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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Company of Heroes

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Company of Heroes
93
9.0 User Score:

Game Info

Publisher: THQ

Developer: Relic

Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy, Action

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: September 11, 2006

Summary

A real-time strategy game set in World War II, Company of Heroes brings to life, in full cinematic detail, the greatest war mankind has ever known. Company of Heroes is built on Relic's next-generation Essence Engine and also utilizes the Havok Physics engine, delivering cinematic visual detail in a world completely driven by realistic physics. Gamers will experience the journey of the brave men of Able Company in a deep single-player campaign that begins with the invasion of Normandy through their fight across Europe, all set against the most dynamic battlefield ever seen in a game. Company of Heroes' completely destructable environment means no two battles ever play out in the same way. Advanced squad AI delivers startling new realism and responsiveness, bringing soldiers to life as they interact with the environment and execute advanced squad tactics to eliminate the opposition forces. [THQ]

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Yahoo! Games

In Company of Heroes, destruction is a component of the game in a way that we haven't seen since "X-Com" let us root out sectoids by bringing down entire farmhouses.

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100

1UP

Company of Heroes seizes the bloated WWII genre by its tail and wags until years of excess bunkum sloughs off -- what's left is lean, mean, and a triumph for company-level tactics. The more you dig in, the more it gives back, and the less you care that it's another bout of Allied vs. Axis action.

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100

GameSpy

It's a brilliant combination of incredibly deep real-time strategy, beautiful presentation and innovative features that make it one of the best gaming experiences of 2006 to date.

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100

Games Radar (in-house)

You've never seen a strategy game with combat as intense as Company of Heroes.

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100

Eurogamer

It's beautiful, though that's entirely the wrong word. This is a war game, so the word should be "visceral" or something. Models are hugely detailed for an RTS, physics implemented impressively and so on. But relevantly, it's a functional sort of beauty (or - er - viscerality).

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100

Computer Games Magazine

This is where we've been waiting Relic to take us, and with Company of Heroes, the company has confirmed what many folks suspected after "Dawn of War". This is a developer whose name belongs alongside Blizzard, Ensemble, and EALA(nee Westwood)when it comes to real-time strategy games. [Nov. 2006, p.71]

100

Times Online

It’s a gritty Second World War caper that loads the gaming experience to the hilt, leaving players battered, bruised and thoroughly stirred.

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100

Armchair Empire

An evolutionary leap not just in RTS, but for video games in general.

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100

Sydney Morning Herald

One of the best strategy games yet: intense, atmospheric and tactically deep.

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100

GameShark

Don't pass on this one; it's the definition of the phrase instant classic.

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100

G4 TV

It takes the WWII setting and applies it to the kinds of game-related stuff we want to see and do. It’s a game about superior use of tactics and terrain, not overwhelming firepower. In short, it’s an excellent strategy game.

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98

Game Chronicles

Building upon the impressive Warhammer engine and tweaking it for historic warfare, Company of Heroes is easily the best strategy game of 2006 and sets the bar extremely high for future RTS titles.

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98

Gaming Target

Few games can revolutionize an entire genre of gaming, but ‘Company of Heroes’ is one of them. From the high-quality next-gen graphics to the unique style of RTS gameplay, Company of Heroes should be hailed as the definitive RTS game.

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96

Gaming Illustrated

One of the best RTS games in PC gaming history - no doubt about it.

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96

PC Gamer

Company of Heroes should be on the must-play list of every RTS fanatic out there, even those tired of WWII settings. It's just that good. [Oct. 2006, p.70]

96

GamingExcellence

Easily one of the best real-time strategy games on the market to date. With a heavy emphasis on tactics, cover, and unit management, playing means thinking strategically and not just sending in units to perish.

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96

Cheat Code Central

Company of Heroes is an amazingly fun RTS game that doesn’t sacrifice depth for entertainment. It’s fast-paced, rivaling some action adventure games.

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96

Gamers' Temple

World War II finally gets the epic strategy game it deserves.

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95

GamePro

Put simply, Company of Heroes is a masterpiece. Its dedication to realistic battle concepts and tactical warfare is enough to make it a high watermark for the RTS genre but its excellent graphics and physics, along with an intensely enjoyable single-player campaign and multiplayer options, help make this an instant classic.

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95

Worth Playing

Company of Heroes is without doubt a fun and addictive game. In many ways, it has done for real-time strategy what the "Battlefield" franchise did for first-person shooters.

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95

PALGN

Simply a remarkable game that hasn’t been witnessed for years. The amount of detail and care that was put into this game shows, resulting in one of the most fascinating experiences for any platform.

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95

IC-Games

The learning curve in this title may put some people off, certainly later in the missions, but there is enough to make the game enjoyable to green strategists while the veterans will find these same late missions give them something to think about.

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94

Computer Games Online RO

You only need to take one look at the producer recommended specs (3Ghz CPU, 1GB RAM and a 6800 series graphics card or better with at least 256 Ram) to get chills down your spine.

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94

PC Gamer UK

This is the finest WWII strategy game I've played. Hell, I'm having real trouble thinking of any strategy game that's this spectacular, this intense, this fun. [Oct 2006, p.70]

94

IGN

The transformation from a idyllic little town into a heap of crushed buildings and burned out husks of vehicles can be shocking. Seeing and hearing major explosions that cause bodies (and bits of bodies) to fly across the screen along with rubble from a nearby building simply puts you more into the battle than any RTS in memory.

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94

GameTrailers

The sound design is spectacular and really pulls you into the battle, from the first gunshot being fired in the distance to the barrage of armored forces rolling over a war torn city.

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93

AtomicGamer

There's just the right amount of micromanagement to start without feeling like you're "fixing" bad AI by controlling every single movement.

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93

Gaming Nexus

Simply an awesome game that really takes the WWII RTS to a new standard. Just make sure you have a nice machine to run the game.

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93

PC Zone UK

There have been lots of World War II RTS games, but this is the one that finally gives the subject matter its due - it's nothing short of brilliant. [Nov 2006, p.78]

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93

ActionTrip

I may not be the biggest fan of WWII strategy games, but this one just goes way beyond anyone's affinities towards a certain historical period.

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93

Gamezilla!

This game can be a complete frustration, requiring careful, specific, and tactical gameplay. However, it is more than worth the effort to learn. If you are willing to slug through that, you’ll find an excellent title that will likely end up being one of the year’s best.

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93

Jolt Online Gaming UK

The new flag-bearer of a genre. Superbly paced with a supreme balance of thoughtful strategy and frantic firefights, the game stands up to repeated play even if you never touch the multiplayer or skirmish modes.

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93

GameZone

Company of Heroes couldn’t be any safer of a purchase than investing all of your money into your child’s bank account for college. Wait, take out $50 to buy this game and then invest the rest.

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93

Play.tm

Company of Heroes is superb; a perfect blend of intelligent strategy and powerful visceral action, delivering such a natural World War II experience you'll be left wondering if you're even allowed to enjoy it as much as you do.

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92

Games Master UK

A new high-water mark in strategy gaming, for both veterans and newcomes alike. [Nov 2006, p.71]

92

PC Format

At once familiar and surprising. A monster slice of historical strategy fun. [Nov 2006, p.100]

92

Strategy Informer

This human quality and depth of gameplay is what sets CoH apart from RTS games where your units are all expendable. In CoH nothing is expendable.

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92

Next Level Gaming

With all the World War II games out there, it is hard to stand apart from the crowd and make a game that people will notice, play and talk to their friends about. Company of Heroes is one of those rare treasures.

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92

Gamer 2.0

To put it in the simplest terms, this is an example of real-time strategy done right. It’s a blast to play, and a game whose merits any gamer or WWII buff can appreciate.

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92

GamerNode

The gameplay is widely addictive and chaotic in Company of Heroes, and that's something you don't see very often in RTS titles these days. Relic continues to redefine themselves as a top RTS developer, and with two solid franchises under their belt, they're up there with Blizzard as the masters of the genre.

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91

Pelit (Finland)

Company of Heroes has one downside: no German campaign. We have seen Allied heroes far, far too many times. [Oct 2006, p.72]

90

GameDaily

Company of Heroes should be described as a work of RTS art.

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90

Edge Magazine

It may produce an experience which is as gruelling as it is compelling, but that’s a badge of honour the game wears with pride. [Nov 2006, p.86]

90

GamingTrend

While I'm certain that battlefield commanders from that era didn't have such instant information and control over the units under their command, the game does a wonderful job of limiting you to a WWII level of information. Combine that with the well thought out interface, and you have a winner!

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90

GameSpot

Technically remarkable and features some novel twists that make it unique among real-time strategy games. Yet while it's easy to get into, it's not just difficult to master but also rather difficult to manage, partly because the game does such a good job of evoking the sheer chaos of frontline WWII battles.

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90

Game Informer

Anyone who owns a gaming PC will be well served by this outstanding effort. [Oct. 2006, p.108]

90

2404.org

Company of Heroes delivers on its promise of excellence. But it’s not without its downsides that I hope to make you aware of before you buy this game.

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90

Game Almighty

Company of Heroes has revitalized the concept of what an RTS can be, positioning it as a contender for game of the year. Strategy gamers rejoice!

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90

VideoGamer

Company of Heroes reinvigorates the sub-genre of the World War II real-time strategy game, and its confidence in its own excellence is aptly demonstrated in the very first few minutes of play.

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90

netjak

The somewhat short single-player campaign does have a few missions that aren't quite as good as the others, but the others are undeniably great, and certainly stand out among all the RTS games I have played.

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90

AceGamez

For once, Company of Heroes feels less like a game attempting to sell itself on a popular theme that seems guaranteed to make a buck, and more like a great game that just happens to use a tried and tested point of history for its setting.

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88

Game Over Online

A good game, but not a great game. It’s not the second coming; depending on your personal spin it’s probably not the best RTS ever; it’s not the game that is going to re-energize the RTS genre. I keep coming back in my mind to the phrase “evolutionary not revolutionary” no matter how overused and hackneyed it sounds.

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83

Game Revolution

While it sports some classic RTS flaws, the speedy gameplay and dynamic strategy really push things forward. With Company of Heroes, Relic shows us once again that war is hell, but it makes for gaming heaven.

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80

games(TM)

It’s testament to Relic’s experience, expertise and endeavours that it has managed to make Company Of Heroes so distinctive from any other wartime RTS. [Nov 2006, p.100]

75

WHAM! Gaming

Not surprisingly, some liberties were taken to reconcile logistics with gameplay. Call in the airborne and your paratroopers arrive immediately, with no need to plan the air drop in advance. But that is where the suspension of disbelief ends.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 334 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Martin D gave it a10:
Company of heroes is easily one of the best RTS games of all time and excels in all areas. Relic continues to provide support by releasing balance patches and graphics updates and is one of the few developers who listen to the community and provide balance updates based on the feedback they recieve. If you haven't played COH yet your missing out.

Micah S gave it a10:
Best RTS game i have ever played, just bought the whole combo pack for $35, best $35 ever spent, i was a little wary because i am more of a FPS kinda guy but this game is intense enough to pull me into it!

MArk McK gave it a10:
I've been hooked on this game since it was in beta. It is IMHO the best RTS ever made.

Daniel G gave it a7:
I like this game but it falls apart when it comes to the AI i mean come on. I played against easy AI on a skirmish and they already had 3/4 of the map when i started sending troops out; this means you might as well quit the game because as soon as they get tanks out you are dead.

Torinir gave it a10:
One of the best RTS games of all time. A testament to the quality products that Relic is capable of developing.

Lysander S gave it a10:
One of the best games i've ever played. I'll keep this short. While there's bugs, mentioned by others, such as infantry specifically moving AWAY from the sandbags you've stationed them to use as cover, and other small annoying bugs like this, it's still and AMAZING game. You really can't miss out on this. You can zoom in and alternate your view to get a great look at the gorgeous visuals, you have full controll over everything on the battlefield, it's just so fantastic. Multiplayer lobbies can be a real bish though...

erik f gave it a10:
Great game. Enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, from building to building, check point to check point, Normandy to Berliin.

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