Recent reviews by W

Rarely do I feel compelled to review games, yet Company of Heroes holds such significance in my gaming journey that I'm compelled to share my thoughts on its latest installment. Regrettably, I cannot recommend this game. In its early stages, there was immense potential for this title to surpass its predecessors, reigniting the franchise's fervor. Unfortunately, Relic missed the mark, failing to grasp the essence that made the earlier games exceptional.

At its core, Company of Heroes thrived on tactical brilliance, where strategic use of cover and context trumped sheer troop numbers. However, this essence is notably absent in Company of Heroes 3. Map designs offer little cover for approach or attack, favoring defenders in key positions, often aided by height advantage, negating the cover system. Consequently, engagements devolve into risky man-wave tactics, emphasizing numbers over strategy or tactics.

Moreover, the game's overuse of unit abilities disrupts the core cover mechanics. Off-map artillery and early-power call-ins upset the strategic balance, detracting from the game's tactical depth.

The game's pacing further compounds these issues, abandoning the natural infantry-to-vehicle-to-tank progression. Notably, a faction heavily reliant on early T0 light vehicles exacerbates longstanding concerns about balance. The challenge lies in balancing impactful vehicles while maintaining their relevance without overpowering infantry-based strategies.

In summary, Company of Heroes 3 sacrifices the series' tactical depth and strategic finesse for chaotic encounters, abandoning the core elements that defined its predecessors. It fails to deliver the intricate balance between troop numbers, cover utilization, and strategic positioning that made the franchise exceptional.