Summary

Release Year: 2006
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Developers: Relic Entertainment
Publishers: THQ

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade (2006)

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade is a real-time strategy (RTS) game developed by Relic Entertainment and published by THQ. It was released for Microsoft Windows in October 2006. The game is the second expansion pack for Dawn of War, and it introduces two new playable races: the Tau and the Necrons.

Dark Crusade takes place on the planet of Kronus, which has been invaded by the Necrons. The other races of the galaxy must band together to defeat the Necrons and claim the planet for themselves. The game features a non-linear single-player campaign that allows players to experience the story from the perspective of each race.

In addition to the single-player campaign, Dark Crusade also features a robust multiplayer mode. Players can compete against each other in a variety of game modes, including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag. The game also supports cooperative play, allowing players to team up to take on the AI.

Dark Crusade was met with critical acclaim upon release. Critics praised the game’s graphics, gameplay, and faithfulness to the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.

Gameplay

Dark Crusade is a real-time strategy game in which players control an army of units to defeat their opponents. The game features a variety of units, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Players must carefully manage their resources and use their units effectively in order to achieve victory.

The game’s single-player campaign consists of 15 missions, each of which can be played from the perspective of a different race. The missions are non-linear, meaning that players can choose to complete them in any order they wish. The campaign also features a number of branching storylines, which are determined by the player’s choices throughout the game.

Races

There are seven playable races in Dark Crusade:

Space Marines: The Space Marines are the elite fighting force of the Imperium of Man. They are genetically enhanced and equipped with the best weapons and armor that the Imperium has to offer.
Orks: The Orks are a savage and brutal race of aliens. They are driven by a constant need for war and violence.
Eldar: The Eldar are a race of ancient and technologically advanced aliens. They are highly psychic and possess a deep understanding of the Warp.
Chaos Space Marines: The Chaos Space Marines are traitors who have turned their backs on the Imperium and pledged themselves to the dark gods of Chaos. They are corrupted by the Warp and possess powerful psychic abilities.
Tau: The Tau are a young and progressive race of aliens. They are technologically advanced and possess a strong sense of honor.
Necrons: The Necrons are an ancient and mysterious race of aliens. They are immortal and possess powerful weapons and technology.

Reception

Here are some excerpts from reviews of the game:

“Dark Crusade is the best Dawn of War expansion yet, and one of the best RTS games ever made.” – IGN
“Dark Crusade is a must-play for fans of the Dawn of War series and Warhammer 40,000 universe alike.” – GameSpot
“Dark Crusade is a triumph of game design, and it sets a new standard for RTS games.” – Eurogamer

Legacy

Dark Crusade is considered to be one of the best RTS games ever made. It is a faithful adaptation of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, and it features a deep and engaging single-player campaign and a robust multiplayer mode. The game has been praised for its graphics, gameplay, and faithfulness to the source material.

Dark Crusade has had a significant impact on the RTS genre. It introduced a number of new features and innovations that have been adopted by other RTS games. The game’s non-linear single-player campaign and branching storylines have been particularly influential.

Dark Crusade is still played by a large community of fans today. The game is regularly featured in online tournaments and ladders. There is also a modding community that has created a number of new maps, units, and campaigns for the game.