Company of Heroes 2

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 26,140 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Company of Heroes 2 Game Cover
Company of Heroes 2 is the USSR of real-time strategy games: huge, powerful and just a little bit broken.
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"Company of Heroes 2" is a real-time strategy game set in the Eastern Front of World War II. Command Soviet Red Army forces to defend against the German invasion, using tactical decisions and unit abilities to outsmart and outgun the enemy. The game features a dynamic weather system and destructible environments, adding an extra layer of challenge and immersion to the intense combat.

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  • Windows
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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 26,140 reviews
gameplay852 positive mentions
monetization122 negative mentions
  • gameplay2,259 mentions

    The gameplay of "Company of Heroes 2" is generally praised for its depth, strategic complexity, and engaging mechanics, such as the cover system and true sight, which enhance tactical decision-making. However, many players express frustration with the game's balance issues, particularly in multiplayer, and the introduction of microtransactions that can affect gameplay. While the graphics and atmosphere receive positive remarks, some feel that the gameplay lacks the charm and fluidity of its predecessor, "Company of Heroes 1," leading to mixed opinions on its overall execution.

    • “The gameplay in Company of Heroes 2 is deep, strategic, and highly rewarding.”
    • “The game's emphasis on tactical decision-making and unit preservation adds depth and complexity to the gameplay, requiring players to think strategically and adapt to changing battlefield conditions.”
    • “With its authentic setting, deep gameplay mechanics, compelling single-player campaign, competitive multiplayer, and stunning visuals, the game successfully captures the brutal nature of the Eastern Front.”
    • “The gameplay feels stale, samey, and fundamentally boring, with many mechanics feeling like they were massively dumbed down for no real good reason.”
    • “The gameplay is a solid COH-style experience, missions are varied and fun, but the overall gameplay experience is marred by the introduction of pay-to-win mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay has become incredibly arcadey, almost Starcraft-like, which detracts from the tactical depth that the original game offered.”
  • story1,693 mentions

    The story aspect of "Company of Heroes 2" has received mixed reviews from players. Many appreciate the engaging narrative that explores the harsh realities of the Eastern Front during World War II, highlighting the struggles and sacrifices of Soviet soldiers. However, some criticize the portrayal of the Red Army as overly negative and historically inaccurate, leading to feelings of bias and disappointment. The campaign features a variety of missions, but players often find the storytelling lacking depth compared to the original game, with some missions feeling repetitive or frustratingly difficult. Overall, while the game offers a compelling backdrop and tactical gameplay, the story's execution has left some players wanting more.

    • “The campaign is well-paced, featuring memorable characters and a series of challenging and diverse missions.”
    • “The storyline effectively captures the harsh realities of the eastern front and provides a sense of immersion and emotional investment.”
    • “The story is deep and engaging, and the tactical combat is still enjoyable.”
    • “The campaign story is very weak, and the game was very disappointing.”
    • “The campaign is well-paced, featuring memorable characters and a series of challenging and diverse missions, but the story itself is lacking.”
    • “The campaign story is probably written by a left-wing extremist who worked as an anti-Soviet propaganda organization; it was so intensively overridden by ideology and prejudice that it ignored basic facts and humanity.”
  • graphics1,362 mentions

    The graphics of "Company of Heroes 2" are generally praised for their impressive detail and realism, especially considering the game's release in 2013. Many reviewers note that the visuals still hold up well today, with beautiful environments and fluid animations, although some mention that the graphics can feel dated compared to more recent titles. However, performance issues, such as lag and crashes on lower-end systems, are frequently highlighted, indicating that while the graphics are visually appealing, they can be demanding on hardware.

    • “Company of Heroes 2 boasts impressive visuals that bring the war-torn eastern front to life.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, and the attention to detail is impressive, from the graphics and sound design to the gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The graphics hold up very nicely, and the constant difficulties your troops face on any battlefield make it so that there's never a dull moment in any match.”
    • “The performance is still not the greatest; the game's visuals are clearly dated, and after a full hour-long mission, you should restart the game because of memory leaks.”
    • “While this RTS is fun and entertaining, the graphics are surprisingly bad.”
    • “The graphics are much better on this one, but the in-game models look like toys for the most part.”
  • monetization378 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to the excessive number of microtransactions and DLCs that significantly impact gameplay. Critics express frustration over the presence of paywalled content, including essential commanders and abilities, which detracts from the overall experience and feels exploitative, especially for a game that was initially sold at full price. While some acknowledge that certain items can be earned through gameplay, the pervasive ads and in-game purchases create a frustrating environment that overshadows the game's merits.

    • “Even though this game has microtransactions, the game doesn't require you to purchase them to improve your ability to play the game, especially when playing the game gives you supply that you can use to purchase intel bulletins (very minor buffs), victory barrages, commanders, and skins.”
    • “The microtransactions in-game are nothing but cosmetics and small boosts, which some you can get by a little bit of grind.”
    • “While I definitely liked COH1 better, and the microtransactions definitely went too far before the war spoils system, Company of Heroes 2 is still a solid RTS with solid mechanics.”
    • “The addition of microtransactions and the design steering you toward them really makes the game suck; however, it improved on some stuff from the original and it has some good combat feel.”
    • “The base game is very lacking and that's not even all; even if you get all the DLCs, there are still in-game microtransactions for important items which you can't really acquire in a different way.”
    • “The microtransactions are horrific, and the game itself seems to be a cash grab with way too many microtransactions.”
  • optimization266 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users reporting significant performance issues, including memory leaks, stuttering, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some players have noted that the game can run smoothly under certain conditions, the overall consensus is that it is poorly optimized, particularly for multiplayer and high unit counts, leading to frustration among users. Despite its engaging gameplay, the lack of consistent performance and optimization remains a major drawback for many players.

    • “The game runs smoothly, even on lower-end systems.”
    • “The overall gameplay is very good and performance-wise there is nothing negative to say.”
    • “I enjoyed that the game was optimized for smoother gameplay.”
    • “The performance is still not the greatest; the game's visuals are clearly dated, and after a full hour-long mission, you should restart the game because of memory leaks.”
    • “Single-core CPU thrashing, stuttering gameplay on CPUs that at the time of release would have been mind-blowing - the game literally pauses for a few seconds for no obvious reason at least once a game, and shocking loading times.”
    • “Terribly optimized; my laptop could run Nier: Automata but lags with this game.”
  • replayability206 mentions

    The game is widely praised for its high replayability, driven by a vibrant modding community, diverse gameplay modes, and dynamic multiplayer experiences. Many players report hundreds of hours of enjoyment, with the ability to explore various strategies and tactics enhancing the replay value. However, some reviews note that the single-player campaign may lack depth, leading to diminished replayability after a certain point.

    • “The modding community has also created a wealth of content for the game, which adds to the replayability.”
    • “Great game with tons of fun and replayability due to the amount of maps and community maps and the 5 nations and their differences to make every game feel like a new experience.”
    • “The replayability of Company of Heroes 2 is unbelievable, with amazing co-op games online with tank battles that can only be described as epic eye candy.”
    • “The last thing is that this game really does not have much replay value, which in my opinion is abnormal for an RTS.”
    • “Campaign missions felt short and offer little to no replay value, with the exception of tiger hunting which I found to be the highlight of the campaign.”
    • “Online takes forever to find games, it lacks really any replay value after a few games unless you want to buy more factions but because I got bored so fast there is no way I'd spend more money on the game.”
  • music170 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the World War II experience. Reviewers highlight the orchestral soundtrack as a standout feature, with dynamic compositions that adapt to gameplay situations, creating a sense of tension and excitement. While some players noted occasional repetitiveness, the overall sentiment is that the soundtrack is one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing significantly to its emotional depth and engagement.

    • “The music is intense and it truly gives you that WWII experience.”
    • “The game also does a really good job of hitting that feeling of World War II, complimented by an amazing soundtrack that changes depending on the situation.”
    • “Best thing about the game is the soundtrack; I love how they did the battle music, the after-battle victory music, it's all so inspiring and it emulates how you would see a battle during WWII with violins playing while you hear machine guns ripping through the air.”
    • “Pulling up the game produces a screen saying 'Company of Heroes 2' and then I hear music and nothing else.”
    • “The music may be repetitive, but the little tidbits of audio work wonderfully in the game's favor.”
    • “For the overall feel of the game, it's missing the grittiness of the first game; it feels watered down completely, and the music is generic and will never have you coming back to it.”
  • stability153 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly detract from the overall experience. While some players acknowledge that the game can be enjoyable despite these issues, many express frustration over the lack of timely fixes and ongoing technical problems, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, the consensus is that the game remains quite unstable, with a high frequency of bugs that can hinder gameplay.

    • “For a game that came out in 2013, the game looks and runs great.”
    • “It runs well and isn't buggy, and it supports Steam Workshop.”
    • “Runs great, smooth gameplay.”
    • “Even after all these years, the game is so buggy it's near god damn unplayable.”
    • “Unfortunately, after multiple campaigns, there are still major glitches such as disabled troops, inability to regenerate troops, inability to order more troops, cover incentives, and weapon glitches.”
    • “This game is buggy as hell and crashes to desktop due to memory dump and graphics errors a lot.”
  • humor133 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as a mix of dark comedy and absurdity, with players enjoying the humorous voice lines, unit banter, and the ridiculous situations that arise during gameplay. Many reviews highlight that playing with friends enhances the comedic experience, while some find the game's mechanics and balance issues unintentionally funny. Overall, the humor adds a layer of enjoyment, making the game entertaining despite its flaws.

    • “Funny conversation goes brrr.”
    • “Throw in the hilarious stuff the people say when you give them the dumbest orders, and you'll be hooked.”
    • “The voice acting is 10/10, it is filled with very funny stuff like 'yes, they are shooting at us comrade obvious' or 'if you're not dying you're not trying' or even 'it's Ivan!!! And he shoots as bad as he smells!' with a funny German accent.”
    • “You're not funny!”
    • “Vanilla is so boring it's not funny.”
    • “The UI, the not funny voices, the details of the vehicles are cartoonish, too much nonsense with those tech tree cards; I miss the COH feeling.”
  • grinding120 mentions

    The reviews overwhelmingly highlight that the game features excessive grinding, often requiring hundreds of hours to unlock commanders and other content, which many players find tedious and frustrating. This grinding is compounded by a paywall for certain items, leading to a perception that the game prioritizes monetization over player experience. Overall, players express that the grinding aspect detracts significantly from the enjoyment of the game, making it feel like a chore rather than a rewarding experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “In-game currency is hard to get; the game forces you to play, and there's no grinding technique as matches against bots or real players give the same amount (regardless of how much time you spent in a game either).”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “I am not kidding or being over-dramatic, it actually would cost more on the average PC, and a strategy game should not include grinding to get stuff that people use in competitive PvP.”
    • “Unless you are willing to put in hundreds of hours of grinding, don't get your hopes up on unlocking the campaign.”
    • “Grinding a single commander will take you around 80 hours, yes eighty hours, for a single one.”
  • atmosphere80 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its gritty and immersive depiction of World War II, enhanced by excellent sound design, dynamic music, and detailed graphics. Players appreciate the authentic wartime ambiance, which includes powerful audio effects and a compelling campaign that draws them into the experience. While some feel it doesn't quite match the original game's atmosphere, the overall consensus is that it successfully creates a captivating and intense environment that keeps players engaged.

    • “The production value utilized to immerse the player in the game’s atmosphere is astonishing.”
    • “The sound design, too, enhances the overall experience, with the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and soldier chatter contributing to the immersive wartime atmosphere.”
    • “Coh is a WWII-based game and gives you a very interesting atmosphere to play in.”
    • “The atmosphere is gritty and brutal.”
    • “Also the cutscenes, the atmosphere and the whole mission design are just poor.”
    • “The whole WWII atmosphere doesn't really set in for me.”
  • emotional43 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its immersive storyline that captures the harsh realities of the eastern front, evoking deep feelings and attachments to units and characters. Players report experiencing a range of emotions, from joy and satisfaction in strategic victories to heartbreak and frustration from losses, with many noting the game's ability to humanize all sides of the conflict through poignant sound design and storytelling. Overall, the game elicits strong emotional reactions, making it a memorable experience for players, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and narrative execution.

    • “The storyline effectively captures the harsh realities of the eastern front and provides a sense of immersion and emotional investment.”
    • “The sound design is fantastic, from the occasional fourth-wall breaking joke to the idle chatter. COH2 does a very good job of humanizing all belligerents of WWII, with some truly heartbreaking casualty quotes coming in from all sides.”
    • “You know everything about the units you have because you've had them for so long in the game, and then losing them makes you feel it both strategically and emotionally.”
    • “If I continue to list problems with this game, the next thing on the list would be a biased and boring story.”
    • “The first few missions are both boring story-wise and quite long.”
    • “I was a great fan of the original game, but this sequel replaced it with annoying troops, a worse engine, and a campaign made up of a boring story and poorly scripted gameplay.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game has been criticized for its lack of engaging and visually appealing storytelling, as it replaces the beloved concept art and dynamic cut scenes with uninspired, brief cut scenes featuring characters that players do not interact with during missions. This shift has led to a perception of missed opportunities for deeper character engagement and narrative immersion.

    • “The character development in this game is truly remarkable, with each character feeling unique and their arcs deeply engaging.”
    • “I love how the game allows for meaningful choices that impact character growth, making every decision feel significant.”
    • “The backstories of the characters are well-crafted, adding depth and making me care about their journeys throughout the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

368hMedian play time
631hAverage play time
91-1000hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 115 analyzed playthroughs

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