Company of Heroes 3 Review: Not the Heroes We Remember
The latest entry into the acclaimed series struggles to command attention beneath the weight of expectations and a rough start.
last updated Dec 08, 2023
This entry feels less like a decorated veteran and more like a fresh recruit still undergoing basic training.
Conquering The Gameplay Front
In an era where sequels often struggle to outshine their predecessors, Company of Heroes 3 aims to break the mold with its enhanced strategic depth set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean. Players will encounter a myriad of tactical opportunities through a combination of traditional RTS gameplay and new battle group dynamics. However, where intentions are as clear as the Mediterranean skies, execution falls short with a feeling that key areas are more of an addiction to micromanagement than grand strategy. The open campaign brings a welcome layer of immersion to the overarching war simulation, if you can overlook the repetitiveness and grind that tends to seep through the cracks after extended play.
Sounds of War – More a Whimper Than a Bang
Audio-wise, Company of Heroes 3 hits a rather average note. The sound effects of warfare fill the battlefield without ever truly elevating it. Guns blaze, explosions rumble, and troops vocalize with convincing, if not slightly generic, fervor. The music is serviceable, often blending into the background, much like the beige uniforms of the era's soldiers. It ensures battles remain atmospheric, but seldom will it stir the heart or invigorate the mind with epic scores or memorable tunes. A decent performance technically, but it won’t be winning any Great Video Game Score Wars.
Graphical Battleground
Graphically speaking, Company of Heroes 3 puts on its best uniform to impress with some modern updates while still showing signs of aging underneath. We’re treated to a display of landscapes and destruction that could certainly put a few photo modes to shame. However, the performance can occasionally falter like a rookie on his first march, with reports of frame drops and inconsistent texture quality miring the presentation. While the visual updates post-launch have added a spit-polish to the game, it's akin to applying a fresh coat of paint to a rotted fence – good from far, but far from good.
A Less Than Heroic Effort
It's clear the developers went for a shock and awe campaign by expanding the game's mechanics and content, perhaps believing they could seize the day on launch. Yet, ambitions seem to have outrun capabilities with a noticeable dearth of polished gameplay. Matchmaking in multiplayer feels as random as a weather forecast in the Sahara, and players report an economy of balance issues that would make even the most laissez-faire capitalist blush. The introduction of problematic microtransactions, like those infamous 'DLC Battle Groups', feels akin to price gouging wartime essentials – rather unbecoming for a title with such a storied past.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Relic Entertainment
Publisher
SEGA
Release Date
February 23, 2023
The Verdict
Company of Heroes 3 parades onto the field with a drumbeat that carries the echoes of its lineage, yet somehow loses the rhythm in the cacophony of its own ambition. It isn't an unredeemable affair – as patches continue and the community workshop churns out content, there's potential for this strategy game to live up to its name. But as it stands, with its blend of grand strategy and tactical combat, this entry feels less like a decorated veteran and more like a fresh recruit still undergoing basic training. Bullet points on a would-be medal of honor for 'Biggest and Best Yet' need more carving before this chapter of history is ready for the annals of gaming glory.
