It turns out interesting after all, studio RELIC previously famous for its chic series of space strategies Homeworld, But there was only one project that overshadowed other merits. Warhammer 40000: Dawn of War It turned out to be exactly what the gamers missing in solid RTS were so longing. Popular universe Warhammer 40000, a cinematic production that affects the imagination of the schedule – it was a hit of thermonuclear power. Almost every second called RELIC "New Blizzard" (which, of course, is far from the truth), and Dawn of War only "New Warcraft". Of course, such popularity is among the people and not athole sales automatically gave life to numerous continuations. A year later, the release of the warmth of the ADD-ONA Winter Assault. It was decided not to dwell on the achieved, and already this year the second addition called under the name was born Dark Crusade. What has prepared RELIC this time? But we will figure it out now.

Great seven

Plot Dark Crusade tells of the old feudal lords of all galaxies – necrons. Variation of undead in the surroundings of the universe Warhammer 40000 previously given a kick all the races at once. The invincible necrons were mercilessly burned, killed, exploded, destroyed and simply exterminated everything that came to hand. However, at some point, the legendary killers went somewhere, and no one else saw them. It turns out, while formidable terminators decided to “relax”, life in the universe flowed into a bloody river. Some leaders replaced others, endless wars were waged – inhabitants of the world Warhammer 40000, apparently cannot do otherwise. So everything would have continued until the archaeological expedition flew to the planet inadvertently and did not dug up our sleeping beauties. Awakened and obviously dissatisfied with the layout of current affairs, the necrons took up the old, which the other did not like the other forever warring sides. So, on the planet Kronus in almost equal battle all seven available races came together. The most interesting thing is that each faction pursues some of its own sacred goals. For example, the cosmic infantry exterminates the infidels, simultaneously protecting the wealth of Kronus, and the newcomers of the Tau spill blood -liters for the sake of the “greatest good”.

Handsome Dawn of War everyone was good, only the solitary campaign in the game was alone and tiny. IN Winter Assault The developers were somewhat corrected – now the fight was waiting for us either on the side of the "good" or "bad" (well, this is how to see who is good there). The third time smart heads from RELIC We decided that it was not worth it at all, and finally made a normal single. Rejoice, fan: you can go through the game company with any races. I liked the high -tech Eldars? Or your choice fell on the "dark side" – chaos? Please, there is no prohibition. True, no matter what race the player choose, the goal is one: to squeeze everyone else from the planet. But in one choice of factions, the developers were not limited to. The structure of the company has changed. Global map a la Battle for Middle-Earth gave green light, which we will see in Dark Crusade. The territory of Kronus is divided into 25 parts, on which bloody battles will pass. Movements occur in step -by -step mode, and the battles themselves can be played out by yourself or trust the unconscious computer and turn on the autobos. First, you will have to make raids exclusively on the border territory, however, if you get the space port, then any piece of card can be attacked. Many missions are the standard "Build-West-UNITH". Only locations are of interest, where the goal is to expel enemy leaders from the territory of the planet. There are good scenes on the engine, and the enemy behaves more aggressively, and the cards themselves will be more interesting in terms of design.
The monotony of missions with more than diluted with numerous bonuses. For completing additional tasks like killing a certain crowd of enemy, you will be presented with special glasses, which, just like in RPG, you can buy new things to your hero: a hefty sword, a powerful blaster or special “body kit” for a suit that increase vitality, speed and other characteristics. The second award is veteran detachments. This means that somewhere by the middle of the game you will have powerful infantrymen and even armored vehicles in your asset. This approach leads to insolent tactics. If you try, then in some missions you can crush the enemy alone veterans, the main thing is to act quickly. Each of the enemy, a piece of Cronus, produces a certain amount of money that is spent on the purchase of buildings or additional units before the start of the next mission. So, in the first stages it is not necessary to worry about the protection of the base if you are prudently split into four defensive turrets.

Burn The Heretic, Play the Game

A person in the eye of the Warhammer 40000: Dawn of War It is difficult to imagine how to play at all. And play is pretty simple. Following the canons of the genre, first you need to build a base, and later improve it in every way. Resources in Dark Crusade Only two: energy and glasses. The first is produced by "power plants", but to obtain a sufficient number of points, you need to capture control points and relics. Most of the army are infantry detachments. A group of warriors is subjected to many improvements up to the distribution of weapons and the appointment of the captain. There are also heroes in the arsenal of any race who, sorry, are not able to pump, and a variety of armored vehicles. With impunity, buying a thousands of army is not allowed, you can’t jump above the limit.

It is worthwhile to imagine two arrivals guests. Tau-Rasa Hybrid. In the local army, there are, as well as high -tech troops, more focused on distant distances, as well as the real animals, whose lot of the close fight. Necrons will also interest lovers of everything original. Gray, slow, but extremely dangerous terminators pose an extreme threat if they give them to develop. A local hero can not only restore the dead, but also turn into a terrifying creature of rather big sizes. Necrons have other interesting features. They use only one type of energy, and the capture of control points and relics is carried out exclusively by the forces of workers. It is worth noting that it is difficult to create the perfect balance in RTS in RTS where seven different races are playable from each other, so wait for constant adjustment through patches. One increase in the number of parties to the conflict of Stakhanovtsy from RELIC did not limit themselves – the "old" races expanded somewhat. The space landing acquired very strong warriors of the near -battle – Grey Knights. Orcs, in turn, got good shooters in their ranks. But the adherents of chaos were big lucky. From now on, the lord can transform into a whispering demon. It really was not enough for them of one machine of death?

Probably the only problem of the series Dawn of War and remained unchanged. Yes, powerful special effects, dancing with heroes of combo and a detachment of infantrymen flying away in different directions due to a well -aimed shot from the tank – this is all good and wonderful. But when two huge armies converge on the meager piece of land, it begins such a shit that it is simply impossible to figure out on the screen. The hero is desperately pounding in the distance of the shooters, the dreadnoughts with a crunch break enemy spine, the explosions are heard here and when local giants (like Avatar from the Eldars), then write, disappeared, disappeared. The problem is that what is happening should not look with a bucket of popcorn (although no one forbids), what is happening must be controlled, and it is quite difficult to do it.

By the way, in order to play into the single Dark Crusade it is not necessary to buy the original with the first addon. But here’s what the snag is – in the network game you will only be available to two new races. Want all seven? Forward and with a song, scouring shopping in futile attempts to find Winter Assault And Dawn of War. While the creators F.E.A.R. made the multiplayer of their creation absolutely free and accessible to free download, cunning from RELIC And ThQ, On the contrary, insert sticks into the wheels.

But the graphics did not change on the iot. And the most amazing thing is that even after two years from the date of the release of a non -ennobled motor Dawn of War It looks very good. Of course, after the exit Company of Heroes You will not surprise anyone with such a picture, but the excellent design of units and buildings, as well as excellent animation, one cannot help but notice.

Final comments:

Studio RELIC kept all my promises. Two new fractions? Good single? Yes, all this is available. High quality, old, but still interesting as two years ago. The performance of developers can only marvel at. Not every studio will be able to release two very high -quality projects for the fall, even one of them is an addition.
P.S. After the exit Dark Crusade There were rumors about two more strategic projects in the universe on the network Warhammer 40000. The hope is warm that at least one of them will be something new, and not the next (albeit high-quality) add-on.

Gameplay: familiar to fans action. Detachments, improvements and bloody battles. The difference is only in two new aspects of the conflict.
Graphics: a two -year engine, although it does not look like a clumsy freak, but it’s worth looking for a replacement.
Sound: Relic holds the brand. The voice acting of new units is just great.