When I first met my partner, one of the first things he told me was how much he liked Warhammer 40,000. I had no interest in playing the Games Workshop tabletop, but he tried to get me into the franchise, especially after they announced that Henry Cavill is working on a Prime Video series. One day, he told me that his love for Warhammer 40,000 stems from Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. It was through this game that he got into the tabletop, and he suggested I should try to play it sometime. With the release of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition, will this remake of the 2004 video game allow me to understand what the hype is about? Or will I just be turned off by it once more?

Upon first impressions, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition looks old. The graphics feel outdated, but there were some slight tweaks to give it minor improvements. My partner, who had to watch me play the first time, noticed these minor improvements, like updated models with shinier armour and better texture work.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition has been updated with modern tech in mind since it was first released over two decades ago. It supports widescreen by separating the UI, and it moves the map away from the command bar to free up more screen space. However, wide screens make it harder to move the mouse compared to 2004 monitors. The lack of WASD controls adds to the difficulty as you have to use the arrow keys to move around, which makes it feel like a clunkier version of The Sims. It also doesn’t help that the voice acting doesn’t sync with the character’s mouths, which is a bit distracting, especially when you’re interested in the story.

Overall, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition looks like an outdated build with a shinier coat of paint. But just because the art style is very retro-looking, it shouldn’t stop you from playing the game.

The main campaign in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition tells a dark story about the Blood Ravens’ Space Marines entering Tartarus and facing the Orks, who secretly ally with the Chaos Space Marines. The expansions send you to different maps with new landscapes and stories, but the gameplay stays mostly the same with a few changes. Once you know the basics, it feels like a breeze if you know what you’re doing.

Getting through the campaigns takes patience, especially on your first run, but the game gradually teaches new mechanics as you progress. This approach works well since the franchise isn’t just pulling in returning fans; it’s there for the new players who are also just tuning in as the franchise slowly makes it to the mainstream. You’ll fight across cities, jungles, and wastelands, each demanding different strategies to survive. Sometimes you’ll need multiple bases, but if you’re skilled enough, you can manage with just one outside the starting area. Unlike earlier instalments, the Definitive Edition adds shortcuts on the command bar, letting players make instant selections. I found this especially useful during large battles when I needed to replenish my troops quickly.

Even though the audio sounds pretty good, the music sometimes cuts out, leaving only SFX and your troops’ catchphrases. This silence makes the world feel empty until the war music kicks back in. While my partner claimed the gameplay has improved, we both agreed it’s an issue when our soldiers stand idle in the middle of a battle instead of attacking the enemy. I’m surprised that the problem existed back in the day. Fortunately, the expansions make these issues far less common.

My partner has been finding ways to get me into Warhammer 40,000. He suggested I read the books, watch the Amazon series, and try a few games just to see why the franchise means so much to him. After playing Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition, I’m starting to see what the hype is about and why this was seen as one of the best video games in the franchise, even with its flaws. While I don’t feel the urge to buy figures or roll dice, I can see why this game matters so much to him and to other fans alike.