Do I need the previous Dawn of War games to play Soulstorm?

Yes, Soulstorm is a standalone expansion but requires ownership of the original Dawn of War to access all nine factions in multiplayer and skirmish. For the campaign, it can be played independently.

Are there any new unit types in Soulstorm?

Absolutely! Soulstorm introduces a significant focus on air units, with each faction gaining dedicated aircraft for combat and support roles.

Is the meta-map campaign fun?

The meta-map campaign offers excellent replayability and strategic depth, allowing you to conquer planets in a non-linear fashion and gain unique bonuses for your chosen faction.

Are there active multiplayer communities for Soulstorm?

Despite its age, Soulstorm still retains a dedicated and active community, especially through various online platforms and modding groups. You'll likely find opponents for online skirmishes.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Soulstorm

In short: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Soulstorm is a strategy game released in 2008 by Petroglyph Games, available on PC. Our score: 7.5/10 (worth buying, especially on sale).

An expansion for the classic real-time strategy game, adding new factions, units, and a campaign. It expands upon the established gameplay with new strategic options.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Soulstorm is the third and final expansion pack for the critically acclaimed real-time strategy game Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. Developed by Iron Lore Entertainment and published by THQ in 2008, Soulstorm introduces two new playable races, the Dark Eldar and the Sisters of Battle, bringing the total number of factions to an impressive nine. This expansion significantly broadens the strategic possibilities, allowing players to delve into new playstyles and unit compositions. The core gameplay loop remains true to the Dawn of War series, focusing on base building, resource management (requisition and power), and tactical combat. Soulstorm, however, places a greater emphasis on air units, introducing dedicated aerial combat and support options for all factions. The meta-map campaign introduced in Dark Crusade returns, offering a non-linear conquest experience across multiple planets in the Kaurava system. Each province on the planets provides unique bonuses and challenges, encouraging diverse strategies for domination. Graphically, Soulstorm maintains the gothic, grimdark aesthetic of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. While it reuses many assets from previous installments, the new units and environments are well-designed and fit seamlessly into the established art style. The sound design continues to be a highlight, with satisfying weapon effects, impactful voice acting for each faction, and a fitting orchestral soundtrack that amplifies the epi…

Game details

Developer: Petroglyph Games
Publisher: Relic Entertainment
Release year: 2008
Platforms: PC
Category: strategy

Our review

Soulstorm is a solid expansion that broadens the scope of Dawn of War with two engaging new factions and an expanded meta-map campaign. While it doesn't revolutionize the core gameplay, the new units and strategic options provide fresh challenges. The graphics, although dated, maintain the grimdark atmosphere, and the sound design remains excellent. Installation can be a bit of a hurdle, but the overall package offers substantial content for strategy enthusiasts.

Pros

Two exciting new factions (Dark Eldar, Sisters of Battle)
Expanded meta-map campaign
Introduction of air units and combat
Solid strategic depth
Great sound design

Cons

Aging graphics
Installation can be complex
Some minor balance issues
Relies heavily on previous titles for full experience

FAQ

Do I need the previous Dawn of War games to play Soulstorm?: Yes, Soulstorm is a standalone expansion but requires ownership of the original Dawn of War to access all nine factions in multiplayer and skirmish. For the campaign, it can be played independently.
Are there any new unit types in Soulstorm?: Absolutely! Soulstorm introduces a significant focus on air units, with each faction gaining dedicated aircraft for combat and support roles.
Is the meta-map campaign fun?: The meta-map campaign offers excellent replayability and strategic depth, allowing you to conquer planets in a non-linear fashion and gain unique bonuses for your chosen faction.
Are there active multiplayer communities for Soulstorm?: Despite its age, Soulstorm still retains a dedicated and active community, especially through various online platforms and modding groups. You'll likely find opponents for online skirmishes.

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Last updated: 04/04/2026