The strategy in the Warhammer 40,000 universe is back on display with a trailer that makes its intentions clear: return to the basics of classic RTS (see our video game genre guide) without sacrificing visual spectacle. Deep Silver and KING Art Games have revealed the first gameplay footage of Dawn of War IV, a straightforward and unassuming introduction.
The video, dubbed Back to War, confirms the return to Kronus, a setting steeped in history for saga veterans. It also hints at the scale of the battles, the variety of environments, and a design philosophy that seeks to resonate with the more purist community.
Trailer and presentation
The first in-engine gameplay was aired during the PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct held in conjunction with the Tokyo Game Show, after the project was unveiled at Gamescom's Opening Night LiveThe piece focuses on teaching pacing, factions, and key mechanics without leaving the game engine.
Beyond the montage, the trailer leaves a clear message: The saga returns to the front line with large-scale combat, cinematic shots, and a clear understanding of the battlefield. It's a statement of intent designed for those who were asking for a Dawn of War that more closely resembled its origins.
Setting, factions and units
The action takes us to Kronus, many years after the events of Dark CrusadeThere, the Space Marines—with the Blood Ravens at the forefront—fight against hordes of Orks, backed by detachments of the Adeptus Mechanicus, until an ancient force appears to upset everything: the Necrons.
The footage offers hints for the most attentive followers: Bladeguard Veterans, Invictor Tactical Warsuit, and Primaris Gear among the Astartes iconography, as well as updated armament and helmets that suggest more variety within the Marines' army lists.
They are also appreciated highly differentiated biomes —from devastated lands to industrial complexes—and a warlike tone reminiscent of classic campaigns. All of this is achieved through a staging that alternates between panoramic views of the lines and ground-level details to underscore the chaos of the front.
Campaigns, modes and multiplayer
Dawn of War IV will bet on four playable factions at launch (Space Marines, Orks, Adeptus Mechanicus, and Necrons), each with its own campaign, branching story choices, and over 70 missions in total. There will be dedicated cinematics and in-engine cutscenes, with a narrative co-written by John French (Black Library).
In terms of gameplay, the modes that fans identify with the series return: Configurable skirmish, multiplayer 1v1/2v2/3v3 and the legendary Final Battle/Last Stand in co-op. You'll be able to customize your army with the painting tool and schemes inspired by the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Combat Mechanics and Direction
One of the headlines of the trailer is the return of base building, a pillar that fans have long been demanding. Territorial management and control of key points are once again essential, with a clear emphasis on medium- and long-term strategic decisions.
The so-called Combat Director and synchronized hand-to-hand combat executions They provide that cinematic touch to clashes between infantry, vehicles, and war machines. The intention is for each attack to be understood at a glance without losing the tactical understanding.
The community has already started to leave their impressions after the trailer: Some players are asking to recover the metallic “vox” bell. for the Space Marine voices and to give more punch to the Necron audio, while also appreciating the shift towards a more classic RTS.
Date, platforms and who is behind it
Deep Silver will publish the game—with PLAION as its parent label—and KING Art Games is developing it. The release is planned for PC via Steam in 2026., with the option to add it to your wishlist now. The license belongs to Games Workshop.
KING Art, a studio based in Germany with more than two decades of experience, accumulates experience in narrative, RPG and strategyThe ambition here is to unite that experience with a detailed recreation of the 40K universe and a content scale that aspires to be the largest in the series.
With the return to Kronus, the recovery of base building and four factions with their own campaigns, Dawn of War IV aims to reconcile tradition and ambition: massive battles, customization tools, and a classic-style multiplayer that, if successful, could return the franchise to the forefront of the genre.
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