Why you should vote for Relic this March Mayhem round!

[Nouw]

Relic Entertainment, an RTS developer that has produced many fantastic games that made a significant impact on gaming. As their dawn of defeat comes I've decided to make this thread so I can rally as many people to help our cause and to simply know about them! Whether you're bored and looking for a good game to play or wondering who to vote for this thread is here for you.

Spoiler: Information on Dawn of War 1~Dark Crusade

Arguably the most well-known and popular Relic franchise, these games are set in the grim darkness of the far future, the world of Warhammer 40,000. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warhammer_40,000] The table-top game which started in the late 1980's and still growing in the present is famous for it's take on the genre of Science Fiction. In other words, because it's different to an extent and is one of the most craziest and erratic universes. It is a place where the chance of living for a few hours is the chance of winning the lottery. 5 times. In 1 week. Indeed it is a very cruel place but hours have been devoted to making it and changing it. Even more have been spent in playing the game and that's where Dawn of War comes in.

Relic made the first three (1,Winter Assault and Dark Crusade.) however the last was made by Iron Lore Entertainment (now shut down.) It is a real-time strategy game that instead of using singular units has squads. What also is different (from let's say Starcraft) is that resources are gained from capturing points in the map instead of harvesting via worker units. The balancing may not be top-notch but it is undoubtedly one of the most fun times you can have with strategy games. Dark Crusade is often hailed as the best one, whether it be the new races [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tau_(Warhammer_40,000),] or the thousands of mods [http://dawnofwar.filefront.com/files/Dawn_of_War_Dark_Crusade/Mods;8564] it is an amazing game.
Demo Links:
Steam, Dawn of War 2 [http://store.steampowered.com/app/15620/]
Steam, Dawn of War Gold Edition (1 and Winter Assault) [http://store.steampowered.com/app/4570/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1]
Steam, Dawn of War Soul Storm which isn't that bad but I wouldn't recommend it [http://store.steampowered.com/app/9450/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1]
Cnet, Dawn of War Dark Crusade demo [http://download.cnet.com/Warhammer-40-000-Dawn-of-War-Dark-Crusade-demo/3000-7483_4-10579330.html]

Spoiler: Information on Dawn of War 2~Retribution

Admittedly, I'm not as wise in their latest and now concluded (I think) sequel to the original Dawn of War games, however I do know a thing or two. This game is very similar to their other RTS set in WW2, Company of Heroes [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_of_Heroes] as it uses the same engine however things are a bit more 40K and by that even more awesome! It provides an interesting Campaign with RPG elements with customization of items, weapons and an experience system which I loved to no ends. After near-finishing the fun Campaign (long story) I hopped on to Skirmish and was disappointed, I realized that it was very different in style to the original and so I knew that their new line up was not for me. Don't get me wrong however, it is praised as a fantastic game and so are their expansion packs.

Another new addition is the Last Stand mode which is basically a free DLC that lets you control 1 commander, Space Marine [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Marines_(Warhammer_40,000)]/Eldar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eldar_(Warhammer_40,000)]/Ork [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ork_(Warhammer_40,000)] against waves of Tyranids. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyranids] This has only increased the communities love for the dev and the game.
Demo Links:
Steam, Dawn of War 2 [http://store.steampowered.com/app/15620/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1]
Information:
Steam, Chaos Rising. [http://store.steampowered.com/app/20570/]
Steam, Retribution (latest.) [http://store.steampowered.com/app/56400/]

I hope you enjoyed reading it and maybe you'll give them a try. If you feel that I could add some more stuff, simply post it! If you have more knowledge of their other games (which trust me isn't hard) feel free to make your own post similar to mine.

-Nouw
[sub]My first post like this, constructive criticism is more than welcome, negativity for the sake of it however isn't.[/sub]

 

[the_pleasure_is_mine]

I already am... Relic are an amazing developer, I was lucky to pick up a promotional pack of Company of Heroes super cheap that had COH and DOW1 :3 Oh what a grand day that was!

 

[thelonewolf266]

I enjoyed dawn of war but number 2 wasn't that fun for me but company of heroes is one of my favourite RTS ever that's why i'm voting for them.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

I enjoyed dawn of war but number 2 wasn't that fun for me but company of heroes is one of my favourite RTS ever that's why i'm voting for them.

DOW2 is very different. It's more of a real time tactics game than an RTS. The small scale and need for micromanaging units can throw off old DOW players.

 

[GothmogII]

While I do like both the Dawn of War games and Company of Heroes games that Relic worked on, none can take Homeworld's place. Really, it was -the- 3D space RTS. Granted, Homeworld 2 didn't do as well as hoped, but they really should have another go, two great Homeworld games out of three isn't such a bad record. Though, yeah, was Barking Dog that worked on HW: Cataclysm.

 

[repeating integers]

Relic's first game ever, Homeworld is an RTS set in space. It's almost certainly their most innovative title - it was the first (and to date, one of the only) to have the game take place on a 3D sphere rather than a flat 2D plane - and this was done surprisingly intuitively. Wondering whether it was any good? It received universally good reviews and won Game of the Year from IGN, and possibly one other site. On top of that, it still has a very strong (if depressingly small) fanbase across the internet, receiving wide praise for its story, gameplay, graphics and music.

While Barking Dog made the first sequel (Cataclysm), the confusingly named Homeworld 2 was actually made by Relic afterwards. This game was not quite as well received - while the critics liked it nearly as much, it divided the fanbase, and if you talk to a fan there's a high chance he'll say that he liked Homeworld 2 but thought the original was better. That said, it kept the 3D gameplay and the amazing visuals, and was quite a hit - it's just that, as one journalist on this very site pointed out, trying to replicate the awesomness of Homeworld was like trying to catch lightning in a bottle twice.

Homeworld 3... doesn't exist. Yet. But we can all hope...

 

[Frankster]

One thing relic deserves massive props for that isn't talked about that much: the voice acting.

In coh and dow series half the fun (for me) comes from watching the reactive speech (its not just responding to unit commands a la starcraft, they will comment on general situation and shout warcries, etc), really adds to the immersion.

Dow2 voice actors vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etm3Z8E4F18

Example of dow2 voice acting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mZsmjZaQhQ

Example of coh voice acting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWbMISL_93g

 

[Xannieros]

I dunno, they ruined DoW for me with DoW2...
Single-player was fun, but lost all that with multiplayer.
I really hope they return to the DoW game style...

Off-Topic:

Spoiler

I'd probably vote for Bioware, they've kept me happy with each game they've made.
I would have gone with Bethesda, but they failed me at Fallout 3. Didn't care for it all that much.

 

[Scorched_Cascade]

A vote for Relic is a vote against Xenos filth. Valve are degenerate Xeno lovers.

Unfortunately we (yes I'm using we) are up against the behemoth of Valve which appears to be a favourite of this particular forum. It is likely we cannot win

Traitor! On charges of cowardice, you are sentenced to death! To admit defeat is to blaspheme against the Emperor.

[sub]If I was to make a suggestion it would be that you point out who the opponent is to those of us (me basically) whose brains melt and have to check the bracket for reminders. Perhaps you could also do a "why you shouldn't vote for valve" thing (in a non-flame bait way)[/sub]

 

[Carboncrown]

Wait, Relic did Homeworld too?

All right, voting against my bracket then.

 

[Nouw]

One thing relic deserves massive props for that isn't talked about that much: the voice acting.

In coh and dow series half the fun (for me) comes from watching the reactive speech (its not just responding to unit commands a la starcraft, they will comment on general situation and shout warcries, etc), really adds to the immersion.

Dow2 voice actors vid:

Example of dow2 voice acting:

Example of coh voice acting:

Embedded for you!

And yes Relic's games have fantastic voice acting, you should give them a look on Youtube!

Here are some examples

Vote for Relic, not doing so will be an act of extra-heresy.

 

[ChupathingyX]

I love Relic, they turned my favourote sci-fi universe inot a great game series.

For the Emperor!
Blood for the blood god!
WAAAAARRGGHHH!
All Eldar must answer the call.
For every one of us who falls, ten more will take his place.
The banner of Tau flies high!
They cower...we carve.
Thou shalt not. I shall.

Sorry I got carried away.

 

[mrhateful]

Relic vs Valve gg.. Ill vote valve any day simply because I use steam so much.

 

[BENZOOKA]

Nouw, you clever beast. Why didn't I think of an idea to do a similar thread for Firaxis :S

OT: I do like Relic, for Dawn Of War. I've bought it and all of it's expansions. Had great experiences with it. Especially about 5-7 years ago, when playing it in a dorm LAN with friends. And come to think of it, it's the first RTS that I've actually learned to play, making the whole world of RTS's more enjoyable, as I stopped sucking so terribly. Dawn Of War II, on the other hand, is complete garbage for me. Everything great that the previous DoW had going for it, was discontinued. Company Of Heroes has an interesting concept and was one of the first games to implement and show the (overall quite minor, but still) benefits of DirectX 10, but I've never got into it, and completely suck at it. Another thing that bothers me, are the expansions for Dawn Of War(s). Some bullshit in a way, but it's a larger problem with modern gaming, so Relic is definitely not solely the culprit there.

 

[Shock and Awe]

I like those games and all, but they will get my vote for Company of Heroes.

 

[Smooth Operator]

They do good stuff without a doubt, but you can't go up against God Emperor Gabe.

Relic does produce some awesome RTS fun, DoW2 felt way too short and only allowing one special weapon per squad was not cool, but I would love to see them push it forward and improve the formula.

 

[Outcast107]

If relic beat Blizzard two (Or was it three?) years ago, WE CAN DO IT NOW!

GATHER DA BOYZ! GET YA GITZ 'EADY! DA BOYZ R ON DA WAY FOR A WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

 

[Jazzyjazz2323]

Alright ya gitz get ta votin' fer da big boss or you all be gettin' a poundin' ya hear!
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
So yes relic is one of my favorite developers solely because of what they've done for 40k and in my bracket it came down between relic and bethesda...Relic to me is just to good to lose.
BY THE EMPEROR THEY SHALL PERISH!