Dawn of War is a real time strategy game series for PC and Mac, developed by Relic Entertainment based on the Warhammer 40K table top game. The Dawn of War games were well received by gamers and critics and help introduced the 40k franchise to new fans.
The first Dawn of War was released in 2004 and had four playable factions, Space Marines, Ork (Warhammer)s, Eldar and Chaos Space Marines. In the game's single player campaign, the Blood Ravens 3rd Company led by Captain Gabriel Angelos, head to the planet Tartarus as reinforcements after the planet is invaded by Orks. However, Gabriel learns something is amiss when the Eldar led by Farseer Macha (Warhammer) and the Alpha Legion Chaos Spaces Marines are there on the planet as well.
It's first expansion, Dawn of War - Winter Assault was released in 2005 and introduced the Imperial Guard faction along with new units for the original factions. The game has two campaigns: Order and Disorder. In the game's storyline set on the planet Lorn V, General Sturnn of the 412th Cadian Regiment forms an uneasy alliance with Farseer Taldeer and her Eldar warriors(Order Campaign) against Chaos Lord Crull of the Chaos Space Marines and Warboss Gorgutz of the Orks(Disorder Campaign) as both groups seek the Titan Dominatus, an ancient war-machine of the Imperium, for the their own reasons.
It's second expansion pack, Dawn of War - Dark Crusade, was released in 2006 and introduced the Necrons and the T'Au. Unlike the previous expansion pack, Dark Crusade is a standalone game that does not require prior installation of the earlier Dawn of War games to play the previous factions. Set on the planet Kronus on a Risk (Board Game) style map, the Blood Ravens, Imperial Guard, Orks, Word Bearers, Eldar, T'au and Necrons fight each other to control the planet with Taldeer and Gorgutz returning from the previous game. Introduced in this expansion pack is war gear for hero units and bonuses like free Honor Guards if the player conquers more territory and persistent bases, ensuring the player does not need to rebuild their base if another faction attacks their territory. The game was well received and is considered one of the best expansion packs of 2006.
The third and final expansion pack, Dawn of War -Soulstorm, was released in 2008 and introduces the Sisters of Battle and Dark Eldar. Unlike the previous games, this expansion was developed by Iron Lore Entertainment. In this standalone game, all nine factions try to control the planets of the Kaurava system after a Warp storm traps and prevents them from leaving, leading to an all out war for control. The game received mixed to average reviews due to lack of innovation despite the introduction of aerial units like the removal of persistent bases.
Dawn of War II was released in 2009. Unlike the previous games, the sequel focusses more on Real-Time-Tactics similar to Company Of Heroes where the player controls one of four factions, Space Marines, Orks, Eldar and Tyranid, a select several squads each led by a hero unit, who each have different abilities and skills to use in battle. With no base building, the player can earn reinforcement points to upgrade and replace loses in your squads. Along with multiplayer, the game also adds a new mode called "The Last Stand" where the player selects three different hero units from all factions including those from the expansion packs and DLC as they fight several waves of enemies. In the game's storyline set after the events of Soulstorm, the Blood Ravens have suffered heavy loses after losing the Kaurava Campaign and returned to their home system, Sub-Sector Aurelia, to rebuild. However, after investigating attacks by the Orks which were manipulated by the Eldar, the Blood Ravens learn this was part of their plan due to a splinter Tyranid Hive fleet arriving to Aurelia.