Dawn of War 4 offers a playable, if unexciting, return to the Warhammer 40,000 universe, according to a preview of its Ork and Adeptus Mechanicus campaigns. While the game clearly respects the series' lineage, it struggles to innovate, leading to a sense of disappointment for a franchise known for reinventing itself with each installment.
A Legacy of Change
The original Dawn of War, developed by Relic Entertainment, stood out with its cover mechanics and engaging unit customization, bringing the tabletop warfare to life. Its sequel, Dawn of War 2, radically shifted the genre by removing traditional base-building and focusing on commanding small squads. This approach emphasized tactical squad usage over overwhelming force, a bold departure that distinguished it from its predecessor.
Even Dawn of War 3 attempted to adapt to the evolving RTS landscape, incorporating elements from popular MOBAs like Dota 2 and League of Legends by bolstering hero units and introducing special abilities. It also reintroduced base-building while removing cover mechanics, altering the established gameplay loop.
Retreading Familiar Ground
Dawn of War 4, developed by King Art Games, appears to draw heavily from the original Dawn of War, a decision that leads to a competent but dated feel. The sequel reinstates base-building and cover mechanics while increasing unit caps beyond Dawn of War 2's intimate squad focus. This deference to the 2004 original results in gameplay that feels less like a modern evolution and more like a modern interpretation of past mechanics.
While Dawn of War 4 boasts enhanced unit customization, improved unit management tools, and sharper visuals with more detailed models and closer camera options, it inherits some of the older game's design weaknesses. The larger armies, despite improved grouping and selection options, can lead to a loss of meaningful tactical control. Managing a growing number of units, especially the inexpensive Ork units, often devolves into simply overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers, a tactic that, while effective, lacks the satisfying strategic depth seen in the series' more innovative entries.
Adeptus Mechanicus Offers Glimmers of Tactical Depth
The Adeptus Mechanicus campaign offers a more promising tactical experience, particularly in its early stages. Unlike the Orks, this faction encourages a more considered approach, leveraging unit specializations. Units like the Skitarii Rangers excel at long-range sniping from cover, while the Skitarii Vanguard can deal with heavily armored targets. Their weakness in melee is compensated by close-combat specialists like the Sicarian Ruststalkers, requiring careful positioning and synergy.
Early missions, such as defending against Necron assaults, effectively pressure players into thoughtful resource allocation and strategic troop placement. The introduction of trapped friendly units around the map further encourages calculated risks to bolster forces. However, as the campaign progresses, battles tend to scale up, diminishing the focus on individual unit tactics and reverting to the overwhelming 'bolter-blob' approach.
A Missed Opportunity?
Despite the developers' evident attention to detail in capturing the unique aesthetics and lore of the Warhammer 40,000 factions, the gameplay in Dawn of War 4 has left the previewer feeling somewhat deflated. The reliance on familiar mechanics and the reintroduction of previously addressed design flaws suggest a missed opportunity for the series to once again reinvent itself. While increasing the difficulty might encourage more tactical play, it won't fully obscure the feeling that Dawn of War 4 has failed to capture the inventive spirit that defined its predecessors.