Company of Heroes

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,364 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Company of Heroes Game Cover
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"Company of Heroes" is a real-time strategy game set in WWII, with a focus on cinematic intensity and historical accuracy. Players lead Allied squads through key battles, using advanced AI and dynamic battlefields to complete objectives and defeat enemies. The single player campaign offers a captivating and immersive experience of WWII's turmoil.

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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,364 reviews
gameplay132 positive mentions
stability23 negative mentions
  • gameplay309 mentions

    The gameplay of "Company of Heroes" is widely praised for its fast-paced, tactical nature, combining elements of realism with engaging mechanics that encourage strategic thinking and resource management. While some players find the scripted missions and occasional enemy spawn mechanics frustrating, the overall experience is enhanced by its innovative cover system, destructible environments, and balanced multiplayer options. Despite its age, the game remains a classic in the RTS genre, offering a compelling blend of historical authenticity and dynamic gameplay that continues to captivate players.

    • “The gameplay is action-packed as resource generation comes from the objectives that you capture on the field, incentivizing the players to constantly move forward with their units and fight for every patch of land.”
    • “Company of Heroes brings the heat with its awesome multiplayer gameplay and campaign mode.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and tactical, requiring you to think on your feet and adapt to the changing situations.”
    • “This game feels like an in-between of a civilization game and an Age of Empires game if it was set in World War II, but the gameplay is the combined worst of both series.”
    • “It's a realistic RTS in some ways, but it doesn't matter how real it portrays WWII when the gameplay is pure garbage.”
    • “However, a lot of the mechanics of the game feel inconsistent - therefore, it's impossible to learn to 'git gud' at the game.”
  • story301 mentions

    The story in "Company of Heroes" is generally well-received, with many players praising its engaging narrative that is rooted in historical events from World War II. The campaign features a variety of missions that offer unique challenges and objectives, although some players find certain missions overly scripted or frustratingly difficult. While the storytelling is compelling, it sometimes takes a backseat to gameplay mechanics, leading to mixed feelings about the depth of the narrative. Overall, the campaign is considered one of the highlights of the game, despite some technical issues and mission design flaws.

    • “The good: engaging storyline in the campaign using historical battles, unique units on both sides.”
    • “Fantastic game, well designed, gameplay is incredibly engaging, character, world, and story design are excellent.”
    • “The single player campaign is arguably one of the best RTS campaigns ever, with an interesting story, good cinematics, good voice acting, and fun campaign-specific mechanics.”
    • “However, the story sometimes takes a backseat to gameplay, serving more as a context for the battles than a deeply explored narrative.”
    • “The story is one of the iconic Second World War, beginning at the storming of the beaches of Normandy, leading units through France and into the Nazi front lines.”
    • “Given, don’t come into Company of Heroes expecting to find a story on par with Mass Effect; that’s not what this is at all. It’s a simple story, like a string holding Company of Heroes together: not particularly strong, but necessary all the same to keep it all from falling apart.”
  • graphics234 mentions

    The graphics of "Company of Heroes," released in 2006, are generally praised for their impressive quality given the game's age, with many reviewers noting that they still hold up well against modern standards. While some aspects, particularly the cutscenes, show their age, the in-game visuals, detailed environments, and realistic animations contribute to an immersive experience that many players find visually appealing even in 2023. Overall, the game's graphics are considered a standout feature, enhancing the historical and atmospheric elements of the World War II setting.

    • “The game features a stunning graphics engine that brings the war-torn landscapes to life.”
    • “For its time, 'Company of Heroes' boasted impressive graphics, with highly detailed units, destructible environments, and realistic physics.”
    • “One of the standout features of Company of Heroes is its stunning graphics and immersive sound design, which creates a convincing and atmospheric depiction of war-torn Europe.”
    • “The game and graphics are decent when operating properly, which compounds the frustration when it acts up during the middle of the action.”
    • “The graphics are a little dated but they still hold their own.”
    • “While some parts look like Relic’s graphic designer outdid themselves with special effects, when it comes to cutscenes in between campaign missions, the quality was pretty terrible to say the least.”
  • replayability46 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by well-crafted campaigns, diverse multiplayer options, and extensive mod support that enhances gameplay variety. Players appreciate the ability to approach scenarios differently each time, ensuring that both single-player and multiplayer experiences remain engaging. Overall, it is regarded as one of the most replayable titles in the RTS genre, with many users highlighting its enduring appeal even years after its release.

    • “The campaigns are well thought out, enjoyable, compelling, and have good replay value.”
    • “The multiplayer component of 'Company of Heroes' extends the game's replayability, offering intense battles against other players with a focus on strategy and tactical execution.”
    • “Even the campaign material has massive replay value because you can attack the problems you face in each scenario in a different manner each time you play it.”
    • “Limited replayability, no major differences (same game, different day)”
    • “Not much replay value past the first couple of hours.”
    • “The original game had a lot of problems, the balance was terrible, but god forbid they actually just stuck with us versus Wehrmacht, and just built off that, as opposed to adding two more playable factions that they then also had to spend time balancing.”
  • music34 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its orchestral compositions that enhance the cinematic experience, with many reviewers highlighting the soundtrack's ability to complement the action and atmosphere effectively. While some consider the music solid but not groundbreaking, others regard it as a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's overall appeal, alongside impressive voice acting and sound design. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a key element that elevates the gameplay experience, making it memorable and engaging.

    • “The audio design is equally compelling, featuring authentic sound effects, an atmospheric soundtrack, and voice acting that adds personality to units and urgency to the combat.”
    • “All that sounds great but it wouldn't be a classic had the team behind this gem not strived for authenticity; Jeremy Soule returns with yet another beautifully composed orchestral soundtrack that screams World War II and takes cues straight from Saving Private Ryan.”
    • “The music is great, the voice acting is fantastic.”
    • “I love the main theme from the OST, but overall I can say that the soundtrack is just okay.”
    • “The soundtrack and sound effects complement the gameplay well, but they don't stand out as exceptional.”
    • “The classic WWII soundtrack can also be considered cliche, lacking originality.”
  • humor26 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players enjoying the numerous and entertaining voice lines that often lead to unexpected laughter, even after extensive playtime. While some repetitive dialogue can become tiresome, the comedic elements, including character interactions and ragdoll physics, contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere amidst the strategic gameplay. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its World War II theme, making it an enjoyable experience for players who appreciate both strategy and comedy.

    • “Voice lines of characters are so numerous and entertaining you'll catch yourself laughing at something a rank-and-file soldier says that you've never heard before hundreds of hours in.”
    • “The things the units say range from badass to hilarious.”
    • “The voice-acting is hilarious, the characters will even break the fourth wall to make fun of you.”
  • stability25 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and freezing issues, particularly during save commands and mission restarts. While some players find enjoyment in the gameplay despite these problems, the overall experience is marred by significant pathfinding issues, unbalanced multiplayer, and a complex quest system that can lead to frustrating replay scenarios. Despite occasional praise for its longevity and fun elements, the consensus leans towards a frustratingly buggy experience.

    • “In fact, the second game has so many running issues; this one runs great.”
    • “Mostly bug-free and seems to hold up over the years.”
    • “It freezes when one attempts to issue a save command.”
    • “One thing I had trouble with is that with its age, it has famous and noticeable bugs, glitches, and a complex quest system and saving structure where it is annoying to replay missions from the start if you fail a mission, leave, or have to restart.”
    • “The game is nice to play; the missions are awesome, but why does it cause problems? It just freezes up the screen and doesn't work. It's just busted and is fucking useless. I like playing it, but it just didn't work properly.”
  • optimization20 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it was once lauded for its ability to run on low-end systems, it now struggles to fully utilize modern hardware, leading to performance issues and bugs during extended play. Despite these shortcomings, many players still find it runs adequately on older machines, though newer systems may experience their own optimization challenges. Overall, while the gameplay and graphics are solid, the lack of contemporary optimization detracts from the experience.

    • “This game took optimization and AI to a new level; back in the day, you could play this game on a potato.”
    • “The gameplay is solid, performance is great, and the graphics hold up well against today's standards.”
    • “It also runs smoothly on weaker machines.”
    • “The downside is that, like many other long-lived classics, the program was not optimized (and still has not been remastered) to exploit the more powerful contemporary computer architectures.”
    • “It has its fair share of problems, such as lack of optimization along with all manner of strange and exotic bugs (enemy AI gains the ability to send commands to your units after enough lag? Alt-tabbing can result in a loss of control over your units? So bizarre...), but even with these issues this game towers over its utter sham of a sequel.”
    • “One of the most un-optimized PC games out there and it wasn't even on console, so there’s no bad port excuse.”
  • atmosphere19 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive sound design, and authentic audio effects that create a convincing depiction of war-torn Europe. Reviewers highlight the intense and realistic environment, enhanced by compelling voice acting and a dynamic soundtrack, making it a standout experience in the WWII RTS genre. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered unparalleled, contributing significantly to its enduring appeal.

    • “The audio design is equally compelling, featuring authentic sound effects, an atmospheric soundtrack, and voice acting that adds personality to units and urgency to the combat.”
    • “One of the standout features of Company of Heroes is its stunning graphics and immersive sound design, which creates a convincing and atmospheric depiction of war-torn Europe.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is just off the charts, when you hear squad leaders screaming orders or a tank crew making fun of the enemy infantry's attempts to get through their armor.”
    • “The most ambitious mod ever made for this game with a fresh new setting and atmosphere.”
    • “Better atmosphere than the sequel.”
    • “The intense atmosphere and environment it has, just when you think you have a breather, the game just goes 'nuh uh' and hammers you again.”
  • grinding18 mentions

    Players consistently express that grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming and often tedious, requiring a significant investment of time that can detract from the overall enjoyment. Many reviews highlight the repetitive nature of missions and resource farming, suggesting that the focus should shift more towards engaging gameplay and combat rather than prolonged grinding sessions. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a major drawback that can lead to frustration and a diminished gaming experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding (goodbye social life!)”
    • “It gets tedious in later levels.”
    • “Some repetitive/tedious missions.”
  • monetization11 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is mixed, with some users appreciating the absence of intrusive microtransactions, while others criticize the presence of mild to aggressive monetization practices that seem driven by corporate greed. Overall, there are no significant microtransactions in some titles, while others have been perceived as cash grabs influenced by their publishers.

    • “Also, there are only two DLCs and no microtransactions.”
    • “🔳 None, completely free from microtransactions (no wallets harmed here!)”
    • “▢ Cosmetic-only microtransactions (style without the pay-to-win)”
    • “I did not like quite a few of the changes made in COH2 as it seemed like Relic made decisions based on Sega's greedy monetization practices it enforces on developers under them.”
    • “Coh 2 is an unbalanced mess and Coh 3 will be a low effort cash grab.”
    • “Aggressive microtransactions, but avoidable (pay up or face the consequences).”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players highlight the emotional depth of the game, noting its portrayal of the brutality of World War II and the sacrifices made by individuals on both sides. The connection to soldiers and the impact of their losses create a poignant experience, making it a memorable and heartfelt strategy game that resonates with players long after they finish it.

    • “One awesome game I've played many times, probably one of the first strategy games on WWII that shows the brutality of war. The first time you play it, it hits you emotionally and shows you what people sacrificed in that war (on both sides), as well as presenting the war from a German perspective too.”
    • “This is one of the rare RTS games that made me feel connected with my soldiers and sad when they died.”
    • “Great RTS, with magnificent gameplay and a touching story mode.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

98% average critic score

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Play time

51hMedian play time
218hAverage play time
19hMain story
82hCompletionist
30-190hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

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