When it comes down to it you simply have to commend Relic for trying new things with every new strategy game they release. From the intense trench and vehicle-based warfare of Company of Heroes to the more heroic effects-driven abilities found in Dawn of War II. And now Dawn of War III's multiplayer looks to take things into the realm of the MOBA. But, not in a bad way.

Okay, so the MOBA comparison is one that comes from victory conditions that include destroying your opponents core and being able to customise elite units with different abilities based on your preferred play-style. A framework that doesn't change the core RTS gameplay, which looks very much like a cross between the action of Dawn of War II mixed with the massive armies of StarCraft.

Yeah, we can dig it.



As you can see in the additional narrated multiplayer demo below, the map design looks to be very structured with teams on opposite ends and multiple paths to reach your enemy.



An Open Beta is coming later this month, ahead of the game's launch on April 27.

Relic's upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III is getting an Open Beta later this month running from April 22 to 25. Players will get access to all three playable factions in the game -- the Space Marines, Eldar, and Orks -- and get to battle it out in multiplayer. Each race will also come with elite heroes, further opening up the strategic possibilities. Now, with the game being released on April 27 this is more demo than beta.

Even so, we'll take it. Sign-ups for the beta are open now. As fans of the series we can't wait to get our hands on this as it looks very much like a blend of the original Dawn of War with a action-RPG styling of Dawn of War II.



Yep, tasty.

It has been a long time between drinks for Dawn of War fans. While Games Workshop seems gung-ho about shifting the Warhammer and Warhammer 40K licences around to as many game studios as possible, Relic's brilliant Real Time Tactical game has been treading water since 2011--half a decade.

I leapt at the opportunity to play the game again while at Gamescom, which you can watch embedded below, or click through here for a combination of the video and a written transcript of what I played.