The definitive remaster of Dawn of War is back after 21 years from the first title: with all the expansions and a graphic restyling to improve the visual impact.
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition aims to be the definitive experience of the title. The title includes all expansions (Winter Assault, Dark Crusade and Soulstorm), along with an upscale of character textures and the environment with better lighting. In addition to this there was the adaptation of MODs for 64 bit systems and from 4:3 to 16:9.
The real question, however, remains one: in an era of very high quality remakes that soften even poorly aged mechanics, is it worth buying Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition? However, being aware that it is a remaster and not a remake?
First of all, a little history
It was September 20, 2004 when THQ released one of the best RTS of the time: Warhammer 40k: Dawn of war. The solid, fast and innovative gameplay together with the setting immediately made the title successful. Not to mention the personality and originality of the title which takes the narrative background of the Warhammer 40k universe. In fact, we will play as the Space Marine chapter of the Blood Ravens dealing with the invasion of the planet Tartarus by the Orks.
The plot, although simple, even if it will undergo twists, moves well and does its duty to support the gameplay. On the multiplayer side we could choose the 4 factions present in the plot: Orks, Eldar, Chaos Space Marines and Space Marine. In the storyline for some missions, it was also possible to use part of the Imperial Guard.
Subsequent expansions: Winter Assault brings the Imperial Guard, Dark Crusade introduces Necrons and Tau while Soulstorm adds the Sisters of Battle and the Dark Eldar.
From the first expansion you can choose whether to play with the forces of the empire or with Chaos. In subsequent ones, however, the choice is open to each faction present.
Dawn of War gameplay
Let’s briefly summarize the gameplay and what led the title to be one of the best modern RTSs ever.
The game favors a more aggressive approach and skirmishes. In fact, it takes a lot from the rules of the board game. This implies the addition of a team system and a more realistic melee dynamic, different from most other strategy games. Units are created and fought in teams that can be improved both in number and upgrades. So you can customize a unit however you like. Melee is more dynamic because units have both melee and ranged weapons so they can shoot and run to go into melee. Obviously the unit can equip heavy weapons and remain stationary, making for good micro management.
Furthermore, the vehicles, different for each faction, have the same customization and are extremely versatile in combat.
Morale is another mechanic taken from the board game and is morale. If each unit suffers too much damage it loses morale: this implies a decrease in precision and an increase in damage suffered. This is why it is important to have captains or characters who can keep morale high.
Last, but not least, is the resource system. There are two types of resources: requisition and energy. The requisition is continuously provided by some particular points on the map, the listening posts, while the energy is instead produced by the generators, built by paying for requisitioning. Be careful because enemies can reconquer and “steal” our conquests.
In addition to strategic points we have objectives to conquer and maintain and relics: fundamental for the final units for each faction.
The change with Dark Crusade and Soulstorm
Already Winter Assault improves the campaign with the possibility of choosing which faction to choose, but Dark Crusade and Soulstorm add a very interesting system. In addition to the classic dynamics, the last 2 expansions add a system of planets to conquer and defend. Basically a RISIKO in the Warhammer 40k universe in which management and reinforcement dynamics of the conquered areas are added. Each planet is divided into sectors under the influence of different factions. Our goal is to conquer and at the same time defend ourselves from aggression. A notable upgrade for the series overall.
Even now, Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition is an extremely solid title in terms of mechanics. I assure you that it was a pleasure to replay all the chapters. Furthermore, the game community is very active and still has around 5,000 users playing the title.
A “lazy” remaster
Long story short, Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition is a remaster that doesn’t do complete justice to what the title is. High-quality textures are often not up to par and especially more elaborate models suffer from this situation. Although the glance is good, just zooming in to see the work is quite rough. This is also expanded by the small polygonal count (obviously a product of its time). Above all, the first chapter sometimes suffers from the positioning of some texts not being perfectly centered. Probably due to the transition from 4:3 to 16:9 without too much attention.
Subsequent expansions have a better look, but the problem of texture quality still remains.
The game, gameplay and dynamics have remained (fortunately) the same. Nothing has been touched or changed, so that the experience of Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition is the authentic one. As much as I appreciate this, in 2025 not being able to reconfigure the buttons and having to modify it in the game folders is not forgivable.
As for improving unit pathing, frankly I haven’t noticed much progress. In fact, managing multiple units, especially in tight spots, creates problems and units with heavy weapons often have to be “encouraged” to open fire.
My Two Cents
Before continuing I want to say that the rating you will read is not a rating for the game, but for what has been done with this remaster.
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition has the great value of encompassing all the experience that the title offers. The nostalgia effect is strong, thanks also to gameplay that is still solid and has aged very well. Unfortunately for the game, the Warhammer 40K universe is constantly developing, both aesthetically and lore-wise. For this reason it will certainly make old players feel at ease. Differently, it can displace new users, accustomed to styles and details of very different quality.
The glance and the presumed improvements are perhaps too little for a 2025 remaster. I understand the love for this title and consequently the disappointment that can come from just enough work. This is also due to the fluctuating approval of the second chapter and the even lower approval of the third.
So, is it worth buying? Yes, if you don’t own a full copy of the game. You will have the entire original experience in your hands, minus all the critical issues. Otherwise no, it’s not worth the price.
The real strength of Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition is precisely the gameplay left intact. It alone saves the remaster from a perhaps serious insufficiency, although it is impossible to evaluate the quality of a remaster as if it were a remake. I hope that the developers are able to grasp the criticisms to give birth to the fourth chapter of Dawn of War which combines the great gameplay of the first, plus a graphic design worthy of the title it represents.
Free review copy received from the developers.
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition
PRO
- A full compendium of Dawn of War saga
- You can enjoy the original game experience
CON
- Poor texture improvement
- There’s still pathing issues
- All in all, a “lazy” remaster by 2025 standards.
6/10
