Warhammer 40k Fans Restore Iconic Scream in Dawn of War Trailer

The iconic Space Marine battle cry is back, much to the delight of Warhammer 40,000 fans who strongly protested its removal from Dawn of War's legendary intro cinematic in the updated version created for the upcoming Definitive Edition.

Here's the full story. Last month, developer Relic Entertainment launched an "enhanced" edition of Dawn of War's opening cinematic to celebrate the announcement of the Definitive Edition's August 14 release. The updated video integrated dialogue from the original 2004 real-time strategy game into the cinematic introduction, altering sections of the classic audio. The most controversial alteration was the removal of a powerful, guttural roar—an iconic Warhammer 40,000 moment—from the Space Marine leading the Blood Ravens into combat against the Ork hordes.

In its place, the cinematic featured the battlecry of Gabriel Angelos, Chapter Master of the Blood Ravens, as heard during Dawn of War gameplay. However, that shout in the trailer didn't even belong to Angelos—it came from a Blood Raven sergeant. Fans of the series argued that the replacement dialogue failed to capture the heroic intensity of the original roar.

But that wasn't the only change that frustrated the community. The Dreadnought's dramatic entrance, according to many players, was "spoiled" by newly added voice lines that detracted from the adrenaline-pumping sound of its Assault Cannon spinning up and opening fire. New Ork voice lines were also introduced.

When I reached out to Relic for comment on the fan reaction, the studio indicated the response had been unexpected and hinted that adjustments were on the way.

That fix has now arrived in the form of a revised version of the enhanced cinematic, fully restoring the original audio. Yes, the fearsome Space Marine roar is back—ready to send chills down the spines of the unsuspecting Orks waiting on the ridge.

Watch the updated cinematic below:

For dedicated Dawn of War fans, it’s a welcome return to form. As I discussed last month, the original intro delivered a distinctly gritty aesthetic, tone, and classic audio quality that newer versions couldn't replicate. It brings back memories of an era when real-time strategy games dominated PC gaming, the Astra Militarum were still called the Imperial Guard, and Warhammer 40,000 enthusiast Henry Cavill had just finished filming Hellraiser: Hellworld. The original cinematic reawakens nostalgia for long summer afternoons spent purging Heretics while my roommate desperately scrambled to counter my assaults. The so-called “improved” version simply felt too polished and sanitized.

Back in May, when the Definitive Edition was first announced, I spoke with design director Philippe Boulle, and we reminisced about the enduring magic of Dawn of War's cinematic opening. Here’s Boulle's take on why it still holds up:

“It was a remarkable accomplishment for its time in terms of visual fidelity. We hadn't seen anything like that for Warhammer 40,000 before, and it really grabbed your attention, making you think, ‘Wow, this is incredible. I need to see more.’ And the good news is that it’s staying in the game—fully remastered in stunning 4K.

“What still amazes me looking back is how well the direction holds up. That, I believe, is its often-overlooked strength. The rendering was groundbreaking back then, but the pacing, the drama, the climactic moment of that soldier charging the hill, planting the flag just as the drop pods descend—all of that still works perfectly. It didn’t need any changes. Watching it again, you just think, ‘Yes. This is it. This is Dawn of War.’”