Dawn of War 2 MP Beta For All Tonight

[modeps]

http://evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/dawnofwar2_logo.jpg

Just in case you didn't know, in about 5 minutes you're going to be able to grab the Dawn of War 2 multiplayer beta straight from Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/15660/). This is for everyone, not just for those folks who have already been playing it thanks to owning DoW: Soulstorm (http://evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75129).

Rock on yo (even though this is more of an MP demo than a beta).

[Bushido]

I have been playing DoW for years but I had doubts about soulstorm and I have doubts about the sequel. Thanks for posting this I would love to try this game before I spend money.

[The Bashar]

So good! More like COH, but a little easier to manage. Take some time to do some comp stomps before being raped online.

[Steve_Erhardt]

Soulstorm gets an unfair beating, I think. It's certainly not the game-changer that Dark Crusade was (it only took the new idea DC brought to the table another step further), but between the new armies, maps, units, and other tweaks like having a reserve force to depoly, I still say Soulstorm was a completely worthy addition in it's own right.

For the DoW2 Beta, aside from that utterly inexcuseable vsync bug right out the gate, I've loved every minute of it. It IS a huge shift from Original DoW in game play, but a good shift, and best of all, IMO, it doesn't invalidate Original DoW. Because they both play so differently, it still makes perfect sense to keep both on your HD.

[Steve_Erhardt]

So good! More like COH, but a little easier to manage. Take some time to do some comp stomps before being raped online.

QFT

My first game was a team match and my side won, but I don't harbor any illusions that my contribution was very helpful beyond just giving the other side something else to beat on. After I switched to 1v1 matches, I got beat down like a little bitch every time. I'm not making excuses, I've often admitted that while I love playing RTS, I really kind of suck at them; but the game works/plays so differently than what I was used to in Original DoW that my unfamiliarity with... just about everything... was without doubt the biggest reason I was being crushed every time I turned around.

A few rounds to get your feel for the game vs. AI can't recommended enough unless you're already some kind of RTS-savant. ;)

[Zander]

Good deal. Pulling it down now.

[drakkarim]

strange, i just dont' care for some reason... i think i'd be more interested in a second company of heroes.

[Sarconix]

[QUOTE=Steve_Erhardt;1707861It IS a huge shift from Original DoW in game play, but a good shift, and best of all, IMO, it doesn't invalidate Original DoW. Because they both play so differently, it still makes perfect sense to keep both on your HD.[/QUOTE]

Can you elaborate on these differences? I own all the DoW games, but I have barely played them online. I just started a few days ago with the beta, against AI. I am just wondering what to expect if I end up buying this. Thanks.

[Cutter99]

DoW 2 = no base building, of any kind. You get your starting building which creates all your units plus two turrets to guard it. Certain commander types and races can build certain "in field" emplacements like turrets or transporters - but these things fill up your unit cap just like your soldiers.

DoW 2 has 4 "battle" abilities for you to use - two that are race-specific and two that are commander-specific. The main resource for these abilities charges up when you capture control points or kill enemy soldiers. They are usually crazy powerful and can turn a bleak situation into a stunning come from behind win.

DoW 2 involves a lot more micro of your units (of which there are fewer than DoW 1.) Upgrades are bought specifically for each squad. The CoH cover mechanic plays a heavy part too - including unit suppression, quick retreats, and units in the open taking a beating.

DoW 2 (at least in the MP Beta) gives each team 500 victory points - and the object is to drain your opponents off first. This is done by controlling the flags longer than the other guy (a la the BF1942ish games.) While you can siege up their base and blow it away for the win - you're really better off holding the flags.

DoW 2 commander units are like Warcraft 3 heroes - with a nice array of abilities, and 3 upgradeable equipment slots that give neat bonuses and skills depending on what you pick. Each race has 3 commander types which vary a lot, trading offensive power for defensive support in various combination.

The abilities of the DoW 2 races and commanders really make for neat mashups in team games. For example: the Space Marine "medic" commander has a "rez fallen commanders" ability that can really help out the team. Or the Eldar Far-seer who can reveal the other teams commanders through the fog - you get the idea.

I guess that's about all the changes from DoW 1 I can think of. =) So far it has been a ton of fun, and I highly recommend people give it a look.

[Sarconix]

Cutter99, thanks for the review of differences. I guess I had not played DoW in such a long time (and with CoH in between) that the games started running together in my head. That also explains some of the new buttons I am seeing.

One odd thing comes to mind: they reduce the effective unit counts, and introduce the Tyranids? I though low unit counts were the reason they couldn't (or wouldn't) do Tyranids in DoW 1, or so I heard.

[lallous]

No matter how much negativity this game gets I'm sure everyone will still want to download the beta. As a COH player, I'm eager to see how this incorporates features from COH.

[Exodus]

I'm more interested in the single player co-op multiplayer!

[balamoor]

Well they need to spend a great deal more time polishing the game especially in regard to load times and Multiplayer performance. If my machine is having issues with it I pitty anyone with a mid range system.

[Cutter99]

One odd thing comes to mind: they reduce the effective unit counts, and introduce the Tyranids? I though low unit counts were the reason they couldn't (or wouldn't) do Tyranids in DoW 1, or so I heard.

Wierdly, I think the low unit counts actually *helps* create the "Tyranid swarm" look. Where a Space Marine unit only has three or four men to it - a Tyranid unit will have eight to twelve. In raw body count the Tyranids will always outnumber everyone else 2 to 1 or better - which really makes it seem like they have teeming legions.

Personally, I think they never added them to DoW 1 as a long-term marketing plan: knowing they'd be a big draw, they saved em for the sequel.

[balamoor]

Just want to reiterate on the buggy as hell net code.....Relic is blaming steam and Windows live...no matter it makes the beta painful to play and the pre-order button a insult.

How different DOW was.

[Steve_Erhardt]

Just want to reiterate on the buggy as hell net code.....Relic is blaming steam and Windows live...no matter it makes the beta painful to play and the pre-order button a insult.

How different DOW was.

Hrm... I haven't had a lick of trouble with the game (aside from getting my ass kicked, but this is expected for me). Hosting myself, joining somebody else's game, 2 players, 6 players, mix of players and AI... doesn't matter. It all runs smooth as glass, and my rig isn't exactly cutting edge anymore.

The only thing I'd spank them for right now is the vsync bug (inexcusable, really), but if you can get past that (admittedly show-stopping) bug, this demo is pure excellence.

[balamoor]

Hrm... I haven't had a lick of trouble with the game (aside from getting my ass kicked, but this is expected for me). Hosting myself, joining somebody else's game, 2 players, 6 players, mix of players and AI... doesn't matter. It all runs smooth as glass, and my rig isn't exactly cutting edge anymore.

The only thing I'd spank them for right now is the vsync bug (inexcusable, really), but if you can get past that (admittedly show-stopping) bug, this demo is pure excellence.


Seems to be a hit miss thing....some are saying it is dependant on if you are using a onboard Nic and the type of nic...Relic says they are aware.