'CoH2' Aims To Emphasize The 'Real' in 'Real-Time Strategy'

Relic’s original Company of Heroes carried several achievements in the PC gaming space when it released in 2006. It was the first Games for Windows title (I didn’t say they were all positive achievements!), it received numerous game of the year awards, and it’s tied withStarCraft II: Wings of Liberty for the crown of highest-rated Real-Time Strategy game of all time on Metacritic. Now Relic is passing around a new infographic detailing the realism it’s bringing to the sequel, Company of Heroes 2, which releases for PC this June.

The core gameplay element in most RTS titles remains micromanagement of resources and units, but Company of Heroes 2 appears to be distancing itself from furious clicking and focusing instead on broader tactics and realism.

For example, soldiers are more than disposable grunts — keep them alive and their skills improve over time. Weapon sounds are pulled from recordings of their real-life counterparts. Battles take place in actual World War II locations.

Perhaps the most exciting angle of Company of Heroes 2 is the narrative, showcasing a theater of World War II which typically sees less attention: The Eastern Front battles during Operation Barbarossa.

Relic’s infographic is below, and it’s quite a tease for those of us who’ve been anticipating this long-awaited sequel.

This isn't really anything new, vCoH was the same way. Authentic units, weapons, settings, sounds, etc...but count on the gameplay still having the arcade feel.

What do we think about...

"For example, soldiers are more than disposable grunts — keep them alive and their skills improve over time."

This is a bit like CoHO, right? Or is it a campaign thing only?

My views are mixed.

1. I really like the idea of precious, much-loved and nurtured units

But on the other hand...

2. Won't they make MP a nightmare from a competitive POV?

3. Will they be allowed in ladder automatches?

4. I suppose the desire to preserve veteran units will change the gameplay dynamic and even the metagame... people will play differently to preserve their pet unit(s)

5 But man, I hated those CoHO assault jeeps.

Thoughts?

"keep them alive and their skills improve over time" --> veterancy

I wonder if anyone bothered to define "real-time strategy" for them before they drafted that image.

Haha good point Inverse

Coh, Real Game

Yeah that's kind of a silly play on words, honestly.

Straight from the marketing department.

real locations really that's is a huge stretch.

game design rule #1 of videos games in particular and games in general

being more realistic doesn't necessarily mean "more fun".

NES Ice Hockey and EA NHL '94 remain the 2 most fun hockey games ever made. Despite the fact that EA continues to pump out more and more "realistic" hockey simulations every year.

Also, Metacritic isn't some univeral arbiter of truth. It takes no input from the Eastern Hemisphere of this planet.

A great strategy game is a great experience world wide. CoH is definitely not that.

Is there going to be a Korean language version of COH2?

Nope, the game will only support Hakka

Also, Metacritic isn't some univeral arbiter of truth. It takes no input from the Eastern Hemisphere of this planet.

The fact that they pick and choose between reviews make their score negligible.

That's painfully bad considering the real means "real-time" rather than realistic, which CoH is not. At all. Like at all.

I'd have you know it's is based on a true war!

pretty hilarious how they pass of these 2 hour photoshop posters as a "promotion".

C&C gets Tricia Helfer, Tim Curry, and JK Simmonds to do cinematic promos..
CoH gets PDF file.

pretty hilarious how they pass of these 2 hour photoshop posters as a "promotion".

C&C gets Tricia Helfer, Tim Curry, and JK Simmonds to do cinematic promos..
CoH gets PDF file.

Don't forget RA3 got George Takei and Jenny McCarthy!

i suppose if we going so REAL about it there cant be mirror matches

i suppose if we going so REAL about it there cant be mirror matches

Or buildings being built on the field. Or repairing tanks with magic engineers. Or 99% of the game.