Gaming Signal: Company of Heroes, the demo

Company of Heroes, the demo

I consider myself a fan of real time strategy (RTS) games. I also like a good World War 2 game. What happens when you combine the two? You get Relic's new RTS game Company of Heroes. I have been waiting for this title since I saw it a few months back in a magazine. I enjoyed Dawn of War, but felt that the game was lacking in its campaign settings. Now don't get me wrong, I still think that the new title will have a relatively short campaign mode, but I do understand that since it would mean playing as the Germans. I also do recognize that this game will most likely have an expansion that adds the British or Russian forces as an add on. But this is speculation at this point and the point here is the demo and my feelings about it.

Well, it was simply fantastic. Everything from the tutorials to the voicework really works for this game. The graphics had some tearing, but I believe the demo was created before the title had made gold status. The demo only covers the tutorials about the basics of the game including base management, infantry movement and armor tactics. It also includes two missions from the single player campaign, but the second one seems to be cut short. The demo plays like a World War 2 game, and when making the assault on Omaha beach it was very difficult.

This game really is working towards some elements that are bit more realistic as compared to other RTS games out there. Small arms fire is completely ineffective against armor. When combined with things like cover and firing arcs - you get a game that starts to play more like a wargame than a unit churnfest. This element really builds on what Relic started in Dawn of War and it appears to work well.

Overall, the game is what I would want in a WW2 RTS game. One that focuses on holding strategic points and maneuvering, and having less balance problems with infantry taking out tanks with small arms. I am very much looking forward to this title when it launches later this year.

Hey, is that an external reader?!?!?!

Welcome external denzien of the intarwebthingy!

Yes a couple of us play the 360. I'll watch out for you in COD2. Look to our gamertags on the main page (right nav) for others who play as well.

Posted by tditto on Friday August 25, 2006 at 1:24 PM