Coh3 | The Last Hero

Dear Company of Heroes Community,

we have now been patiently waiting for a successor to company of heroes for many years. But what we get delivered is a shame for this series. You have to put the truth on the table as it is, without glossing over anything. Maybe Relic didn't have the money, they know best. The graphics are and remain the biggest mistake on the part of Relic. One has to assume that Company of Heroes 3 should have existed for many more years, and this is where the problem begins. The graphics engine looks old and doesn't keep up with the times. In 2023, people expect a certain minimum, which is nowhere near being met or satisfied here.

I just can't content myself with the thought that I should be happy that there is a sequel at all. I bought Age of Empires 4 just to continue supporting Relic. I spent 20 hours playing the game. But here, too, Relic had already received criticism about the graphics of AOE4, the same error now seems to be happening with Coh3, in a probably somewhat more serious case. But not only the graphics are a problem, but also the physics engine. It's hard to believe that Coh2 looks much more coherent than its successor. Usually, a successor always builds on the strengths of its predecessor, and that's exactly what you don't see here.

Another point is that Coh3 seems very slow, develops little dynamics and the whole gameplay seems very unemotional, which is also due to the bad sound design. There are so many things that just seem wrong that one quickly wonders how far Coh3 will even have a chance.

I've already mentioned several times in my stream that it would make sense to offer the multiplayer mode as a standalone game for free. If reasonable skins were offered in the shop, I would be the first to spend money on them. And so Company of Heroes could finance itself and you could invest more money for further development. Games like League of Legends or Fortnite are the best examples of how well this can work.

People hate pay to win but love buying skins.

Another problem that arises with Coh3 is the attempt to make the series more interesting or suitable for the masses of players. I consider this a dramatic mistake. Likewise, to offer the game on console. It's hard for me to imagine that console gamers tend to buy and/or play games like Coh3. In my opinion, the resources for this are wasted time that should have been better invested in a pure PC game. If gamers are interested in RTS, in almost 100% of all cases there is a corresponding PC at home.

Another thing is the ugly interface. A Coh3 interface should be as compact as possible, but at the same time offer all necessary information and functions. I absolutely don't see that here. In the tech demo you couldn't even adjust the interface and make it smaller like in Coh2. At the same time, customizable hotkeys are still missing, as they have been for many years. The ugly icons do the rest.

What I miss about Coh3 in general is the passion for the game that I could truly feel in Coh1 and COh2 at the time.

Coh3 seems to me like there has to be a sequel, but you just can't bring the necessary soul back to life anymore.

I almost feel sorry for Relic, as I believe they are trying really hard with the resources they have left, but will not be able to meet the high expectations of the Company of Heroes core community.

You're more then welcome to stay at coh2.

We who got bored of it will move to coh3.

Hell, you might even achieve something as the whole competitive scene will move over as well.

CoH3 > CoH2

CoH3 > CoH2

I still see Coh3 being successful. It seems to have done enough of the right things to get through. And most of the issues that need fixed can be done easily.

I still see Coh3 being successful. It seems to have done enough of the right things to get through. And most of the issues that need fixed can be done easily.

+1.

The 1% top competitive carpal syndrom victims will somehow have to cope with coh1 paced gameplay.

Agree with this. COH3 just feels soulless and disappointing. It seems closer to COH1 than COH2 which is a turn-off for people that prefered COH2. The chosen community members that influenced the design of the game were obviously heavily leaning towards COH1.

It's the same points that get repeated over and over again by a large percentage of the playerbase: disappointing graphics, horrible sound, bad UI ... Relic has to show improvements here or COH3 will have a hard time becoming a long-term success.

Disagree. Even some of the most negative people on here are coming round to Coh 3 now.

Really looking forward to release. There will be so much to argue about, a whole new balance conspiracy. It's going to be hilarious.

The only thing Coh3 has going for it atm is potential. The new game excitement has people overlooking the numerous deficiencies and adopting the belief that everything will just be better because its a new game, because relic have been working with the community, because Devm is on the development team, etc etc. The other thing is people are also adopting the attitude that Relic will just fix the issues and the game will be great in no time.

Personally I hope this to be true, and the latest announcement about bug affecting the graphics gives some hope. But I think its false hope. The graphics atm just look crap, especially the desert maps. How anyone can play the game or watch the many streams and honesty say the units visibility is equal or better than the previous two games is simply taking the piss.

As I said previously I hope this is just the beta and that the game on release looks great but I think they are overlooking playability in favour of realistic skins and the weathering of units...

The only thing Coh3 has going for it atm is potential. The new game excitement has people overlooking the numerous deficiencies and adopting the belief that everything will just be better because its a new game, because relic have been working with the community, because Devm is on the development team, etc etc. The other thing is people are also adopting the attitude that Relic will just fix the issues and the game will be great in no time.

Personally I hope this to be true, and the latest announcement about bug affecting the graphics gives some hope. But I think its false hope. The graphics atm just look crap, especially the desert maps. How anyone can play the game or watch the many streams and honesty say the units visibility is equal or better than the previous two games is simply taking the piss.

As I said previously I hope this is just the beta and that the game on release looks great but I think they are overlooking playability in favour of realistic skins and the weathering of units...

So far, now that graphics were addressed, the only "concerns" people rise comes from preference, not inherit game flaw(pace and game length).

I haven't seen anyone complain about balance as nothing is crushingly imbalanced as it was in coh2 at, well, pretty much any stage of its life.


Now, if graphics look bad for you, it might be your GPU not being able to pull it off anymore as to me, graphics were pretty much on coh2 level, details and shaders will be adjusted, this much we know.

Game looks fine, it will progress over the years and will probably end up looking way better, just give it time.

Sound was messed up, yes, but this will be sorted out as well, again, give it time.

The game felt good overall, the gameplay was fun and the fighting was intense.

Another problem that arises with Coh3 is the attempt to make the series more interesting

Average COH3 hate post.

I'm sure going to miss playing the same 4 Gren 1 MG opening for 2k hours in COH2 as compared to the 10+ different opening builds of USF in COH3

Sound was messed up, yes, but this will be sorted out as well, again, give it time.

You mean gunshots and explosions?
Didn't they stated they wanted to go with realistic sounds this time instead of hollywood ones?

Because if you've heard a gun from some distance, it certainly does not sound as is portrayed in coh2 and coh3 indeed is more realistic here.

You mean gunshots and explosions?
Didn't they stated they wanted to go with realistic sounds this time instead of hollywood ones?

Because if you've heard a gun from some distance, it certainly does not sound as is portrayed in coh2 and coh3 indeed is more realistic here.

I would say that for some things they did a pretty good job for sure.



Watch this video and try to tell me CoH 2 did the MG42 justice

(Yes I know that it's the MG34 in CoH 3. Just let me cook alright?)

For comparison, a video of the MG42 being fired in real life:

Show Spoiler

I think the Vickers sounds a little goofy in CoH 2 AND CoH 3, but CoH 3 sounds closer in cadence/speed to the real one:

Show Spoiler

I do like some of the sounds, but the mixing is really bad tbqh. Why does the soldier sound like he is screaming in my ear while the mg34 is way quieter? At least give them a radio static overlay or something so it would make sense that they're so loud.

Dear Company of Heroes Community,

we have now been patiently waiting for a successor to company of heroes for many years. But what we get delivered is a shame for this series. You have to put the truth on the table as it is, without glossing over anything. Maybe Relic didn't have the money, they know best. The graphics are and remain the biggest mistake on the part of Relic. One has to assume that Company of Heroes 3 should have existed for many more years, and this is where the problem begins. The graphics engine looks old and doesn't keep up with the times. In 2023, people expect a certain minimum, which is nowhere near being met or satisfied here.

I just can't content myself with the thought that I should be happy that there is a sequel at all. I bought Age of Empires 4 just to continue supporting Relic. I spent 20 hours playing the game. But here, too, Relic had already received criticism about the graphics of AOE4, the same error now seems to be happening with Coh3, in a probably somewhat more serious case. But not only the graphics are a problem, but also the physics engine. It's hard to believe that Coh2 looks much more coherent than its successor. Usually, a successor always builds on the strengths of its predecessor, and that's exactly what you don't see here.

Another point is that Coh3 seems very slow, develops little dynamics and the whole gameplay seems very unemotional, which is also due to the bad sound design. There are so many things that just seem wrong that one quickly wonders how far Coh3 will even have a chance.

I've already mentioned several times in my stream that it would make sense to offer the multiplayer mode as a standalone game for free. If reasonable skins were offered in the shop, I would be the first to spend money on them. And so Company of Heroes could finance itself and you could invest more money for further development. Games like League of Legends or Fortnite are the best examples of how well this can work.

People hate pay to win but love buying skins.

Another problem that arises with Coh3 is the attempt to make the series more interesting or suitable for the masses of players. I consider this a dramatic mistake. Likewise, to offer the game on console. It's hard for me to imagine that console gamers tend to buy and/or play games like Coh3. In my opinion, the resources for this are wasted time that should have been better invested in a pure PC game. If gamers are interested in RTS, in almost 100% of all cases there is a corresponding PC at home.

Another thing is the ugly interface. A Coh3 interface should be as compact as possible, but at the same time offer all necessary information and functions. I absolutely don't see that here. In the tech demo you couldn't even adjust the interface and make it smaller like in Coh2. At the same time, customizable hotkeys are still missing, as they have been for many years. The ugly icons do the rest.

What I miss about Coh3 in general is the passion for the game that I could truly feel in Coh1 and COh2 at the time.

Coh3 seems to me like there has to be a sequel, but you just can't bring the necessary soul back to life anymore.

I almost feel sorry for Relic, as I believe they are trying really hard with the resources they have left, but will not be able to meet the high expectations of the Company of Heroes core community.

I have no problem with the negative oppinion here mate, as you clearly are passionate about the franchise to write this elegy.

But I find your use of the word "we", implying that you are speaking for an obvious majority, misleading.

Given all objective indicators, CoH3 will be a massive success and a great third part of the series. Thus the majority of players, including the "competitive" community will be very satisfied. Given the basic design choices seen in the beta, and relics committment to post-launch balancing, it looks like in less than a year we will potentially have the best CoH of all times.

Thus I would kindly ask you to avoid speaking for the community, but rather let the player numbers end of the year make this judgement.

You mean gunshots and explosions?
Didn't they stated they wanted to go with realistic sounds this time instead of hollywood ones?

Because if you've heard a gun from some distance, it certainly does not sound as is portrayed in coh2 and coh3 indeed is more realistic here.

I dont mind a more realistic approach as long as they still adjust it, fitting the eye-candy. (Its a casual game after all)

That said my main problem with the sound in the play test was simply that the sound mixing and volume were all over the place and made it impossible to pinpoint where each sound was coming from. Reinforcing the notion that often times the game just did blend in to a blurr. (Helped by the lighting issues and unfinished graphics)

I Especially had problems with far off noises being way louder than the sounds happening on screen.

Game looks fine, it will progress over the years and will probably end up looking way better, just give it time.

Sound was messed up, yes, but this will be sorted out as well, again, give it time.

The game felt good overall, the gameplay was fun and the fighting was intense.

This.

I also think people are insane if they can fully understand the games factional cometitive balance in a few days.

This.

I also think people are insane if they can fully understand the games factional cometitive balance in a few days.

You don't need to pretend to fully understand coh3 balance, if you've played all factions, you'll notice one nice thing which was a rather large problem in coh2, mainly, there is very few generalist all-round units, T4 main med is pretty much the only true generalist, with everything else being specialist units, which I really appreciate, it discourages spam of one unit into critical mass able to roll over anything.

Tho AT inf did seemed to be a tad too strong against infantry.

I love this nostalgic filters, which some people put now on coh2. I played coh1 right from the start - i played coh2 right from the start and i had a lot of fun with both. But i dont ignore all the "massive" problems which both had. For example - coh2 release version was a flop, you could buy coh2 in the same release-year for 12€ on sale ( a drop from 60 € to 12 € in under a year tells you all you need to know about the state of a game ). Coh2 was far away from the good "nostalgic" version, which some describe here.
But after many years of ups and downs with support, addons and work - coh2 became, what people now defend as the holy grail. And dont know where the problem is. Nobody force anyone to switch to coh3. It is basically the exact same stuff when coh2 came out and people trashtalked on coh2 and that everyone should stay with coh1 ...

for my part, i cant wait for coh3. I loved the playtest a lot and cant imagine to go back to coh2. its the first time, that i seriously like all 4 factions, were each feels interesting and unique with a lot of diversity and options in playstyle.

Compared to coh1 and coh2 at thier release, coh3 will start with the "best" foundation and most content for a good success.

This.

I also think people are insane if they can fully understand the games factional cometitive balance in a few days.

With large patches, it took COH2 2-3 MONTHS, not days for the meta to evolve.

One of my few regrets about COH 3 is that there won't be another balance patch. I don't think the last couple community patches were good for Allies in 4v4. Last month, the win rate for top 200 Allies in 4v4 was 37-40% depending on faction. 1v1 through 3v3 are well balanced which, to me, means that they did a good job of balancing infantry through medium tanks. Rocket arty, howitzers, and heavies are the problem. IMO, the game would be a lot better off without any of those things anyway.