Sling

(Cover box of Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, picture of a Necron Lord.)
I will be making a series of reviews on games (that I have played) based on several different aspects. If you would like me to rate a game I have played (or will play or have) just send me a PM asking me to do so. All in all, I don't think this will get much attention, but, it's my way of getting ideas off my head. (Other than IC)
Graphics
Originality
Single Player Gameplay
Multi Player Gameplay
Artificial Intelligence (if in the game)
Overall Gameplay
Design
Story
First off, I will rate Dawn of War.
Dawn of War has several different games involved in it. All in all, the people are smart in their design, when you go on to play the next game, or expansion, you must have bought the last one to play the old races. Thus, it's expensive, but fun. It currently has 3-4 installments, however.
Dawn of War
Dawn of War: Winter Assault
Dawn of War: Dark Crusade
Dawn of War: Soulstorm
I have not been able to grab a hold of Soulstorm, so I will be going off Dark Crusade.
As far as I know, the Dawn of War was the first online RTS to involve squad-play. If not, it's the first game i've played to have done so. (There are others out now, I know, BFME, Mark of Chaos, Company of Heroes, etc...) However, there are various problems I will not point out with the other games. In this game, however, there is a lot of variety, you can play many different races, and, as a whole, do different things. Some examples:
You can play between the: Imperial Guard, Space Marines, Chaos Space Marines, Tau, Necrons, and Eldar in Dawn of War, with the addition of Dark Eldar in Soulstorm.
You can also color your own units the way you want, make their banners, and their symbols.
Unlike my favorite strategy game, Warcraft, this game actually involves, well, strategy. Each squad type has it's own abilities, be it throwing grenades, the ability to infiltrate, demolish buildings, EMP grenades, or for some tanks, fire missle barrages. You can also attach more units to your squads (with a max, of course) along with equip them with new guns as the game allows. For example, a Stealth Suit of the Tau begins with only one troop in the squad, the ability to be stealthed. You can add two more units to the squad, along with a leader later on, and then upgrade pulse rifles for the squad to deal more damage. Additionally, you can allow them to fly temporarily on Jetpacks to jet in or out of battle!
The story of Warhammer 40,000 is well known to the gamer world, well, not necessarily known, but, people know of the game. It is unique, and actually one of the very few story lines that jumps into it with little BS "ima pull it outa my arse" crap. (I.E. Some of you might have read books where people have something that would have been near impossible to have. Such as, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, when Mark Antoney somehow has his will even though it should be in his closet at home.) It is a generally straight-forward story, and easy to follow. Not only that, but, for most of the Warhammer games, books are included! So you can get more in depth with the world of warhammer!
Graphics: 7/10
Originality: 8/10
Single Player Gameplay: 8/10 (Varying difficulties of the AI makes it easy for you to do well, which is always good for those that are new.)
Multi Player Gameplay: 6/10 (Due to the fact that if you stink at it, it is no fun.)
Artificial Intelligence: 5/10 (Will attempt to counter you, etc, overall an average AI, nothing too impressive.)
Overall Gameplay: 9/10
Design: 8/10
Story: 6/10
Total score: 7.125/10
Wrapping it Up: It's a fun game, if your good. The multi-player games are not too long to where you'll get bored, and sometimes very short and sweet. The solo-gameplay (Campaign) is very fun, and interesting, varying with each race you play. Originality is self explanatory, it follows Warhammer, sure, but it's squad based, and probably one of the more indepth RTS games out there. The AI is average, nothing to go crazy about. The design is beautiful, though, I have not said this before, but, lets say a basilisk tank (Imperial Guard artillery tank) purchases a Earth-quaker shell, it can decimate infantry, making them die and fly outward like rag-dolls! A great game for explosives, shooting, strategy, and even customization.
Is the game worth the money: If your patient, and can stand getting kicked around for awhile, yes. If your impatient, this is definetly not the game for you, there is no learning curve, but I do believe there is a tutorial. This game is a great game for fellow RTS lovers, and definetly worth the $$$.


(Picture of Orks fighting what looks to be an army of Tau Firewarriors.)

EtherealCookie

If you love RTS, this is truely the game for you. Its awesome, yeah? Waagh!


But I don't like RTS.

Typewriter

Warcraft has strategy, sling... But yeah, other than that, i agree.

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Sling

To an extent, it does. Custom games not so much, no matter where you place it. Risk in particular. Any game where something is randomized, a bit of strategy is tossed in the wind. The normal, B.Net games is all about what units you mass, micro, and how fast you build them. Flanking isn't all that big of deal, just more of an indicator of how your army is fairing. STILL, i'de rate Warcraft higher, I mean, I love Warcraft, best RTS there is. Just, it takes skill, but there is very little "tactical" value in it. (Other than a few custom games, I suppose.)

Typewriter

One thing DOW really needs is a map editor.

That would make me rofl. But yeah, then it would suffer from those problems you highlighted.

Oh, BTW i'm making an RTS and a FPS, the FPS will probabally be finished first, would you like to beta test?

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Sling

Yeah, i'll beta test it, send an email to [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] when the time is right. I love both FPS and RTS, so, looking foreward to it .

Typewriter

Whats the next review gonna be?

I'm thinking of getting Devil May Cry 4, and that expansion to CnC 3. Also, blacksite. Have you played any of those?

EDIT: Btw, replace the @ with <at> and . with <Dot> to keep off those damn spam bots. And thanks.

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Sling

I currently have a World of Warcraft review written up, along with a Counter-Strike: Source. I do not have either of the games you are wanting to get, however. If your meaning Command and Conquer, Wrath of Kaine, however, I have a friend that would tell you it's a great game, he just loves it. That's all he talked about for a full three days. If you want, I can post both the CSS and the WoW reviews up here, also. Just wasn't sure if people took an interest. Anyone else have a suggestion as to what I should take a deeper look at? (Deeper look as in, you don't really preview overall game performance when your playing it, most of the time.)

EtherealCookie

Don't bother with WoW. I myself would love to see CS Source, as I'm puzzled as to why people still play CS 1.6, as myself, instead of going to Source... Is it that bad?

Sling

Some people prefer 1.6 because it has a lot less spray and pray killing abilities. I prefer Source because, well, it's what I have, and I am at least almost decent at it. I'll post it up, same forum, different topic.