video game reviews

May 30, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

‘DAWN OF WAR II: CHAOS RISING’

Grade: A

Details: By THQ for PC; rated Mature; $29.99

“Chaos Rising,” the new expansion to “Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II,” builds on the blend of real-time strategy and role-playing elements introduced in the original game.

A year after the defeat of the Tyranid Hive Fleet in “DoW II,” the planet Aurelia — namesake for the home sector of the Blood Ravens chapter of Space Marines, which has been the focus of the “Dawn of War” series — has re-emerged from the chaotic Warp storms that swallowed it up 1,000 years ago.

The Warp is a nasty place full of demons and less-pleasant entities, so there should not be anything left alive on Aurelia. Yet a Blood Raven distress signal is broadcasting from the lost world, now a barren ball of ice and ruined cities.

Players command the same group of hardened Space Marines from “Dawn of War II,” and can even import the equipment and abilities earned in the fight against the Tyranids. Squad leaders can now reach level 30, and each has new abilities in his experience track.

There are other new powers as well — darker powers. The Chaos Space Marines — traitors to humanity and its Emperor — are involved in the reappearance of Aurelia, and their presence can lead even the most stalwart Space Marine astray.

Some mission objectives and actions add to a character’s corruption level, and others lower it. As characters become more corrupted, they gain new abilities that reflect the bloodthirsty nature of Chaos, while a pure character gains the blessing of the Emperor. Some powerful pieces of armor and armament add corruption or require a certain level of it to be used. On the flip side, some pieces of equipment reduce corruption or can be used only by a Space Marine wholly dedicated to the Emperor.

The loyal Space Marines gain a new unit in the powerful Librarian, a psychic sorcerer who can hurl lightning and fire, enhance his fellows’ abilities and perform other powerful feats. The forces of Chaos bring a nasty selection of units to contend with, ranging from a trio of powerful heroes to plague-ridden Space Marines to slobbering demons.

All the factions from the original game gain new units for multiplayer matches, and Chaos adds its corrupted forces to the mix, as well.

“Chaos Rising” is playable even without the original “WoW II,” though players who go online for a skirmish are limited to the forces of Chaos without it.

Likewise, the Last Stand survival mode offers only the new Chaos and Tyranid heroes unless “DoW II” is installed.

—Justin Hoeger, The Sacramento Bee