Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic (
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"Reddogfive" <reddogfivenospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7vidnbSE_PHL_4rfRVn-3Q@rogers.com...
> I guess the Warhammer 40k RTS sold OK cuz they are releasing an add on.
Apparently so. I know one of the guys on the Australian production team. THQ
are pleased. It was a hit by the publisher's sales # standard.
>original release a worthwhile time waster?
I've mixed feelings on it. Not a fan of the board game or Warhammer or Lord
of the Rings mythological nonsense, I had few expectations. I am however a
huge RTS fan, which in itself makes improving upon THE standard previously
set a hard, nay seemingly impossible task for anything since Total
Annihilation released nearly 8 years ago!
Think of Warhammer DoW as trying to be 'all things to all Boyz!'. This game
is of pure market research origina to appeal to the widest possible audience
as its target.
As a tactical and strategic RTS it falls way short of the mark in my view,
but it IS beautiful. Lots of eye candy, the camera control and 3D FPS
spectator view of the action with hands on command will really appeal to the
FPS brigade. Micromanagment and pathfinding is a nightmare compared to smart
games like TA. THQ have deliberately kept resource management stupidly
simple for the illogical dumbasses and limited attention span generation,
which has ruined it as a strategic or tactical game of any meaning or depth.
I was given my promo copy gratis (who you know) but I wouldn't buy it full
retail, though that's just because is not really my cup of tea.
Though there is an offical and commendably very well done in game tutorial,
the single campaign only is in reality a training and famil exercise for the
game's real intended audience, online multiplayer. Considerable effort has
gone into the cut scenes and storyline, which however will fall flat if
you've an IQ numerically equivalent of your shoe size or greater and have
evolved beyond not missing Power Rangers as your fav TV show. Patchwise it
has been well supported, and it has a decent fan base and ladder on its web
site. In many ways it has used TA as a developmental role model, but is
inarguably aimed at a stupider, or simpler and more juvenile if you willl,
audience.
Perhaps the most commendable aspect of this game is the magnificently
thematic musical score accompanying it. Whoever made the choice to give that
job to Jeremy Soule deserve a mega accolade. Of course, not since the
hauntingly beautiful and appropriatly thematic score accompanying TA have we
heard an in game composition of this calibre.
My summary. If the Warhammer epoch at all appeals, or you like simple
playing RTS like what C&C has become or Starcraft, are a drop dead gorgeous
eye candy or are an FPS fan not really into RTS, then give it a go.
The Winter Assault add-on will ensure this game's online life cycle extends
for at least another six months.
The story is 
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