《戰鎚：破曉之戰 4》由德國KING Art Games開發，Deep Silver發行，預定於2026年推出，是《Dawn of War》系列睽違多年的正統續作。與由Relic Entertainment 打造的前作不同，這一代在開發團隊更換後，反而展現出回歸系列最初精神的企圖：以大規模戰場、厚重敘事與派系差異化為核心，重新塑造《Warhammer 40,000》宇宙中血火交織的殘酷戰爭。

本作最大的亮點之一，是在系列中首次加入機械修會（Adeptus Mechanicus）成為可操作派系，能指揮這支充滿宗教狂熱與齒輪崇拜精神的機械軍團，在鋼鐵與符文編織的科技巫術中投入戰場。

故事由Black Library的知名作家John French編寫，延續《Dark Crusade》事件後兩百年。克洛努斯（Kronus）這顆曾經染滿戰火的星球，再次被多方勢力虎視眈眈；星際戰士派系的老兵Cyrus與靈能者Jonah回到這顆傷痕累累的世界，試圖重建他們的戰團，但在這片大地上，古老的死靈族力量正在甦醒，獸人部落也因某股神秘信號重新集結，而機械修會則因考古與禁忌科技的脈動而蜂擁至此。

能在四大派系間切換視角，見證這場戰爭如何因不同陣營的野心、信仰與命運而推向全面失控。更特別的是，部分戰役會在關鍵時刻要求玩家作出抉擇，這些選擇會讓後續任務變化，形成多周目推進才會看到的劇情差異，使這代的戰役敘事比以往更具分支與重玩性。

採用傳統的自上而下即時戰略視角，並以系列初代的經典玩法為基礎，全面強化戰鬥、裝備與指揮系統。需建造基地、奪取補給點、運用資源招募部隊、升級研究，同時指揮步兵、載具與英雄級指揮官在戰場上作戰。行軍、射擊與掩體機制都比前三代更精緻。掩體能有效降低傷害，而擴充的同步擊殺（Sync Kill）系統則讓近戰充滿重量感，機械修會的機械內殘酷拆解敵軍、星際戰士以動作流暢的戰錘重擊死靈族的金屬骨架，都以高度動畫呈現。此外，作戰資源能用來施放強大神器級的「戰略技能」：例如星際戰士可呼叫軌道轟炸，獸人可用喧鬧得要命的Waaagh! 力量提升整支部隊的狂暴度，死靈族能部署傳送能量，或讓軍隊從地底復甦。本作特別加入「戰鬥導演（Combat Director）」系統，它是對同步擊殺的全面進化，能智慧調整戰場鏡頭與特寫效果，使戰鬥更具勇猛美學又不干擾操作。

具備超過七十個戰役任務，是整個系列史上規模最大的一次。每個派系都有專屬任務線，並支援單人或雙人合作遊玩。遊戲還包括永遠受玩家喜愛的 背水一戰（Last Stand） 模式，讓玩家在逐波進攻的絕境中盡力求生；同時提供對戰AI的小規模衝突（Skirmish）與全球玩家競技的多人模式，包含1v1、2v2 與 3v3。為了加強玩家的收藏與客製化玩法，特別加入強化版的塗裝編輯器（Painter），能自由調整派系顏色、標誌與細節，打造獨一無二的戰團。

自公布後迅速成為RTS與Warhammer社群的焦點。由於《Dawn of War III》曾因玩法過度混合MOBA元素而備受批評，玩家普遍期待本作能回到系列初代的大規模戰鬥與軍團調度。而KING Art Games擅長的重裝機甲與蒸氣龐克式演出（源自《Iron Harvest》經驗），也使其被認為非常契合Warhammer 40K世界觀。

許多Warhammer社群評論認為本作的方向更忠於系列傳統，尤其是多派系戰役、豐富的單位深度與再加強的戰場破壞感，象徵這是一部「正統 RTS 精神」回歸的作品。外媒普遍看好本作，認為《Dawn of War IV》有潛力成為2020年代最重要的科幻RTS之一。特別是機械修會首次登場，更讓這一代成為許多粉絲必玩的作品。

《戰鎚：破曉之戰 4》是將系列根源與現代設計融合的野心之作。以更宏大的敘事、更逼真的戰鬥動畫、更厚實的派系差異，以及近乎無止盡的重玩價值，讓玩家再度踏入Warhammer 40,000那個充滿鋼鐵、血火與信仰的宇宙。無論是星際戰士的榮耀、死靈族的永恆沉眠、獸人的混亂吶喊或機械修會的神秘齒輪讚歌，都在這一次全面復興。

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV, developed by Germany-based KING Art Games and published by Deep Silver, is scheduled for release in 2026 and marks the long-awaited return of the main Dawn of War series. Unlike its predecessors created by Relic Entertainment, this new installment arrives with a change in development studio yet shows a clear commitment to returning the franchise to its roots—centered on large-scale battlefields, rich narrative depth, and sharply defined faction identities—re-establishing the brutal, fire-and-steel warfare of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

One of the most prominent highlights of this entry is the debut of the Adeptus Mechanicus as a fully playable faction in the series. Players can finally command this fan-favorite army of techno-mystics, whose religious zeal for machinery and arcane cybernetic rites turns the battlefield into a spectacle of steel, circuitry, and ritualistic destruction.

The story, written by acclaimed Black Library author John French, takes place two centuries after the events of Dark Crusade. The war-scarred planet Kronus once again becomes the center of conflict as numerous factions converge upon it. Veteran Scout Cyrus and Librarian Jonah of the Space Marines return to the ravaged world to rebuild their Chapter, but ancient Necron forces begin to awaken beneath its surface, Ork warbands gather in response to a mysterious signal, and the Adeptus Mechanicus descends upon the planet, drawn by echoes of forbidden technology and archaeological anomalies.

Players can experience the war from the perspective of all four major factions, uncovering how each faction’s ambitions, beliefs, and destinies push the conflict toward total chaos. At key narrative points, the campaign presents major decision-making moments that affect the missions that follow. As a result, multiple playthroughs reveal different branches of the narrative, giving this installment far greater replay value and dynamism than previous Dawn of War campaigns.

The gameplay adopts a classic top-down real-time strategy approach, drawing heavily from the foundational design of the original Dawn of War while upgrading its combat, unit management, and command systems. Players must build bases, seize requisition nodes, gather and allocate resources, recruit and upgrade units, research technologies, and lead infantry, armored vehicles, and commander-class heroes into large-scale engagements.

Movement, ranged combat, and cover mechanics are significantly refined compared to the prior three titles. Units positioned behind cover take reduced damage, while the expanded Sync Kill system gives melee combat weight and impact. Mechanicus constructs tearing apart their foes, Space Marines smashing Necron metal spines with thunderous hammer blows—these moments are brought to life with highly detailed animations.

Strategic resources can be spent to unleash devastating faction-specific Stratagems: Space Marines may call down orbital bombardments, Orks can amplify the ferocity of their mobs through the ear-splitting power of Waaagh!, and Necrons can deploy teleportation energies or raise entire forces from beneath the earth.

A major new feature is the Combat Director, a system that evolves the classic Sync Kill concept by dynamically adjusting camera perspectives and cinematic angles during major battles, enriching the spectacle without hindering player control.

With more than 70 campaign missions, this is the largest single-player offering in the franchise’s history. Each faction has its own dedicated storyline, all of which support solo play or two-player co-op. Fan-favorite modes also return, including Last Stand, which challenges players to survive relentless waves of enemies, and Skirmish, which pits players against customizable AI opponents. Competitive multiplayer returns with 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 modes. For added personalization, the enhanced Painter system allows players to freely customize faction colors, insignias, and unit details, creating entirely unique armies.

Since its announcement, the game has quickly become a major talking point among RTS and Warhammer communities. Following criticism of Dawn of War III for leaning too heavily into MOBA-influenced mechanics, players are eager to see the series return to the large-scale armies and battlefield command that defined its origins. KING Art Games’ experience with heavy industrial designs and diesel-punk aesthetics—especially from Iron Harvest—is widely seen as a strong fit for the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

Community expectations are high, with many commentators noting that the game’s direction feels more faithful to classic Dawn of War, particularly through its deeper faction mechanics, expanded unit systems, and enhanced battlefield destructibility. Early impressions suggest that Dawn of War IV has the potential to become one of the defining sci-fi RTS games of the 2020s. The introduction of the Adeptus Mechanicus alone has made this installment a must-play title for long-time fans.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV stands as an ambitious fusion of classic series identity and modern design. With a far grander narrative, more visceral combat animations, richer faction variety, and near-endless replayability, it invites players back into the Warhammer 40,000 universe—a place of steel, fire, blood, and unwavering faith. Whether it is the honor of the Space Marines, the eternal slumber of the Necrons, the chaotic roars of the Orks, or the sacred hymn of gears sung by the Adeptus Mechanicus, every faction returns in full force for this monumental revival.