Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Expansion Pack

Released

Release Date: October 9, 2006

Strategy, Science Fiction, RTS, Warhammer 40,000, Games Workshop, Multiplayer, Singleplayer, Internet, LAN

A stand-alone expansion for the strategy game Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War developed by Relic Entertainment. The basic novelty introduced in Dark Crusade expansion are the two new factions. The first one are the humanoid robots known as Necron. They are a faction of undead killing machines. The second new faction is the Tau Empire. They are technologically advanced and have remarkable skills in diplomacy.

9.6

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Plot
Gameplay

Warhammer 40 000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade for PC is the second (after the Winter Assault) expansion for the popular strategy game developed by Relic Entertainment, the creators of the cult game Homeworld. The basic novelty introduced in the Dark Crusade is two new races – Necroni and Tau.

Plot

The first new nation consists of humanoid robots that for 60 millions of years rested in the underground cemeteries of planet Kronus. Now they have awakened and decided to defeat the intruders that appeared on their home planet. Necroni are true killing machines. They murder everything on their path with no emotions while being indestructible since their metal armor is able to automatically regenerate. A direct confrontation with them is one of the greatest challenges in Dark Crusade.

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Tau race is completely different from Necroni. Their appearing on Kronus is caused by ideology. As the youngest side of the conflict Tau surprises with very advanced technology which gives them an edge in ranged combat. Tau units are specialists in diplomacy and are able to convince other races to fight on their side. This makes them one of the greatest military forces in the whole galaxy.

Gameplay

In addition to the above mentioned factions, there are also old friends available in Dark Crusade – Space Marines, Eldars, Chaos forces, Orcs, Imperial Guard. Each of them is interested in the desert planet and wants to eliminate the opponents. The developers decided not to implement a lineal storyline and force the players to complete series of missions. Instead, one can immediately jump to conquering the whole available area. Of course, there are turning points in the campaign which can be observed from seven different perspectives depending on the nation selected. Completing the singleplayer mode takes a few dozen hours.

During that time player focuses on defending his territory and attacking the neighbors. Taking over enemy stronghold equals eliminating him from the game. The gameplay can be divided into phase when one improves his base and produce units and time when one focuses only on battle. Economic aspect is controlled in turn-based system and during the battle Warhammer is played like a typical RTS.

The last novelty introduced in the expansion is character development system. From now on the heroes who led the armies can be enriched with better weapons and abilities bought for special points accumulated during the game.

Platforms:

PC Windows

Developer: Relic Entertainment

Publisher: THQ Inc.

Age restrictions: 16+

Similar Games:

Game Series

5GAMES

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Game Series

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War is a series of real-time strategy (RTS) games set in a dark and brutal world of the far future. The development of the series is handled by the Canadian studio Relic Entertainment, while the role of publisher starting with part three is fulfilled by SEGA (previously handled by THQ).

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Game Series

Base Game for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War

Features

Downloads

Top downloads for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade Video Game:

All Downloads

System Requirements

System Requirements for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade Video Game:

PC / Windows

Recommended System Requirements:
Pentium 4 2.4 GHz, 512 MB RAM, graphic card 64 MB (GeForce 3 Ti200 or better), 2.5 GB HDD, Windows 98 SE/Me/2000/XP.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade Video Game.

96%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (9,227)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Engaging Campaign Structure: The non-linear campaign allows players to conquer territories in a sandbox-style format, enhancing strategic depth and replayability.
Diverse Faction Selection: Introduction of two new factions (Necrons and Tau) adds distinct playstyles, encouraging players to adapt their strategies.
Tactical Gameplay: The core mechanics focus on fast-paced, squad-based combat with an emphasis on unit positioning and resource control, appealing to RTS fans.
Visuals and Atmosphere: The game maintains a dark, gothic aesthetic that faithfully represents the Warhammer 40K universe, with detailed unit designs and immersive environments.
Robust Multiplayer Experience: Offers diverse tactical matchups and competitive gameplay, with balanced faction matchups and various maps.
Nostalgia Factor: Many players have fond memories of the game, often citing it as a classic in the RTS genre.

The main cons of the game

Aging Graphics and UI: While the graphics were impressive for their time, they are considered dated by modern standards, and the UI can feel clunky.
AI Issues: The enemy AI can be aggressive but may also exhibit flaws, such as becoming less effective in prolonged matches or having poor pathfinding.
Learning Curve: Newcomers might find the complexity of unit management and the non-linear campaign challenging.
Game Crashes: Some users reported frequent crashes, particularly on modern systems, causing frustration and loss of progress.
Limited Base Building: The game discourages turtling and emphasizes aggressive play, which may not appeal to players who prefer extensive base-building strategies.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

More Base Building Options: Players expressed a desire for deeper base-building mechanics similar to those in games like Age of Empires.
Additional Factions: Some users wished for the inclusion of more factions, such as Tyranids, to diversify gameplay further.
Improved Pathfinding: Many reviews highlighted the need for better unit pathfinding and AI behaviors to enhance gameplay experience.
Campaign Depth: While the campaign is praised, some players noted a desire for a more dedicated narrative or story-driven campaign compared to previous installments.
Quality of Life Improvements: Suggestions for modernized UI elements and enhancements to overall gameplay flow were mentioned, indicating a need for updates to meet contemporary gaming standards.

Summary

Overall, "Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® - Dark Crusade" is celebrated for its strategic depth, engaging gameplay, and nostalgic value, despite some technical shortcomings and desires for additional content.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025

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