Opinions on DOW2

[Xiorell]

Dawn Of War 2 - Gold.

Now it's on steam at 20quid. I've been temped by it in the past but the last few times I've tried RTS games we've really not gotten along so well. So I am bit hesitant to piss 20quid up the wall when I could spend it on something with a more sure fire chance of me liking.
Having said that an RTS, with a cool theme (to me), would be a refreshing change from my recent gaming trends.

I've had a look over several reviews and they all say "it's good" in one way or another but I thought I'd get the opinion of some actual propper people who've played it rather than that of some dude writing an article.

The last RTS I thought was good (I didn't however get that far into it) was "Sins Of A Solar Empire". Is DoW2 gonna offer me anything vastly different? Am I just gonna end up with "same shit differnt skin" as in, does exactley the same as any other RTS just with Orcs?

Help pweeze thank you much.

 

[veloper]

it's like COH, only it's not WW2.

It's nothing like typical RTSes.

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

DoW 2 is about as different as it can get from Sins of a Solar Empire.
If you like the look of DoW 2, but enjoyed the gameplay of SoaSE, and haven't yet tried the original Dawn of War games, I'd recommend those.
I enjoyed the original ones far more than DoW 2, and it allows far more customisation.

Spoiler: Example

Spoiler: My DoW army

Spoiler: A DoW 2 screenshot

As you can see, the graphics for the second game may be superior, but they threw army customisation, and armies, out of the window. Well, except for the enemy. They get armies, you get four squads in a mission, max. And individual squads can be somewhat customised (Mainly the squad leaders).

 

[WrongSprite]

I hated the fricking thing. It took everything I loved about DoW 1, the scale, the base building, and the vehicles/variety, and removed them, leaving a small tactical shooter.

Get the original Dawn of War anthology, it's a blast.

 

[Timmey]

I hated the fricking thing. It took everything I loved about DoW 1, the scale, the base building, and the vehicles/variety, and removed them, leaving a small tactical shooter.

Get the original Dawn of War anthology, it's a blast.

Yeah the second one is an ok game, maybe worth it for 20 quid but the original ones were far better

 

[Keava]

DoW 2 is small scale quasi-tactical RTS. You have your hero, you have small squads, no base building and territory control. More focus on actual faster action and on keeping your squads alive at all cost rather than sending them en masse for certain death.
While many of DoW1 players complain about lack of the stricte RTS elements, i found it quite nice for multiplayer matches and co-op gameplay (even the single player campaign has co-op option).

Its much closer to the COH approach to the genre, which i think is refreshing after years of Dune2 clones (c&c, warcraft, starcraft, etc.).

 

[Xiorell]

No base building?? I can't build a mega fortress?

On the other hand does than mean I don't have to mess about gathering poxy resources all day??
From those few comments it'd starting to sound a bit more Halo Wars to me. Which I wouldn't say is strictly a bad thing.

So if I want base building etc get the originals?
If I wanna blow shit up with cool looking dudes, get the second?

 

[Xiorell]

OK guys that's actually been more help than just about every review I've seen.
GreyFox summed it up... dow2, no armies? Fuck that. I wanna build shit loads of units and such.

 

[Sonicron]

The crux of the matter is the fact that Dow2 is NOT an RTS. It's an RTT (real time tactics).
There is no base-building, no unit mass production and no mindless storming of enemy strongholds (though I don't dislike that approach either, after all DoW1 was a great game). Instead you have a CoH-like experience in regards to controls, taking control of a small squad of powerful warriors that - if used properly - can reduce anything to rubble, but will have you yelling in frustration if just one of them dies. You have to give thought to the optimal tactical positioning of all squad members and the efficient use of their individual abilities in a firefight, or the enemy will most likely turn you into ceramite bacofoil rather quickly. It's more about micromanaging than typical RTS experiences, that's for sure.
So, if this tickles your fancy, check it out; if you prefer WC3 playstyle (which is also very enjoyable), then I'd recommend you stay away from it.
Oh, one more thing: This game won an award for best sound in a game, and rightly so. If you have a decent sound system you will be blown away.

 

[GloatingSwine]

As you can see, the graphics for the second game may be superior, but they threw army customisation, and armies, out of the window. Well, except for the enemy. They get armies, you get four squads in a mission, max. And individual squads can be somewhat customised (Mainly the squad leaders).[/spoiler]

Army customisation is still present in multiplayer, there's far less waiting around in this game, and more shooting the crap out of traitors, heretics, xenos, and fools. (The first time you unleash a dreadnought's assault cannon barrage into a pack of squishy infantry you'll know carnage).

 

[laggyteabag]

Campaign = Good
Skirmish = Not as good as the original DoW

 

[tomvw]

I really enjoyed DoWII, although I'm more of a "Last Stand" kinda player, I really like the co-op aspects of the game, more than the competitive multiplayer. I guess that's up to taste though.

 

[AlphaOmega]

Its a great game, especially with the xpac.
Just dont expect base building and the RTS feeling DoW1 had.

 

[Xiorell]

Oh FFS what a dumb fuck.
Just realised... DEMOS AVAILABLE FOR BOTH 1 + 2 !!!!!!!!

Yeh that might have given me an indication as to me liking it or not.
There's a reason I don't want kids.