While 8 maps might not sound like a lot, there are some winter variants tossed into the mix as well. across the 8 maps featured with the custom play settings. If you’re not interested in fighting against other players, you can opt to team up against A.I. Not being a bit more transparent in how or why I’m being matched up with other random folk is certainly a negative here. Player level is always shown, but this is dictated by experience earned throughout all three modes in the game, and only shows that you’ve been playing the game for a while instead of actually relating skill. Player only matches make up the ranked portion of multiplayer, but the ranking system is unfortunately hidden from view. 4 matches with a mix of real players and A.I. Here you can match up with players across the globe, with Company of Heroes 2 offering up to 4 vs.

The multiplayer portion of the game marks the second mode available. This is especially useful against tanks and other mobile units, which is one of the earliest examples given during the campaign. But these can be a double edged sword as well, if an enemy spots and targets units crossing ice, they can literally sink you with a number of direct shots. You’ll occasionally run across frozen bodies of water, which can provide handy shortcuts to areas that you’d normally need to trek around. Each squad under your control will have a small meter that lets you know how cold they currently are, and this concept really adds another layer to how you’ll control and execute the movement of troops for any given fight. Also, being caught out in the open during the cold can lead to frostbite, and actually kill enemy units if they’re not near a source of warmth like a campfire, or huddled inside of a building. Winter snow can accumulate quickly, slowing down troop movement significantly outside of a select few units. However, the campaign does introduce you to the winter element, and how that can have a variety of effects on battle. I definitely found the campaign to be fun, but I think it’s hardly the best reason for buying the game. There are some bits of a tutorial given in the opening mission, but a lot of elements that become vastly important in multiplayer or skirmishes are rarely touched on all at once. It’s also not the best way to acclimate yourself to the game if you’re new to the series. The campaign is cut into three difficulty settings, but CoH vets will have little trouble here even on the hardest setting. The historical focus that was present in the original Company of Heroes still takes center stage though, and focuses on a number of known events from the conflict between Germany and Russia, which actually ends up being a bit more interesting to someone that grew up with constant reminders and history lessons focusing more on the American and British exploits. This aspect isn’t entirely necessary or well executed, and does little more than set up each mission while constantly reminding us that war is pretty awful, even if you come out on top. The campaign focuses on the Eastern Front of World War II, attempting to wrap a story around the conflict via cutscenes that portray a “treasonous” member of the Russian Army imprisoned and reliving events of the war via his cell. But there’s a lot about this game that also feels like a spruced up version of the original, which isn’t out of place for a sequel, but there’s not a lot of broad, sweeping changes in play here.Ĭompany of Heroes is split between three modes. Flashier visuals, a completely new faction with the Russians replacing the Allies, and some neat ideas like the way winter can cause a number of impacts on any given battle. Yes, in that it’s mostly a clear improvement over the original game in a number of ways. Even with the demise of THQ, former publisher for the title, and with Relic being bought by SEGA late last year / early this year, that’s a hell of a time span for most sequels nowadays.īut has that time been well spent for Relic with Company of Heroes 2? Yes and no. I can tell that I’ve grown sort of used to yearly or bi-yearly launches for franchise entries when I found myself pretty surprised it’s been seven years since Company of Heroes was released.

Company of heroes 2 review