Name: Company of Heroes 3 Review – A Pioneering Turn in Real-Time Strategy
Item: Company of Heroes 3
Author: Arash Nahandian

In our Company of Heroes 3 review, we’ve embarked on an exciting journey through the celebrated series, which has captivated players with its enduring relevance and exploration of historical landscapes. The game’s first installment opened with a heart-stopping depiction of the landings at Normandy, proceeding to escort us on an immersive journey through the vividly-rendered countryside of France.

The expansion, Opposing Fronts, transported us to a different theater of conflict, most notably the fight for the Netherlands. With Company of Heroes 2, we found ourselves plunged into the chilling battles of World War II’s Eastern Front. These epic scenarios ranged from the harrowing Storming of Moscow to the desperate struggle within the Stalingrad Pocket, and culminated with the climactic Battle of Berlin.

In our comprehensive Company of Heroes 3 review, we’ve finally experienced the much-awaited installment from the talented team at Relic Entertainment. This eagerly-awaited installment once again brings us face-to-face with new and meticulously detailed Second World War battlefields. This time around, the developers have cast a spotlight on the strategically significant events of the Mediterranean theater. More precisely, players will find themselves embroiled in the desert warfare campaigns of the German Afrika Korps in North Africa, and the consequential Allied invasion of Italy.

What sets this edition of the game apart is the unique development approach adopted by Relic Entertainment. The hardcore fan base of the Company of Heroes series was actively involved in the game’s creation from its inception. This novel strategy aimed to ensure that the game would accurately reflect the players’ desires and expectations, and this was a first for the series.

This Company of Heroes 3 review aims to evaluate whether the game meets the high-quality, real-time combat scenarios we’ve come to anticipate from the series. The compelling question of whether the fan-influenced development has proven beneficial to the game, enhancing its authenticity and playability, forms a key part of our review.

The Desert Fox: A Journey through Northern Africa

Our Company of Heroes 3 review focuses mainly on the two meticulously curated campaigns set in the North Africa and Italy. One of these, the North Africa campaign, leans towards a more traditional structure reminiscent of those seen in the game’s predecessors. This campaign unfolds a compelling narrative tracing the journey of the German Afrika Korps as they traverse the arid expanses of northern Libya. It allows the players to witness the genesis of the legendary Erwin Rommel, widely known as the “Desert Fox,” and to follow the trajectory of the German advance until its climax at El-Alamein, Egypt.

Perspective Through Drawn Cutscenes: Libyan Jews under Occupation

Adding an extra layer of depth to the gameplay, the North Africa campaign is punctuated by beautifully drawn cutscenes occurring between the missions. Through these compelling intermissions, we witness the unfolding events from the eyes of Libyan Jews from Benghazi, who suffer greatly under the German occupation. Caught in the crossfire, they also bear the brunt of the continuous assaults from both warring sides. This perspective makes a sincere effort, albeit subtle, to communicate the unspeakable atrocities of war to the player.

Portrayal of War: A Neutral Narrative

However, the developers have carefully maintained a balanced representation of the parties involved in the conflict. They have refrained from casting the actions of Rommel and his army in any particular light. As players navigate through the tumultuous tides of war, they’ll notice that the deeds of the “Desert Fox” and his formidable forces are neither extolled with undue praise, nor vilified without reason. The narrative stays devotedly neutral, allowing the players to form their own judgements and insights based on the unfolding events.

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The Sweet Life of Strategic Warfare

Our Company of Heroes 3 review found the newest addition to the franchise showcasing an excellent balance of strategic thinking and exhilarating gameplay. This latest campaign stands out, not just for its grandeur in scope that surpasses the North African campaign but also for its significant innovation that it introduces. It shatters the established norm of sequential mission delivery, instead replacing it with an engaging, turn-based strategy map. This format harks back to the beloved style found within the Total War series, a likely familiar sight for seasoned strategy aficionados.

The Evolution of Battle Dynamics

In our Company of Heroes 3 gameplay review, we’ve observed the numerous strategic possibilities unfold on the overview map spanning across Italy. Players can flex their strategic prowess by ordering new companies from liberated cities or even from offshore battleships. Furthermore, the placement of aircraft on airstrips allows for reconnaissance or assault missions, adding another layer of strategic depth.

Companies form the heart and soul of our military progression. These units possess a predetermined set of movement points for each round and can execute a single attack. Upon engaging an enemy company in open terrain, players are presented with a choice: to let the battle resolve autonomously or to actively participate in a generic skirmish. More often than not, opting for an automatic resolution is the go-to choice given the numerous other encounters that demand our direct intervention, particularly when cities or airstrips are the objects of assault.

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Clash Styles: Skirmishes and Missions

The gameplay beautifully differentiates between two unique battle types. In the course of skirmishes, players are thrust into typical skirmish clashes on generic maps. Here, the objectives may involve securing control points, inflicting a specific level of damage to the enemy, or encircling the opponent’s base. However, the truly thrilling moments arise in battles labelled as missions.

During these mission-centric battles, players are immersed in carefully tailored missions that take place on location-specific, custom-designed maps. Notably, these mission-driven battles offer a vastly diverse array of objectives and optional challenges, providing a rich, multi-dimensional gameplay experience.

The Joy of Commanding Your Campaign

In this Company of Heroes 3 game review, we’ve found that incorporating a turn-based strategy aspect into the traditional real-time strategy game adds a unique dynamic to the World War II scenario. However, this approach resonates perfectly with the overarching World War II scenario. Consequently, players get to be the mastermind of the entire campaign – determining the ebb and flow of the frontline, deciding on the prioritization of targets, and managing troop deployment. This capacity for customization allows each player to craft their unique journey towards conquering Rome.

Pacing and Balance: Room for Improvement

However, some minor drawbacks surface as we delve deeper into the campaign. The momentum of the campaign can somewhat languish, particularly in the mid-sections. This could potentially be remedied by a compelling storyline that has been somewhat absent thus far.

Three recurring characters – a US general, a British general, and the leader of the Italian partisans – make periodic appearances, suggesting potential targets, requesting assistance at specific points, or offering optional challenges. However, the balance isn’t quite optimal, especially concerning the latter. Particularly at the onset of the campaign, players may find themselves swamped with side objectives that appear unachievable given the initially limited troop count.

Despite these shortcomings, the campaign is an ambitious undertaking that effectively enhances the strategic dynamics of the Company of Heroes series, promising a uniquely immersive and rewarding experience.

Taking a Breather in the Midst of Battle

When it comes to real-time combat, Company of Heroes 3 feels comfortably familiar, which is certainly not a drawback. The series has always excelled in this domain, and this installment is no exception. A diverse range of intricately designed missions associated with the campaign ensures a wealth of variety in the battle scenarios.

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The Multifaceted Art of Warfare

At times, players might be challenged to achieve their objectives with only a pre-determined set of troops, no base-building permitted. Alternatively, one could begin with a lone infantry unit, gradually bolstering the ranks by rallying scattered allies throughout the slow but steady progression. The battle terrain is equally diverse, ranging from expansive, high-stake tank battles to intimate, tense urban conflicts in the quaint mountain villages of Italy.

Operating under a stringent population limit, we find ourselves in command of a relatively limited number of troops. This restriction prompts strategic decision-making — would it be more advantageous to call in a robust Sherman tank or to deploy a couple of specialized infantry units? Each unit presents its unique strengths and weaknesses, and achieving a balanced mix often leads to increased chances of victory.

Thriving in the Heat of Battle

In our gameplay review of Company of Heroes 3, the intensity of the battlefield can escalate even with a restrained number of units. This is where the most noteworthy new feature for real-time battles proves to be highly beneficial: the tactical pause. By merely hitting the spacebar, players can now freeze the action momentarily, thereby providing a crucial opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview and assign orders to their troops.

In an additional layer of strategic planning, commands can be queued up for sequential execution as soon as the game resumes. This intriguing innovation serves as an invaluable tool, particularly for newcomers, easing their introduction to the intricate mechanics of real-time combat. As they navigate the intricate maze of the battlefield, they can do so with a sense of control and understanding, adding to their overall gaming experience.

Enhanced Capabilities and Fine-Tuned Systems

While integrating fresh capabilities, our simulation meticulously perfects pre-existing systems. The acclaimed True Sight system makes a return, serving as a crucial factor in the perception of enemy units by our troops. This sophisticated system computes the actual field of vision of our forces, providing a realistic portrayal of sightlines.

The visibility of enemy soldiers is subject to real-world conditions. Should an adversary conceal themselves behind a structure or a cloud of fog, their presence remains unnoticed unless noise gives them away. The recent addition to this system is the consideration of elevation, proving to be significant in the rugged terrain of southern Italy. An enemy perched on a higher ground could spot soldiers hiding behind barriers.

Navigational Challenges: An Old Nemesis Returns

The longstanding issue of pathfinding persists as well. Much like its predecessor, the game still struggles with guiding troops to their designated location optimally. Instances where infantrymen make unwieldy detours instead of opting for a straightforward route through gaps large enough for a tank serve as a stark reminder of this problem.

This becomes especially frustrating when troops traverse unknown or hostile territories, ignoring safer, more straightforward paths available nearby. Such unnecessary complications can potentially result in avoidable losses. The sting of defeat is further intensified when the fallen unit has gathered a considerable amount of experience and ascended in rank.

Aesthetic Destruction: Chaos in its Splendor

Initially, I was rather inclined to voice discontent over the graphics of Company of Heroes 3, which seemed a tad antiquated. Yet, upon closer inspection, this was outweighed by the meticulous attention to environmental destruction and stunning visual effects unleashed during combat.

There’s a certain appeal, almost a powerful magnetism, to the spectacle of buildings collapsing into a pile of dust, potent explosions, and ashes swirling in the aftermath. The landscape that emerges post-conflict, bearing the scars of war, paints a bleak and grim image, albeit still draped in the hues of the Mediterranean ambiance.

This tableau is further enhanced by the game’s signature feature that allows infantry units to take cover behind the smallest fragments of debris. Coupled with the tactical pause, it creates a visually engaging setup, encouraging strategic placement of soldiers. The casual banter among soldiers during lulls in combat, discussing culinary preferences over battlefield narratives, adds a touch of authenticity and humanity to the game.

Challenges with Lighting and Performance

However, not all is perfect. Certain lighting configurations in the tactical map mode can make the game seem abrasive, especially when the screen is cluttered with units and cities. Additionally, a significant drop in frame rate was observed in such situations.

It’s challenging to pinpoint the exact cause. Perhaps prolonged gaming sessions overload the cache, limiting its capacity to handle more? Yet, this is a hiccup that can presumably be addressed with upcoming updates.

To wrap it up, while the game offers a feast for the eyes, it is not a graphical marvel compared to some of the visually stunning releases in recent years. A leap to that echelon of graphics would likely necessitate a powerhouse PC to manage the graphical demands – a proposition we may not be prepared for just yet.

Immersive Realism: A Peek Inside

Company of Heroes 3 hits the mark in terms of technical performance. It holds up impressively with a steady, crash-free operation and minimal noticeable glitches. Displaying satisfactory performance even at the higher spectrum of 4K resolution, this title executes a smooth gaming experience that aligns with our expectations.

While its aesthetics do make a pleasing impression, they fall short of being exceptional. The visual upgrades from its predecessor are subtle, offering a tad more intricate detailing and grander building demolition effects. However, in the context of 2023, one might expect a real-time strategy game to deliver a more stunning graphical representation, particularly when the in-game camera places you right amidst the action. The maximum zoom level, in our opinion, remains a little too constrictive. An option to retreat further for a broader overview would have been a welcome feature.

Expansive Gameplay: Variety and Versatility

In our Company of Heroes 3 review, what truly sets the game apart is its comprehensive content that offers something for every player. With two extensive campaigns, players can easily immerse themselves in a riveting journey spanning 30-40 hours. Beyond the campaigns, the game doesn’t skimp on variety. It offers the conventional skirmish battles, a range of multiplayer modes accommodating 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4 matchups, along with a co-op mode against AI.

Players are spoilt for choice with a selection of 14 diverse maps and four distinct factions – the Americans, the British, the Wehrmacht, and the German Afrika Korps. This assortment lends itself to a rich variety of unit choices, catering to a wide range of strategic preferences.

Company of Heroes 3 extends its embrace to the modding community right from its launch, integrating with the Steam workshop. This offers devoted fans the exciting opportunity to stay abreast with fresh and intriguing content. This game is not merely a momentary distraction but a long-term commitment to immersive gaming.

The Review