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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV has just got a cinematic story trailer showcasing the besieged planet Kronus and revealing the Dark Angels Space Marine chapter as the second faction joining the Blood Ravens' desperate defence. The footage features both in-engine gameplay and CGI cutscenes, and I have to say it succeeds in delivering a proper grimdark atmosphere alongside massive battlefield scale.
Two Space Marine chapters, one desperate war
For the first time in Dawn of War history, players command two distinct Space Marine chapters throughout the campaign. Blood Ravens under Captain Cyrus and Chief Librarian Jonah Orion arrive at Kronus to find Ork Warboss Gorgutz already invading. After intense orbital combat, both factions crash planetside, where the second Ork commander Guzcutta awaits alongside awakening Necron tombs and Mechanicus Technoarcheologist Potentia Delta-9 searching for lost knowledge.
The Dark Angels emerge as fully playable across all game modes, not just campaign appearances. Players undertake missions commanding either Blood Ravens or Dark Angels, choosing which chapter handles specific objectives. Company Master Astoran and Chaplain Ezrael serve as Dark Angels commanders, bringing distinct tactical approaches compared to Blood Ravens' methodology.
Precision strikes versus overwhelming force
While both chapters share core Space Marine strategies, wargear, and weaponry, their battlefield philosophies diverge significantly. Blood Ravens favour tactical finesse and occasional stealth for smaller engagements. Dark Angels deploy maximum force to the biggest battlefields - precision strikes versus all-out war, essentially.
The campaign's climax promises something Dawn of War has never delivered: a playable Primarch. Lion El'Jonson himself descends onto Kronus for the finale, giving players direct control of legendary Space Marine might in what Deep Silver describes as an "unforgettable" conclusion.
Kronus under siege
The trailer's narration sets appropriately grim stakes: "The galaxy lies shattered...The Blood Ravens stand alone...We fight. We bleed. We die." Kronus faces simultaneous threats from Ork warlords, Mechanicus knowledge-seekers, and awakening Necron horrors. Something buried deep beneath the planet's surface - "lost for aeons and never meant to return" - adds mysterious stakes beyond simple factional warfare.
The cinematography is truly impressive, delivering epic warfare scale with dramatic lighting and battlefield chaos that captures Warhammer 40K's signature over-the-top aesthetic. Whether gameplay matches that cinematic ambition remains uncertain until proper demonstrations arrive.
Last but not least, PC Gamer recognised Dawn of War IV as one of 2026's Most Wanted titles on their show last night.
The release date for Dawn of War IV remains unannounced. The game launches on unspecified platforms with co-writing from Black Library author John French handling campaign narrative.
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