The third installment in the WWII strategy game
The popular real-time strategy series from Relic Entertainment is back with the Company of Heroes 3. The third title of the World War II strategy franchise, the game takes players to the Mediterranean. Here, you will duke it out in a campaign set across Italy and North Africa and play as the UK, US, and German forces.
Company of Heroes 3’s gameplay is on the scale of Total War game. Players can experience a dynamic turn-based campaign filled with bespoke real-time missions and skirmishes. Check out the previous installments of the game: Company of Heroes and Company Heroes 2.
What factions are involved?
Company of Heroes is a World War II game released in 2006. The game reached wide popularity prompting the developers to release its sequel Company of Heroes 2 in 2013. The franchise is well-known for its small-unit AI, allowing individual soldiers to take cover and use terrain to their advantage. Not only that but what makes the series great is that it humanized the battlefield with effects and sound.
Company of Heroes 3 includes two equally dynamic campaigns: Italy and North Africa. While the Italian campaign makes use of a new strategic layer, the North African campaign remains traditional and mission-focused. This new chapter brings in three main factions, namely the UK, US, and German forces. As for the rest of the allied nations and the commonwealth forces, they are not entirely pushed out. They will still appear in the game through Battlegroups.
What’s new?
The game recognizes what was good about the last two installments. It will also include more small-unit gameplay. However, it will implement features common to turn-based franchises, such as Combat Mission: Shock Force and Paradox’s Hearts of Iron IV. As mentioned, the game will take the battles to the Mediterranean. The campaigns will take place on a huge map with discrete objects, allowing you to conquer them however you prefer.
For the first time in the series, the game will include a pause button. With this, players can stop the action and freely explore the map. Moreover, this feature allows you to order units and queue up commands while paused. Then, you can start the clock whenever you want and watch your strategies play out. However, this function is only available for single-player battles. Multiplayer campaigns will remain exclusively real-time.
Introducing Operation Sapphire Jackal
Relic Entertainment is excited to announce the first major update for Company of Heroes 3, codenamed Operation Sapphire Jackal. This update brings a wealth of new content, features, bug fixes, quality-of-life improvements, and gameplay balance adjustments. The developers have been working diligently to address player feedback and reports since the game’s launch, and this update is a testament to their commitment.
Daily and Weekly Challenges
Operation Sapphire Jackal introduces Challenges, which provide daily and weekly in-game objectives for players to complete in Multiplayer and Co-op vs A.I. automatch. By accomplishing these challenges, players can earn Merit, which can be used to unlock cosmetics for their favorite units. The challenges vary from day to day and week to week, giving players a fresh and engaging experience.
Cosmetics and In-Game Store
The update also brings a range of cosmetic options to the in-game store, allowing players to customize their armies in multiplayer and single-player modes. Some content in the store can be purchased with either War Bonds or Merit, while others are exclusively purchasable with War Bonds. The developers aim to provide a balanced mix of earnable and paid content, ensuring that all players have access to unlockable content. The cosmetics available are historically inspired, offering a unique and immersive experience.
Bug Fixes, Changes, and Improvements
Operation Sapphire Jackal comes with hundreds of bug fixes, changes, and improvements in various aspects of the game, such as audio, art, animation, UI/UX, and maps. The update also includes several gameplay changes that address specific issues with certain units and mechanics, although this is not considered a full balance pass. The developers will continue to monitor feedback and matches to make further balance adjustments as needed.
A New Chapter for Company of Heroes 3
With the introduction of Operation Sapphire Jackal, Company of Heroes 3 gains new gameplay challenges, unit customization options, and many fixes and improvements. This major update marks the beginning of an exciting journey for CoH3, with more updates planned in the months and years ahead, ensuring a continually evolving and engaging experience for players.
Is the game good?
Company of Heroes 3 lived up to the name of the franchise. The game takes the battles to a newer location and involves three main factions. The Italian and North African campaigns let you experience the challenging terrain of the Mediterranean. Its map is bigger than ever, and the strength of destruction is amplified. Furthermore, it now features a pause button, allowing you to strategize.
