COMPANY OF HEROES 3
Review on a gameplay a year after release
Perfect RTS with no soul.
BY KABDULKAIROV MANSUR | UPDATED: JUN 12, 2024 23:10 | POSTED: JUN 11, 2024 21:34
Relic Entertainment set an unimaginable bar by releasing the best RTS game of its
time, Company of Heroes. Surprisingly, the studio exceeded the original’s success by
releasing the second part.
Playing the story campaign of the first part, I felt like a general who stayed out of the
frame of “Saving Private Ryan” and was marveled by the technological breakthrough in
multiplayer. In the second game, I lived through the horrors of Soviet Union soldiers and
competed in perfectly balanced matches with thousands of other players. After paying
more than the complete COH 2 bundle with all the DLCs costs and launching COH 3, I
felt like I was playing the game. A high-quality strategy with great graphics and
mechanics, but still a game.
How a small Canadian studio created a
series of the best RTS games in the world. “
With the rise of computer gaming, the public quickly moved away from turn-based
strategy games towards more colorful action games. The idea of battling physical and
intellectual skills together engendered the genre of Real-Time Strategies. Therefore, a
balanced, diverse, and interesting multiplayer became the central element of any RTS
game.
The original game revolutionized the genre by immersing the player in the atmosphere
of war, making every battle feel intense and real. Advanced physics, abilities to build
covers and use landscape, fire suppression, engine destruction, and other mechanics
made the battle system much more complex. The game required players both to
allocate resources and use troops wisely. Rapidly, players began to learn the basics of
military tactics and maneuvers, permanently changing the approach to the genre.
The second game improved in every aspect. The story of brave heroes turned into a
dark historical horror focusing on the Eastern Front. “TrueSight” technology, which limits
the view of units behind obstacles, and camouflage expanded the possibilities for
ambushes, forcing players to plan movement in advance. With the addition of new
factions and dozens of new doctrines, the game has remained popular to this day.
The new COH provides quality gameplay,
but not emotions. “
While retaining the core mechanics and WW2 setting, COH 3 brings a fresh
perspective, focusing on the Italian and African fronts. Motorcycles driving through
deserts, building assaults with grenades and flamethrowers, and an extensive list of
light vehicles have significantly increased the game’s pace. Also, I was impressed with
the technological progress, including the quality of textures, new mechanics, and
excellent optimization.
However, the game currently has two significant problems. The first one, ironically, is
COH 2. The previous part has far more doctrines, factions, units, and maps. A player
moving to a new game will test all its mechanics and strategies within the first 150 hours
and wait years for updates and DLCs. So, what are we supposed to pay $60 for?
Secondly, the game has no specific motive. While the first part is entirely devoted to the
heroism, the second to the horrors of war, the third is about nothing.
In COH 2, the player is tuned into the main topic even on the main menu. The powerful
soundtrack based on orchestra and chorus, gray visual tones with metallic buttons, and
burnt portraits of doctrine generals create an atmosphere of gloom.
Playing COH 3, I experienced dissonance from the combination of cartoonishly bright
graphics and a story about civilians’ suffering in Africa. The game lacks atmosphere, so
the immersion disappears.
Company of Heroes 2 – Doctrine Select Menu Screenshot
Company of Heroes 3 – Multiplayer Campaign Screenshot
The new company consists of re-rendered
missions from the COH 1 and comics about
civilians. “
I share Jon Bolding’s perspective on the single-player, finding it boring and lacking
coherence. All missions are either a breakthrough through pre-arranged enemy
positions or a defense against the oncoming enemy waves. Furthermore, the
experience is diminished by stupid AI, which charges directly into machine guns and
cannons without attempting to maneuver.
The game features two companies for the Italians and Germans in Africa. The
developers attempt to reveal civilian suffering through the prism of the Axis conquests.
However, their attempts have failed.
You’ve broken through enemy defenses, received a reward from General Rommel.
Watch a slideshow about Izem going to war. You intercepted the British supply and
captured the impregnable Tobruk. Oh, Izem returned home; we were so worried about
him. The German line has no connection with the civilians. They appear in the
slideshow for 30 seconds every few missions without causing any attachments.
The multiplayer hasn’t lagged behind past
parts. “
Multiplayer’s condition is better. However, I can’t agree with Jon Bolding that it kept me
interested for years. As I said before, the game lacks variety, plus the infantry does too
little damage, so there’s no effect from the proper distribution of squads. Also,
overpowered light tanks and a new economy do not allow you to recover if you lose the
debut.
Verdict
Undoubtedly, all these problems (with the exception of single-player) are solvable, and
judging by the latest updates, developers are aware of each of them. That’s why, at the
moment, I don’t recommend buying COH 3 for active players of the second part.
However, if you are tired of the old COH or didn’t play it, COH 3 will justify your
investment.
Okay
A strong foundation and great
potential keep the latest Company of
Heroes alive. Still, a decent RTS about
WW2 that only has yet to become
excellent
Review scoring Mansur Kabdulkairov
Works Cited
Bolding, Jon. “Company of Heroes 3 Review - Multiplayer.” IGN, 5 Mar. 2023,
www.ign.com/articles/company-of-heroes-3-review-multiplayer.
Bolding, Jon. “Company of Heroes 3 Review - Single-Player Campaigns.” IGN, 28 Feb.
2023,
www.ign.com/articles/company-of-heroes-3-review-single-player-campaigns.
