Publisher: THQ
Developer: Relic
System requirements: Windows XP/Vista, Pentium 4 3.2 GHz single core or any dual core CPU, 128 MB video card with Pixel Shader 3.0, 1GB RAM (1.5GB for Vista), 6.5 GB hard-drive space, Internet connection
Genre: RTS
Release date: Available now

After defeating the invading Tyranids at the end of the Dawn of War II campaign, the Blood Ravens chapter of the Space Marines spent weeks in drunken debauchery. Or maybe that’s what I would do. They, on the other hand, being genetically enhanced and mechanically augmented protectors of humanity, didn’t do anything of the sort. Instead they discovered a heresy and fought it throughout the Chaos Rising campaign in a most grim and determined way. That is because “grim and determined” is the way Space Marines do everything.

Chaos Rising is an expansion pack, and to play it you need to own the original Dawn of War II. The new campaign features the Blood Ravens duking it our with Chaos Space Marines, Orks, Eldar, and an occasional Tyranid in 15 missions. There’s new winter terrain, which is also used in multiplayer. The level cap is increased to 30, and a host of new weapons, items and armor is available. Some of these items corrupt your squads, giving them Chaos abilities, while others redeem them to their normal selves. Of course the corrupting armaments are more powerful, but if you want to remain human you’ll have to avoid them. Multiplayer-wise, there is a new faction (Chaos Space Marines), new units for all of the existing factions, and two new heroes for the Last Stand mode, namely the Chaos Sorcerer and the Tyranid Hive Tyrant.

The gameplay is effectively the same. You level up your squads, outfit them with gear, select four at a time to go on a mission, and use their special abilities to gain tactical advantage over your enemies. Sometimes a certain squad leader requests to come on a particular mission, and if you don’t take him he’ll become slightly corrupted. Depending on whether you want to corrupt him, you either accommodate his desire or refuse. Of course, it goes without saying that the whole thing takes place in the delightfully absurd Warhammer 40,000 universe.

So far as graphics, gameplay and sound effects go, Chaos Rising is in no way different from Dawn of War II, which is only natural. The corruption mechanic does allow for some tactical variety, but in the long run it’s still the same game. The story is all new, however, and although it falls well within the confines of the generic Warhammer 40,000 lore, it’s still pretty pleasant. The old characters remain with you, and a number of new ones are introduced. Voice acting is very appropriate, and the game does an excellent job of creating a proper atmosphere.

There are problems as well. Just as with the original game, Steam is required, even if you bought a boxed version in a brick-and-mortar store. Games for Windows Live is also required, which is infuriating. I had to install it and login to play the multiplayer, and I was unable to find a way to play the campaign without having to log in. Of course, once that useless bloatware is installed, it forces a number of updates for you without as much as pretending to require your consent. This is inappropriate to the point of being outright offensive, and is no different from the now infamous DRM of Ubisoft.

Chaos Rising is a very enjoyable game. It will appeal to those who enjoy real-time strategy games, particularly ones made by Relic. It will also appeal to Warhammer 40,000 fans. Those of us, however, who object to DRM will find it intolerable for that reason. With an equal mix of good and bad, I am torn on how to rate this game. Sans the DRM it would be a 4. Without the fun it would be a 2. I guess this places it smack in the middle of our grading scale.

Our Score:
Our Recommendation: