Company of Heroes 3

It is no exaggeration to say that Company of Heroes 3 is a triumph of the RTS genre…It offers an amazingly deep strategic experience, fantastic onboarding for newcomers, and plenty of content to keep fans playing for dozens of hours.

69%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

stability, monetization

59% User Score Based on 18,890 reviews

Critic Score 78%Based on 37 reviews

Platforms

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About

Company of Heroes 3 is a real-time strategy game set in World War II, where players command armies across diverse landscapes in Mediterranean coastal towns and mountain fortresses. The game features a new dynamic battle system, improved command wheel, and improved destruction physics, allowing for more tactical options and environmental destruction. Players can engage in historical battles and missions, or craft their own with the improved map editor.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+11

59%

Audience ScoreBased on 18,927 reviews

gameplay970 positive mentions

stability786 negative mentions

gameplay
3,011 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
61%
7%
The gameplay of "Company of Heroes 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the core mechanics that remain familiar to the series while also noting several new features like tactical pauses, breaching mechanics, and elevation advantages that enhance strategic depth. However, criticisms include issues with balance, repetitive gameplay, and a lack of polish, particularly in the campaign mode, which some find unengaging or poorly explained. Overall, while the gameplay is generally considered solid and enjoyable, it is marred by bugs and a perceived lack of innovation compared to its predecessors.
- “The core gameplay of Company of Heroes 3 is still really good.”
- “The gameplay is smooth once you understand the mechanics - and the games play quickly.”
- “The gameplay is fantastic and multiplayer is a ton of fun (despite me being terrible at it).”
- “While the core mechanics still hold potential, several glaring issues make the game almost unplayable in team-based multiplayer settings.”
- “The over-reliance on these strategies reduces the depth and satisfaction of the team-based gameplay, especially for those who value team coordination and strategic diversity.”
- “The gameplay is a complete downsize.”
graphics
2,868 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
64%
13%
The graphics of "Company of Heroes 3" have received mixed reviews, with some players praising the vibrant and colorful art style that reflects the Mediterranean setting, while others criticize it for being cartoonish and lacking the gritty realism of previous titles. Many reviewers note that the graphics appear to be only a slight improvement over "Company of Heroes 2," with some even claiming they are worse, particularly in terms of detail and texture quality. Overall, while the game showcases impressive visual effects and smooth performance, it struggles to meet the high expectations set by its predecessors.
- “The graphics are solid with great performance, which sadly is a rare thing these days.”
- “Through its innovative mechanics and stunning visuals, 'Company of Heroes 3' impressively breathes new life into the cherished franchise.”
- “The stunning visuals capture the essence of the Mediterranean setting, while the sound design fully engages players in the combat experience.”
- “After a year and a half, the game is still buggy, the graphics lack the immersiveness you'd experience in both COH1 and COH2, and the vehicle movements are just so unrealistic - I don't believe a Sherman can maneuver like that.”
- “I am pretty disappointed; the overall gameplay and graphics were a letdown compared to the previous ones.”
- “The graphics look worse than before, the audio is absolutely horrible, and the gameplay feels reminiscent of old Red Alert games... it's truly unbelievable.”
story
2,235 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
74%
10%
The story in "Company of Heroes 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it lacking compared to its predecessors. The narrative often feels disjointed, particularly in the Italian campaign, where the focus shifts between the player's actions and a separate storyline involving a Libyan family, leading to a lack of immersion. While some missions are praised for their design and tactical depth, the overall campaign is criticized for being repetitive and filled with bugs, detracting from the storytelling experience.
- “Unlike the previous Company of Heroes games, you get to feel the story, be in the story, and also see some sympathy towards the squads and squad mates.”
- “The well-crafted storylines, accompanied by impressive voice acting and cutscenes, immerse players in the characters' struggles and sacrifices.”
- “The narrative-driven missions offer a diverse range of objectives, from defensive operations to daring offensives, while highlighting the human side of war.”
- “However, the campaign is mostly ruined by the skirmish fights, which are a less-fun version of playing the AI, and it is a majority of the missions that you play.”
- “Its so comprehensively bad that they added too much and too little, the campaign is just 10 hours of tedious skirmishes and like 5% story missions that were either too short or poorly executed.”
- “The disconnect from mission to cutscene is so horrific it completely derails any coherence the plot may otherwise have had.”
stability
828 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The stability of Company of Heroes 3 has been a significant concern among players, with many reporting persistent bugs, crashes, and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly in the campaign mode. Despite some improvements over time, the game is still described as unfinished and buggy, with issues such as freezing during missions and problematic unit pathfinding remaining prevalent. While some players have found enjoyment in the core gameplay, the overall experience is marred by these ongoing stability issues, leading to frustration and disappointment.
- “Much improved graphics and effects, no glitches yet.”
- “A number of people have noted bugs, but my personal experience has largely been bug free.”
- “Runs great at 4k and 1440p max settings and seems a good successor to COH 1 / COH 2 gameplay.”
- “After a year and a half, the game is still buggy, the graphics lack the immersiveness you'd experience in both COH1 and COH2, and the vehicle movements are just so unrealistic - I don't believe a Sherman can maneuver like that.”
- “It's so buggy, good luck getting through the campaign with all of the bugs.”
- “The game is a buggy mess and crashes are frequent.”
optimization
456 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
55%
11%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements over its predecessor, Company of Heroes 2, particularly in terms of performance and stability on high-end systems. However, some users have reported persistent bugs, stuttering, and poor performance during large-scale battles or on lower-end hardware, indicating that while the game is generally well-optimized, it still requires further refinement and balancing. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game runs smoothly for many, but there are notable exceptions that detract from the experience.
- “So far I'm having fun with COH3 and it feels like an optimized version of COH2 with better online and AI.”
- “The game seems very well optimized and runs really well.”
- “Performance is far better right out of the gate, some minor bugs and issues but nothing that makes the game 'unplayable' as some of the hyperbolic reviews are saying.”
- “Game is in no way optimized and the unit pathing is a joke, eng will spend a legit 20 min.”
- “This game is a crashing, non-optimized, horrible looking, piece of shit.”
- “The latest patch absolutely devastated performance, unbelievable that they haven't rolled this back.”
monetization
340 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
42%
55%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to the early introduction of microtransactions and a focus on cosmetic purchases over meaningful content updates. Reviewers express disappointment that the game appears unfinished and that monetization efforts overshadow essential gameplay improvements, leading to a perception of greed from the developers. While some argue that the cosmetic nature of the microtransactions is less aggressive than previous titles, the overall sentiment is that the game's monetization approach is detrimental to its reputation and player experience.
- “Although some of the in-game monetization efforts are a little cringe, they are primarily cosmetic and can be ignored.”
- “Coh3's monetization thus far has been exclusively cosmetics, which is perhaps the most respectful and healthy form of monetizing a game without shattering the player base.”
- “I would also add that the monetization is not aggressive, and that the most important things like battlegroups can be bought with in-game currency, which is not hard to earn.”
- “Not only is the game incomplete, the Italian campaign boring & repetitive, but also the blatant and excessive focus on monetization is disgusting.”
- “This game is unfinished... honestly, it's a terrible disappointment and feels like they prioritized console play and monetization of skins and stuff over actual content.”
- “The sudden monetization of the game with an in-game skin store was disheartening, but now the 'free' year 1 DLC that was promised to us in the preorder is locked behind a $15 paywall.”
music
232 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
75%
9%
The music in "Company of Heroes 3" has received largely negative feedback, with many players finding it forgettable and lacking the emotional impact of previous installments. Critics note a limited soundtrack with repetitive tracks that fail to enhance gameplay, contrasting sharply with the more dynamic and engaging scores of "Company of Heroes 1" and "2." Overall, the sound design is seen as a significant downgrade, contributing to a less immersive experience.
- “In terms of presentation, Company of Heroes 3 impresses with its high-quality graphics, authentic sound design, and a stirring musical score that heightens the overall atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack complements the on-screen action perfectly, enhancing the emotional impact of each moment.”
- “The music fits the game's atmosphere and adds to the immersion of the player, while the sound effects are realistic and make the game more intense and engaging.”
- “The soundtrack is fairly forgettable compared to COH 1 though.”
- “The music is also pretty bad and boring compared to COH 1 and COH 2; it feels like there's mostly silence in the background, and there are also some bits straight up taken out of COH 1.”
- “The music and audio in general do not hit as hard; the voices of some units are not appropriate for their role or mentality, and the scale of battle somehow seems smaller than COH 1 and 2.”
replayability
179 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
64%
7%
The replayability of Company of Heroes 3 is a mixed bag, with some players praising the dynamic campaign and multiplayer modes for their strategic depth and variety, while others criticize the lack of content and repetitive gameplay in the single-player campaigns. Many reviewers express hope for future updates and expansions to enhance replay value, particularly through additional factions and modding support. Overall, while there are elements that contribute to replayability, such as diverse strategies and multiplayer engagement, significant improvements are needed to fully realize its potential.
- “While the campaign pacing may fluctuate, the interesting multiplayer modes and diverse faction choices contribute to a high replay value.”
- “The dynamic campaign map is a standout feature, offering players a high degree of strategic freedom and replayability.”
- “The core gameplay is extremely fun, strategic, and has nearly endless replayability.”
- “The campaign is pretty good, but not very replayable.”
- “Unfortunately, the lack of 'commanders' for each faction really takes away a big chunk of the replayability of the game if you play the game the same way I do.”
- “Zero replayability.”
humor
130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
2%
2%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding amusement in its numerous bugs, awkward AI behavior, and unintentionally funny voice acting. While some appreciate the ironic and tongue-in-cheek elements, others feel that the overall execution is more frustrating than funny, particularly with the game's unfinished campaign and lack of content compared to its predecessor. Overall, the humor often stems from the game's shortcomings, leading to a blend of laughter and exasperation.
- “They even captured some of the ironic tongue-in-cheek humor of the Italians—I would have loved to hear more Italian phrases.”
- “The in-game voice lines from the men are hilarious at times in their banter and cursing out at the situation, adding some flavor to the troops and their interactions in-game.”
- “Imagine you paid to have a house built, and you open the front door to find it's just one wall with a door; as you turn around to ask the builder where's the rest, he’s driving away laughing.”
- “Then to top this all off, the game is so riddled with bugs it's not funny.”
grinding
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
4%
94%
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized, with many players finding the campaign and merit point system excessively tedious and time-consuming. Reviewers note that the campaign is filled with repetitive skirmishes and filler battles, leading to a lack of engagement and enjoyment. Additionally, the monetization strategy, which requires significant grinding or real money to unlock content, has left players feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.
- “There's no grinding out points to buy options, which is nice, but all the cosmetics are locked away in a shop for war bonds that you purchase with real money.”
- “The campaign here is hands down the most tedious, boring, melatonin-enhanced, butt-chugged NyQuil inducing thing I have ever suffered through in my entire life.”
- “It's buggy, grindy, doesn't have worthwhile narrative, and I had no idea what I was doing.”
- “After a while, things devolve into one tedious skirmish battle after another, with the only highlights being the more set-piece moments.”
atmosphere
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
57%
13%
The atmosphere in "Company of Heroes 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it lacks the gritty, immersive quality of its predecessors, particularly "Company of Heroes 2." While some appreciate the improved graphics and sound design, others feel that the game fails to capture the intense, dark ambiance of World War II, resulting in a superficial experience that detracts from the overall engagement. Overall, the game's atmosphere is seen as a significant step down from earlier titles, with calls for further refinement and a return to the series' roots.
- “In terms of presentation, Company of Heroes 3 impresses with its high-quality graphics, authentic sound design, and a stirring musical score that heightens the overall atmosphere.”
- “The meticulously designed environments, whether it's the charred ruins of a European village or the dense jungles of the Pacific, create an atmosphere that is as visually striking as it is emotionally evocative.”
- “The music fits the game's atmosphere and adds to the immersion of the player, while the sound effects are realistic and make the game more intense and engaging.”
- “Improved graphics, but it lacks the style, feel, and atmosphere of past titles that I prefer.”
- “For example, you may feel WWII atmosphere deeply in COH 1 or COH 2, such as speeches, commanders, etc., but in COH 3 you cannot feel historical ambiance.”
- “The sound is forgettable, the music is sad compared to the previous title, and there really is no atmosphere at all.”
emotional
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The emotional reception of "Company of Heroes 3" is largely negative, with many fans expressing disappointment over its lack of narrative depth and emotional engagement compared to its predecessors. Players feel heartbroken by the game's shortcomings, including bugs and a dull campaign, which have led to a sense of betrayal after high expectations. While some appreciate the visual and atmospheric elements, the overall sentiment is one of sadness and frustration, with many unwilling to recommend the game in its current state.
- “The meticulously designed environments, whether it's the charred ruins of a European village or the dense jungles of the Pacific, create an atmosphere that is as visually striking as it is emotionally evocative.”
- “The soundtrack complements the on-screen action perfectly, enhancing the emotional impact of each moment.”
- “It is pretty heartbreaking to say knowing how much I love the series, but this game is in terrible shape.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
Character development is highly praised, as players find themselves emotionally invested in the soldiers they command. However, this depth is contrasted by a shift to a more cartoonish art style, moving away from the grittier tone of the previous installment.
- “The character development is superb, making you genuinely care about the fates of the soldiers under your command.”
- “They have done away with the grittier tone of the second game in favor of a more cartoonish character design, especially with unit cards and the like.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks the depth that was present in the previous installment.”
- “I was disappointed by how the characters have become more one-dimensional, losing the complexity that made them interesting.”