In Chaos Rising, you are commander of a force of space marines, who must defend the planets of sub-sector Aurelia from the Eldar (space elves), Orks (space hooligans) and Tyranids (space... er, aliens).

When a missing planet reappears, the Chaos Space Marines (evil space marines with spiky bits) join the fray.

The Warhammer 40,000 setting is comic-book grim; the good guys dress in oversized red armour and spout lines like, “We know no fear for we are fear incarnate!”

The story campaign sends you on missions across the sub-sector.

This real time strategy game gives you control of your commander and three other squads (you can invite a friend on another PC, splitting the four units between you); you look down on the battlefield and tell them where to go, what to attack and when to use their special abilities.

Between missions, you can swap squads and give your squad leaders new equipment and improved abilities.

The campaign’s new twist, Corruption, is underwhelming.

I should have felt like I was selling my squads’ souls when I gave them Chaos-tainted but bonus-laden gear, resurrected them by channelling Chaos or ordered them to attain an evil objective.

I didn’t because most tainted items look like regular ones; the characters themselves don’t act any differently, even when Corruption meters are more than 70 per cent full; and while the story has two paths, the evil path plays like it’s inevitable, not a result of my choices.

The main multiplayer mode is almost a different game.

It’s a race to drain your opponent’s score by holding the majority of three central locations.

Other key locations grant resource points to spend on buying and upgrading squads and vehicles and you can choose  one of the game’s five warring sides (except the Space Marines, which are only available in multiplayer).

It’s fast and furious; individual matches usually take around 20 minutes.

You can play with or against friends and match-made players, and the computer is available as friend or foe for unranked games.

The Last Stand is a fun “got‑your‑back” mode.

You and two other players control a single hero each, facing up to 20 waves of enemies. Surviving earns you points (ranked on a global leader board) and experience, which unlocks new equipment.

A match-making system will always fill vacant spots with players across the internet if your friends aren’t available.
Don’t let the term “expansion pack” fool you.

You don’t need to own the original Dawn of War II to play Chaos Rising.

Buying the $80 bundle of both games gives you Dawn of War II’s story campaign; complete it and your squads’ experience and equipment will carry over to Chaos Rising’s campaign.

Chaos Rising is a worthwhile buy if you’re new to Dawn of War II.

If you already own Dawn of War II, though, the free version 2 patch has already given you the new multiplayer units for the original four sides.

If you want more campaigns or must play the Chaos Space Marines in multiplayer, then Chaos Rising is for you.

>> Warhammer 40,000 - Dawn Of War II - Chaos Rising is out on PC through THQ Studios now.

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