Video Games Review

Dawn Of War 2: Retribution

August 4th, 2011 - No Comments

There is much to like about Retribution, a standalone expansion of the popular Warhammer 40,000 Dawn Of War 2(DoW2).

Think powerful heroes, interesting units and abilities and addictive point-and-click fun.

Gameplay is fast and tactical, involving the use of different units to capture and guard structures that generate Power, Requisition and Population – three attributes needed to produce troops and revive fallen heroes. The multitude of units, factions and maps also offer great variety of gameplay.

There are six playable factions: regular Marines, Chaos Marines, Orks, Eldars, Imperial Guards and Tyranids. Although some missions are similar across the factions, the campaigns are generally well developed and a blast to play. But be warned that some factions are more poorly developed than others. For example, the Imperial Guards lack oomph in their destructive abilities compared to other factions.

For Warhammer fans, Retribution will be a real treat as you can play factions which were not playable in previous instalments – such as Orks which were particularly amusing with their crude English and heavy Jamaican accent.

The interesting and varied troops range from tanks to jet-packed infantry to armoured mechanical robots. The Hero units, with their unique abilities, equipment capabilities and ability to develop skills when they level up, make this more of a tactical action role-playing game than a strategy one.

At the end of each mission, you can level up your Heroes and select equipment such as weapons, armour and accessories to boost their statistics.

Maps are intricately designed, with stairs to climb, barriers to crash through and buildings to garrison. There are also structures which your troops can use to take cover.

The graphics and visual effects are magnificent. I love its isometric view that can withstand close scrutiny, in which you can zoom up close to lap up the reflections in the river, or – if you love the gory stuff – blood spraying from your fallen foes.

Apart from the single player campaign, you can play in The Last Stand mode with two other players to overcome relentless waves of enemies. You can also play the multiplayer game mode, in which you race to capture Power, Requisition and Population points on the map. Retribution offers great value for money and plenty of online (and offline) fun, whether you are a Warhammer fan or just looking for some gratifying point-and-click destruction.

Download Now: Dawn Of War 2: Retribution [Game Download]