurelia. It is from this clusterof worlds on the very edge of the Imperium that came the Blood Ravens, achapter of the Emperor's own Space Marines. Now savage aliens seek to overrunthe sector, and break the Blood Ravens once and for all. Captain DavianThule and a handful of Space Marines lead the raw recruits defending theseworlds. Yet, another Space Marine prepares to join this desperate battle,a newly promoted commander, ready to lead in our darkest hour. You are thisSpace Marine.
Key Game Features
Simplified Entry Point – Whether you're new to the RTS genre or a seasoned veteran, Dawn of War II gets you into the action quickly and easily. Learn the game at your own pace and get ready to save the galaxy.
Brutal Front-line Action and Tactics – Get straight into theaction and experience intense melee and devastating ranged combat. Usevicious melee sync-kills to obliterate your enemies. Outsmart your opponents- using dynamic and destructible environments to suppress, flank anddestroy your foes.
An Epic Single Player Campaign – Command an elite Space Marine strike force, developing the skills and abilities of your squads and commander as you progress through the game.
Persistent Long-term Goals – Customize your Space Marines with persistent leveling and unlockable special abilities. Equip them with the hundreds of unique weapons and items you earn through mission rewards and battlefield drops.
Online Multiplayer – Play through the entire single playercampaign cooperatively with a friend, at any point in the game, anytime,or go it alone as any of the four factions against online competition.
Next Generation RTS Engine – Utilizing Relic's proprietary Essence Engine 2.0 to deliver cinematic visuals, detailed graphics and special effects.
Stand Against the Forces of Chaos Your Blood Raven Space Marines have saved the sector from the ravenous Tyranid hordes, but can they save themselves in the conflict to come? In
Warhammer 40000: Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising, the sequel to the acclaimed
Dawn of War II RTS franchise, you return to sub sector Aurelia where a long lost frozen ice planet has reappeared from the Warp, bringing with it new secrets to uncover and foes to face. Here you must take command of the Blood Ravens and defend the sector against the forces 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.
Key Game Features
New Single Player Missions – Continue your fight against the enemies of the Emperor and use your Space Marine squads' wargear, abilities, and experience to battle Chaos in 15 new missions.
New Environment and Multiplayer Maps – New ice planet graphics set increases visual diversity and adds 7 new multiplayer maps. Six-player multiplayer support available online.
Aspire to Glory – Build your existing squads up to level 30 and unlock even more devastating abilities.
Chaos Corruption Mechanic – New single player mechanic allows you to equip incredibly powerful equipment that corrupts your squad and will guide the story towards or away from the corrupting influence of Chaos.
Five Multiplayer Factions – Swear loyalty to the Chaos Gods and play as the bloodthirsty Chaos Space Marines or any of the other four factions in multiplayer battles against both Chaos Rising and Dawn of War II owners.
New Units – New units for the Space Marines, Ork, Eldar, and Tyranid armies.
2 New Last Stand Heroes – Face off against the relentless hordeas either the Chaos Sorcerer or Tyranid Hive Tyrant.
System Requirements
Minimum Specifications: Recommended Specifications: OS: Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista SP1 Processor: P4 3.2 GHz (single core) or any Dual Core processor AMD Athlon 64x2 4400+ or any Intel Core 2 Duo RAM: 1.5GB 2+GB Disc Drive: DVD-ROM drive Hard Drive: 5.5GB or more Video Card: 128MB Video Card (Shader Model 3) - Nvidia GeForce 6600 GT / ATI X1600, or equivalent 256MB Video Card (Shader Model 3) - Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT/ ATI X1900, or equivalent Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c or 10 compatible Input Device: Mouse and keyboard Other: Internet connection required for online Games for Windows LIVE play
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