The latest addition to the multiplayer list of games is the Warhammer- Dawn of War II. This strategy type game has better than perfect graphics. But it may not be the ultimate game of the year, but it certainly brightens any gamers’ mood with its excellent graphics and sound effects. The characters are all the same from the previous version with a bit of downsizing on the options side for single player’s version and a few stuck ups for the online gaming.

Gaming Engine

Thanks to THQ for using game developers like the Relic who made this game so perfect with its Proprietary Essence Engine 2.0 which actually delivers cinematic visuals, detailed graphics and special effects. The image details and movements are far better than any other existing game available with perfect motion throughout the game with any glitches.

The Multiplayer Platform

The game platform continues to be STEAM’s multilayer platform Beta version, which gives all the players perfect real time coordination and there are no connection issues in the beta version. This enables you and your friends to play both on the internet and through local area networking.

The shortfalls

For most of the admirers of the previous version of this game, the latest version was somewhat a little disappointing as the single player version offers a few lesser game options like the transports are missing or there aren't any super units to build like the Ork Squiggoth or Eldar Avatar which were available in the previous version of the game.

The single player does have a few problems when played online as in all the campaigns there an error which restricts the gamer from exceeding his population beyond a certain limit. This is being fixed by the Windows live gaming team through a patch which is already available. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, then you are behind others and probably facing defeat at their hands.

The other issue is the inability to save a game before completing a mission. This absence of feature bothers a lot of players as they are unable to correct their mistakes by going back at the last saved point and moving further again. Therefore whatever is once done cannot be undone.

The other major problem which most of the users face is the game controls. As in the PC version the players are unable to see the mouse pointer and thereby make mistakes while selecting units.

In the Nutshell

To sum it all up the game is far superior in its gaming engine and graphics quality, but lacks in many other technical aspects as graphics are not the only issues in a game which makes it likeable. Those who have not played the earlier version will find it awesome, but for those who have, will find it a bit disappointing as many options have been reduced in the single player version.

If I have to grade this game, it gets an A+ in its graphics and animations but a thumbs down for being a downgraded sequel. 

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