Company of Heroes 3
CoH3
Release Date: February 23, 2023
Strategy, World War II, RTS, tactics, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
OpenCritic
Steam
Company of Heroes 3 is the third installment of the popular series of tactical real-time strategies set in the realities of World War II. This time the campaign focuses on Italy and North Africa.
Company of Heroes 3 is the next installment in a series that unites the characteristic features of tactical and strategy games. Relic Entertainment studio once again takes us to the front of World War II.
The third installment of the series shows the Mediterranean theater of operations - it allows you to command soldiers in Italy and North Africa. It also depicts the fate of German Afrika Korps units, including the Battle of Tobruk.
Game mechanics
A key element of Company of Heroes 3 is a dynamic campaign map used for taking strategic decisions. It is on it that we occupy key positions or secure supply lines. We use naval, air and ground forces to do this. Orders given at this stage are reflected both on the map and during tactical battles in which we take direct control of units. Earlier bombardment of enemy positions will reduce their resistance, and intelligent deployment of other troops will allow you to reach out for their help.
The game offers a variety of missions, from the classic attack on heavily guarded positions to the silent elimination of officers. It also allows us to approach the challenges in different ways, such as by using guerrilla saboteurs or elite special forces preferring more direct methods.
The developers of the game placed great attention to the authentic depiction not only of World War II units, but also of the destruction system. The game allows the destruction of any visible building, which also has a tactical dimension - the building can collapse on enemy troops, and its ruins will serve as cover for our units.
The work of Relic Entertainment also has to offer a multiplayer mode for up to four players, who can compete with each other or join forces against the artificial intelligence.
Fractions
The sides of the conflict familiar to fans of the series return in Company of Heroes 3: an adaptable, fast-moving US force and the Wehrmacht, dangerous on the counterattack. Both received new skills and units (such as the Sherman Whizbang mobile rocket launcher). They were joined by the British with their allies (including mercenary Gurkhas groups) and the aforementioned Afrika Korps having Tiger tanks at their disposal and the Bersaliers - Italian light mechanized infantry.
Videos and Screens
[4:39] Company of Heroes 3 - 2.0 Anniversary Update Overview Trailer
[5:10] Company of Heroes 3 console launch trailer
PlayStation Universe: 8 / 10 by John-Paul Jones
Though Company of Heroes 3 might lack some polish and its implementation of a console-friendly control system takes a good while to get used to, Relic Entertainment has nonetheless crafted a layered World War II RTS that combines meaningful tactical choices and consequences with compelling street-level strategy that just begs to be revisited time and again. Armchair generals should rejoice.
Screen Rant: 3.5 / 5 by Kyle Gratton
The most unfortunate aspect of Company of Heroes 3 Console Edition is the text size, an issue with no solution. The settings have an option to increase cutscene subtitle size, but the same is not available for the many, many text boxes in-game. It frequently makes for a frustrating experience when playing from a couch, and is a constant reminder that Company of Heroes 3 is first and foremost a game built for PC; it's perfectly playable and more than enjoyable on console, but is still often cumbersome and awkward.
Push Square: 7 / 10 by Ken Talbot
For anyone familiar with the series (and the RTS genre itself), Company of Heroes 3 is a solid but flawed entry. For newcomers, getting to grips with the controls and trudging through the patchy Italian campaign might not be worth the price of enlistment. However, if you do learn its intricacies, you're rewarded with fantastic, intense combat. It's a great effort to translate the RTS to console even with one or two issues.
The main pros of the game
- Improved Gameplay Mechanics: Many players appreciate the tactical pause feature and the ability to make actions while paused, enhancing strategic depth.
- Visuals and Graphics: The game is noted for its improved graphics and overall visual appeal compared to its predecessors.
- Variety of Factions and Units: Players enjoy the distinct factions and unit variety, with each faction offering unique gameplay experiences through battlegroups.
- Multiplayer Experience: The multiplayer aspect is highlighted as engaging and rewarding, with many players finding it fun and competitive.
- Ongoing Support and Updates: Users commend the developers for actively patching the game and implementing quality-of-life improvements based on community feedback.
- Dynamic Campaigns: The Italian campaign, in particular, is seen as a unique twist, offering a different gameplay experience compared to traditional RTS campaigns.
The main cons of the game
- Content and Balance Issues: Many players feel that the game has less content compared to previous titles, particularly Company of Heroes 2, and that balance issues persist among the factions.
- Single-player Campaign Disappointment: The single-player campaigns are criticized for being less engaging and lacking depth, with some players finding them repetitive or poorly designed.
- Launch Problems: The game had a rough launch, with many users reporting bugs and performance issues, although these have improved over time.
- Toxic Community: Some players have reported negative experiences with the multiplayer community, citing instances of trolling and poor matchmaking.
- Lack of Customization and Cosmetics: Users express disappointment over the absence of cosmetic rewards during gameplay and the monetization of skins and other features.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- More Factions: Players are eager for additional factions, particularly the Japanese, and feel that the current selection is limited.
- Enhanced Campaign Experience: Many reviews call for a more robust and engaging single-player campaign, with better storytelling and mission design.
- Diversity in Unit Types: Some users feel that while there are multiple factions, the units within those factions lack differentiation and depth, leading to repetitive gameplay.
- Improved Balance and Matchmaking: Players desire better balance among factions and improvements in matchmaking to create a fairer competitive environment.
- Custom Cosmetics and Modding Support: There is a strong demand for more customization options and modding capabilities to enhance the gameplay experience.
Summary
- In summary, while Company of Heroes 3 has made significant strides since its release, particularly in terms of gameplay mechanics and visual fidelity, it still faces challenges related to content, balance, and community engagement that players hope will be addressed in future updates.
Summary generated on:
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Game Series
Company of Heroes Series
A real-time strategy (RTS) series set in the realities of World War II. Brand Company of Heroes is in the hands of SEGA, with Relic Entertainment studio overseeing its development.
5 video games
Company of Heroes 3 Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows February 23, 2023
PlayStation 5 May 30, 2023
Xbox Series X/S May 30, 2023
Developer: Relic Entertainment
Publisher: Sega
Company of Heroes 3 System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Quad Core 3.0 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 950 / Radeon R9 370 or better, 40 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Octa Core 3.0 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce GTX 1660 / Radeon RX 5600 or better, 40 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
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June 7, 2023
CoH 3 Devs Lose Nearly Half Their Staff
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Zuzanna Domeradzka
May 24, 2023
CoH 3 Taking Flak; Players Returned to CoH 2
It seems that Relic Entertainment has not provided Company of Heroes fans with the „three” they expected. Three months after its release, CoH 3 is facing very negative reviews.
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Kamil Kleszyk
May 17, 2023
CoH 3 Expecting Big Update Today That Many Will Not Like
Update 1.1.0 for Company of Heroes 3 will debut in a few hours, adding variety to multiplayer gameplay and introducing a microtransaction store.
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Adrian Werner
March 28, 2023