WH40K Game of the Year Edition Announced

[Evil Avatar]

For RTS gamers who haven't taken the plunge yet, THQ is going to release (http://www.thq.co.uk/games/product/Warhammer+40,000:+Dawn+of+War+Game+of+the+Year+Edi tion?ProdPlatform=pc) a "Game of the Year" version of Relic's RTS, Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War.

Relic are launching the Game of The Year Edition, featuring 4 new maps unique to the GOTY Edition, 4 maps previously only available online and new online features inc Observer Mode, Friends list and Arranged Teams.Not much in the way of extra goodies, if you ask me. It sounds more like the "Recently Patched of the Year" version.

[if76]

I think the requirements for a "Game of the Year" edition should be a little stricter.

[dark_inchworm]

Game of the Year Edition, Collector's Edition, Blatant Cash-In Edition, whatever they want to call this, I need to pick this up eventually. When's the street date?

[Testcase]

Howabout a "We fixed the boner that is patch 1.3" edition?

[Heretic Machine]

...Who awarded them GOTY anyway?

[Kefkataran]

I've heard good things about this game, and I have sort of been aching for some RTS. Anyone who owns or has played it that can give me a rundown of the pros and cons?

[ÜberJumper]

Ummmm even I can't remember them getting awarded Game of the Year... I have a feeling a smaller reviews site might have...

[screwtape]

Anyone who owns or has played it that can give me a rundown of the pros and cons?
Each team runs around capturing checkpoints and strategic points, which in turn provides requisition resources (money). Success usually hinges on which areas of the map you control, taking points and crouching in certain terrain for cover, so a lot of the game is running around capturing or holding checkpoints. Those who camp don't seem to do too well.

The races are fairly varied as far as unit type and overall strategy go; I'm sure you can find a detailed breakdown on a fan site. It's a bit lengthy for me to get into here.

Don't buy the game if you're interested in a single-player campaign, as there isn't much of one. A few simple levels and you're done with that.

One thing that really annoys me - certain units have "finishing" animations - a big mech-type unit will pick up an enemy and chop him in half with a saw blade, for example. The problem is, for the 3 seconds during the death animation, the unit is invincible. With squads that rely on grenades/mines/etc that require a 30-second or more recharge, if you use your grenade during the enemy's animation, you've wasted it. This is especially detrimental to the Eldar, who rely on quick guerilla strikes with powerful weapons.

I mostly play against the computer, as I'm not good enough to go toe-to-toe online. I've played maybe a dozen games online, and had a fun time. I don't know how strong the online community is at this point, though.

It's a fun RTS. I think there's still a demo floating around if you wanted to give that a try, though you can only play as the Space Marines.

[Kefkataran]

Don't buy the game if you're interested in a single-player campaign, as there isn't much of one. A few simple levels and you're done with that.

Ahhh, well single-player is mostly what I'd be interested in. I'm in the same boat as you where generally I don't have enough time to commit to these games to become good enough to really compete online. Oh well.

[CapnBob]

I'll think about getting it when there's a "we-included-Tyranids-this-time" edition.

[eatme]

You don't have to be great to play online-- there are casual games going on all the time. Just stay away from the ladder. :)

It's the best RTS I've played in a long time, multiplayer-wise (SP is worthless, as screwtape pointed out). Definitely worth snagging if you can talk your friends into it too. Finally got me back into RTSes, after I'd been burnt out on them for a long time.

[ÜberJumper]

Just doing some research on the GOTY thing, and Gamespy did NOT award Dawn of War their "Game of the Year" award. It was not mentioned in their top 10, and was only number 7 for PC games. It did get the "Best use of License" award though.

[Testcase]

Aside: I thought it was CGW that called it GOTY for RTS AFAIK.. HAH HAH

Aside 2: I like the game but only play skirmishes against the AI and normally I hate RTS altogether. The newest patch has irked me in a number of ways, the main one being that I notice the AI being a little "screwy" about its use of vehicles. But overall, still enjoy it. I stay off of online play as, since i suck at it, id rather play with people I know then some nobz I dont. :)

[Chill]

I thought the single player portion was very well done. Not to say it wasn't short (13 missions i think), but was quite satisfying and I really digged the ending.

[Steve_Erhardt]

Not much in the way of extra goodies, if you ask me. It sounds more like the "Recently Patched of the Year" version.
Agreed. Awesome game, and anybody who wants it and hasn't picked it up yet, this might be nice... but for those of us who've already got it, bleh. Nothing exciting in this package we don't already have.

[Sion]

I've heard good things about this game, and I have sort of been aching for some RTS. Anyone who owns or has played it that can give me a rundown of the pros and cons?


Pro: It's the best RTS game since StarCraft

Pro: It's the most fun RTS ever

[Kefkataran]

Pro: It's the best RTS game since StarCraft

Pro: It's the most fun RTS ever

Ugh. Now I'm getting talked into buying it again. :P

[ÜberJumper]

The single player's not awesome, but it is entertaining. The skirmish mode and online play is where the fun's to be had IMO.

With 4 substantially different races, and entertaining kill animations, this game can be a lot of fun.

[Draft]

Multiplayers a lot of fun. Singleplayers kind of boring.

[balamoor]

DOW owns me like Sigfried owns Roy, I can't wait for the Winter Assault expansion this fall. I heard that the Tyranids were going to make an appearance, but would not be playable.

[Thenetcase]

This game was "crap of the year" if anything...

[ÜberJumper]

balamoor:

I've not heard that the Tyranids are going to be in it. I do recall at least one Relic developer commenting that they're not going to do the Tyranids until they can do them right.

[balamoor]

balamoor:

I've not heard that the Tyranids are going to be in it. I do recall at least one Relic developer commenting that they're not going to do the Tyranids until they can do them right.

Yeah that's why I said they would make an appearance, form what I gathered at E-3 the Nids are going to show up in the last cut scene of Winter Assault setting up DOW II.

[agentgray]

This game was "crap of the year" if anything...
If you could defend that statement it'd be great. I don't see how it was crap.

I wrote a review of the game for an earlier incarnation of Evil Avatar otherwise I'd link to it. (Do you still have those Evil?) All in all it was my GOTY....just barely over Far Cry. I put a lot of hours into it.

Don't waste your money with this "new" edition. Find an original copy on the store shelves for much cheaper. Download the "new" content. The SP experience is where it's at.

I want the promised expansion pack. Relic hasn't delivered.