Entertainment · Gaming · 3 hrs ago
Dawn of War 4 previews show promise but differ on how fresh it feels
Dawn of War 4 is a new strategy game set in Warhammer 40,000 and is being developed by King Art Games, with Deep Silver as publisher.
The previews played parts of the game before its release, including campaigns for the Orks and Adeptus Mechanicus, and a preview of the Necron faction.
Its four factions are fighting over the planet Kronus, with each offering different units and ways to play.
The Orks build and deploy forces quickly, while the Adeptus Mechanicus relies more on ranged units and defensive tools.
Reviewers disagree on whether the game feels fresh: one found it enjoyable but too close to the original Dawn of War, while another praised its potential and the variety between factions.
The series has changed its approach in earlier games, including shifting away from traditional base-building in Dawn of War 2 and bringing in hero-focused abilities in Dawn of War 3.
The previews say the game is approachable and offers substantial content, though one noted some technical problems in the version tested.
More of the game remains to be assessed before release, and the previews do not give a release date.
Dawn of War 4 is a real-time strategy game developed by King Art Games and published by Deep Silver.
A preview build gave Polygon access to the prologue and two of the game’s four campaigns.
The game features four factions fighting over the planet Kronus.
Its gameplay combines base-building, resource gathering, unit production and tactical combat.
Reviewers differed on whether the game’s familiar approach is a strength or a missed opportunity.
- Who
- King Art Games developed the game, and Deep Silver is its publisher.
- What
- Dawn of War 4 is a Warhammer 40,000 real-time strategy game.
- When
- The articles were published on October 21, 2026. The game’s release date is not stated.
- Where
- The factions fight over the planet Kronus.
- Why
- The factions are fighting over Kronus for their own self-serving reasons.
Rock Paper Shotgun
Polygon
Familiarity
Rock Paper Shotgun
The game draws heavily on the original Dawn of War, but that makes it feel too familiar and dated.
Polygon
The game delivers a comprehensive Warhammer 40,000 experience and has the potential to be a great RTS.
Approach to earlier games
Rock Paper Shotgun
The series has historically reinvented itself, and this entry takes too few risks.
Polygon
The game retains the series’ core RTS appeal while giving factions distinct ways to play.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Developer
- King Art Games
- Publisher
- Deep Silver
- Setting
- Planet Kronus
- Factions
- Four factions
- Preview access
- Prologue and two of four campaigns in Polygon’s preview build
3 sources
Dawn of War 4 clearly loves the Warhammer 40K strategy games that came before, but it misses that they loved to reinvent themselves
Dawn of War 4 Has the Potential to Be the Best Warhammer 40,000 Game Ever
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 – Detailed Impressions of the Necron and AdMech Factions | IGN Preview
What people are saying
Dawn of War 4 is a competent RTS that immediately feels dated.
Activating Waaagh! (yes, that’s what the mechanic is called) stratagems by filling up its meter and unleashing hordes of units on my opponents is some of the most fun I’ve had in a game this year.