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Company of Heroes has become a popular real-time strategy franchise; a massive hit on PC. Since the first game in 2006 it’s been able to master the gameplay, working in multiplayer angles. But on console, we haven’t had the chance to play this franchise, at least not until now with the release on Company of Heroes 3 on Xbox Series X|S.
It’s interesting to see this generation of console becoming home to some hardcore sim games and real-time strategy options, as they make the transition from the world of PC and Mac; a mix of hits and some not-so-hits. But Company of Heroes 3 comes with a good pedigree and high hopes. Let’s go to war.
When you open the menus of Company of Heroes 3 you get several options to play with. There is a tutorial mode that is extremely helpful, allowing insight into what is needed, making the complicated quite straightforward. Then you have the option of playing the story mode through a series of campaigns, playing in co-op or multiplayer mode.
The story takes place over two campaigns, with one being based in Italy and the other in North Africa. The campaign writing and mission structures are brilliant and pushed forth memories of what it was like to play a good RTS back in the day.
The gameplay is intuitive, focusing on moving forwards, taking areas bit by bit in the theatre of war. The UI – you will be pleased to hear – is very simple and easy to use too. Orders are placed on command wheels, ensuring they are easy to implement. It’s similar for the selection of different troops and regiments.
The idea of Company of Heroes 3, no matter whether you are taking in the campaign or working multiplayer, is to gradually move across the map, engaging in skirmishes and battles, holding key areas for more ammunition, vehicles, and abilities. And even though this is an RTS there is access to a tactical pause, stopping time to queue up actions ready for when you restart time. It’s like thinking eight moves ahead while playing chess.
When you get into a skirmish and you feel that your squad is in trouble, one quick click of a button will see them retreating quickly back to HQ. It’s here where you can buy more reinforcements. It goes without saying that I used this a lot. However, the campaigns will be your favourite part of Company of Heroes 3, as you go about progressing through history, taking in the different and unique missions.
Company of Heroes 3 will let you build structures that give access to various squads and different abilities. The different squads have additional special attacks too and so if you have a bunch of grenadiers – for instance – they can lob grenades at the enemy. When you get the skills and troops start driving tanks and ordering airstrikes on enemy bases, then the true theatre of war kicks in.
The destruction around you is suitable too, as buildings fall and things crumble to dust. Every battle feels full of drama, action, and decision-making that can leave you bereft or full of the smell of victory. Traveling onto the multiplayer modes and Company of Heroes 3 gives you tons of replayability, even when you have finished the campaigns. The battles in co-op give you more bang for your buck as well, battling together against the AI.
Visually and Company of Heroes 3 is very impressive, particularly as you can swap between resolution mode and performance mode. Resolution mode runs at 4K with 30 fps. All the details and lighting have been upgraded here and it’s an impressive game for a RTS, even if it’s not going to blow your socks off.
The sound effects are very good though, as is the war music score which is very rousing. The voiceover is brilliant and full of character and superbly acted throughout.
If you’re a fan of an RTS, then you’re going to love Company of Heroes 3 on Xbox Series X|S. The campaigns are fantastic, as is the use of the UI as it moves from PC to console. I’d say that Company of Heroes 3 is suitable for genre newcomers too, what with its informative and useful tutorial. Throw in good visuals, sublime voice work, multiplayer and cooperative play, and Company of Heroes 3 is a game you’ll struggle to put down.