The Grimdark RTS Title is Back
As more Warhammer games have broken into the mainstream, one title has been conspicuously absent. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War was arguably the first big gaming franchise based on the tabletop wargame. Released in 2004, it quickly built up a passionate fanbase. The game would receive three expansions, and a 2008 squad-focused sequel with its own set of DLC. But in 2017, Dawn of War III launched to little enthusiasm. With only three factions at launch and gameplay torn between traditional RTS mechanics and herohammer, the game quickly lost its luster for Warhammer and RTS enthusiasts.
But now, eight years later, Games Workshop has returned to the series that started it all. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV was announced during the Gamescom opening night live, with the Steam page going up shortly thereafter. The game is under development by KING Art, known for Iron Harvest, and being published by Deep Silver.
Return to Kronus
The trailer kicks off with Space Marines of the Blood Ravens chapter battling two of 40K’s alien races: the brutish Orks and the mechanical Necrons. Kronus, the planet from Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, will serve as the backdrop for the game. Canonically Kronus was conquered by the Blood Ravens in the 2006 expansion, but it the Necrons have returned in force. Unlike Dark Crusade, many of the warriors and weapons seen in the game are drawn from newer units introduced to the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop game, such as Primaris Space Marines and Necron Chronomancers.
But even with newer forces on the battlefield, long-time fans will have recognized some familiar faces. Narrating the trailer is legendary voice actor Steve Blum, reprising his role as Cyrus from Dawn of War II. Cyrus seems to have gotten a promotion in the trailer, decked out in the armor of a Phobos Captain. Other characters like Chief Librarian Jonah Orion, and Ork Warboss Gorgutz ‘Ead ‘Unter also make an appearance. If Games Workshop is trying to win back jaded players with fanservice, it’s working for this fan at least.
Back to RTS Basics
Across Dawn of War II and III, the gameplay began to drift away from pure RTS mechanics. II was focused on squad-based combat, while III was a jumbled mix of gameplay ideas that failed to satisfy. IV promises to return to the Dawn of War’s roots, focusing on higher-level RTS strategy. Indeed, the gameplay clips in the trailer show mass battles of armies, more akin to the original Dawn of War.
One thing new to the series is the inclusion of the Adeptus Mechanicus. While ostensibly on humanity’s side, the Tech-priests of Mars often have their own clandestine agendas. They could very well come to blows with the Blood Ravens in pursuit of xenos technology. However the story plays out, they will be one of the four factions available to play at launch, along with the Space Marines, Orks, and Necrons.
The game will launch with 70+ missions playable in solo or co-op. The campaign promises to be the biggest yet, with fully animated cutscenes and a story written by Black Library author John French. There will also be a skirmish multiplayer mode in 1v1, 2v2, or 3v3. The Last Stand mode from Dawn of War II is also returning, where players choose individual commanders to face off against endless hordes of enemies.
Dawn of War III left a sour taste for fans, but many hope that IV is the return to form the franchise needs. Will it deliver? We’ll find out sometime in 2026. For more news, be sure to check out our Other Games section.
