Company of Heroes

GameSpy ( )

I've always believed that the gap between the great and truly spectacular is much wider than that between the good and the great. Relic's previous RTS, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, was by any measure a great game, so it stands to reason that a new RTS based on the gameplay of Dawn of War would probably be every bit as, well, great. Fortunately for strategy gamers who have been eagerly awaiting Relic's latest, Company of Heroes is beyond a souped-up version of Dawn of War. It's a brilliant combination of incredibly deep real-time strategy, beautiful presentation and innovative features that make it one of the best gaming experiences of 2006 to date.

Gaming Nexus (A)

I'll admit, I was surprised at how great a game Company of Heroes is. Having not been to a few trade shows and only really reading about the game a few weeks prior to launch, I was delighted at how much fun I had with the game. Besides the incredible looking engine, the gameplay offers some great control over your squads and the action is fast and furious. Company of Heroes is a great pickup and if they can get the NAT issue fixed as well as the vehicle path finding issues, you got an almost instant classic in the RTS line here. I'm really psyched to see if they continue expanding the series in adding sea and air vehicles to control so let's hope this game does well and we see more Company of Heroes in the future.

1UP (10 out of 10)

Relic's been laboring toward a game like Company of Heroes since Homeworld back in 2000, and now that it's here, we can officially forgive frivolous trysts like Impossible Creatures and The Outfit. Everyone gets distracted, and besides, we've had Dawn of War expansions to tide us over. But come on, another World War II game? Surprisingly, yeah, and never timelier, as it turns out. In fact, Company of Heroes seizes the bloated WWII genre by its tail and wags until years of excess bunkum sloughs off -- what's left is lean, mean, and a triumph for company-level tactics. The more you dig in, the more it gives back, and the less you care that it's another bout of Allied vs. Axis action.

Yahoo! Games ( )

It's hardly surprising that Company of Heroes is from the developers of the visceral and imaginative Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. They've taken tired old World War II tropes and breathed thrilling new life into them with what is arguably one of the finest RTSs to date.

GotNext ( )

It’s not technically fair to say that Relic Studios have taken real-time strategy games to new, uncharted heights (CoH borrows a lot of gameplay from DoW), but when compared to the RTS games of other studios, Company of Heroes is an amazing achievement that moves the RTS bar another notch higher. It’s also on my short list of candidates for “Best Game of 2006.” The job of every person working on a real-time strategy game just got that much harder. Thank you, Relic Studios.

Game Shark (A+)

Company of Heroes is simply a marvelous game. The real-time strategy genre continues to evolve, and clearly Relic Entertainment is at the forefront of this evolution. Don't pass on this one; it's the definition of the phrase instant classic.

Game industry News (GiN) ( )

In the end, Company of Heroes earns a medal of honor from me. The game is highly addictive and a ton of fun. I can’t really see any way to top it. Assuming you have the equipment to drive this one, you are in for a wild ride. Fasten your seatbelts. Company of Heroes earns a perfect 5 GiN Gem score.

UGO (UnderGroundOnline) (A)

Company of Heroes for me captured a feeling of nostalgia for one of my favorite old school WWII RTS games, Close Combat. In many ways it feels like a spiritual successor, especially how realistically units react to specific situations. Of course, with multiplayer support rounding out the package, Company of Heroes quite frankly is one of the best PC games on shelves right now.

Snackbar-Games.com (5 out of 5)

Relic appears to have achieved the impossible with Company of Heroes - they've created a RTS in the trite World War 2 setting that is simultaneously beautiful, visceral, exciting, and yet revolutionary to the genre. Newsflash to competing RTS designers: the bar has been set and it's WAY up there. It's been a long time since the 'S' in RTS meant something - it does now.

Out Of Eight (8 out of 8)

Everything about the title is very polished and the result is a great mix of tactical and strategic gameplay. The straightforward resource collection, done by capturing territory, eliminates exploits that can be used in the game and results in more intense gameplay. The wonderful use of cover is quite fun: moving between fences, bunkers, sandbags, and buildings is more realistic and subsequently more satisfying than just throwing a bunch of units at the enemy, as is the case in most RTS games. Company of Heroes has some of the most realistic gameplay of any real time strategy game, and this is its finest point. Everything just seems to come together in Company of Heroes, resulting in a great real time strategy title. The great tactical and enemy AI and superb graphics and sound complete the package.

GamesFirst! ( )

Seriously, check out Company of Heroes now. It is possibly the best Real Time Strategy game of all time (at least, so far) and it is, simply, the best strategy game of 2006. You don't want to miss it!

G4 TV: X-Play ( )

And this is why we really like Company of Heroes. It takes the WWII setting and applies it to the kinds of game-related stuff we want to see and do. It’s a game about superior use of tactics and terrain, not overwhelming firepower. In short, it’s an excellent strategy game.

Eurogamer.de (10 out of 10)

Ich nehme den Mund jetzt mal ganz voll: “Company of Heroes“ ist das perfekteste Spiel, das ich seit meinen ersten Berührungen mit der Games-Branche (1987!) in den Händen gehalten habe! Noch nie habe ich eine derart geniale Verbindung aus technischer Perfektion, hypermotivierendem Gameplay und überwältigender Präsentation gesehen. Hier gibt´s für mich kein “Ja, aber …“ mehr, keine Wünsche bleiben offen. Relic, “Sie haben gesiegt!“

Armchair Empire, The (10 out of 10)

I’ll start with a few controversial statements. First, while I’m as tired as anyone of the flood of mediocre WWII games on the market, I personally don’t believe what many do, that this means there are too many WWII games. In fact, a game like Relic Entertainment and THQ’s Company of Heroes makes me suspect maybe there haven’t been enough -- or haven’t been enough of the right kind.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (10 out of 10)

To make a WW2 game that matters, you need to make something special enough to cut through that armour of cynicism. Company of Heroes: something special.

Game Chronicles (9.8 out of 10)

Building upon the impressive Warhammer engine and tweaking it for historic warfare, Company of Heroes is easily the best strategy game of 2006 and sets the bar extremely high for future RTS titles. If you are a gamer who enjoys history, WWII, strategy, or just quality gaming, then you’ll be in good company with Company of Heroes.

Gaming Target (9.8 out of 10)

With close to nothing but perfection, the only problem being long load times, Company of Heroes is worth every penny that you paid for it. Even if you have to go and upgrade every ounce of your computer in order to run it. Highly recommended.

Game Vortex (98 out of 100)

Company of Heroes is an amazing title, with jaw-dropping graphics, physics and sound, with intense gameplay and deep, never-ending multiplayer action. This might be in my top 10 PC games of all time list; it most definitely climbed to the top of my strategy list. If you are any kind of fan of war games, strategy or just have a pulse and a PC, you would be moronic not to get this title.

GamingIllustrated.com (96 out of 100)

Company of Heroes has quickly become the game of choice here at Gaming Illustrated. We’re fighting each other (Axis vs Allies) on the LAN constantly, playing it online, and some of us have jeopardized our marriages to play long into the night to "just finish the next mission" because it’s so addicting. This is one of those games that comes out once every four or five years that will be a true PC gamer’s favorite and comes as highly recommended a game for purchase as anything we could think of in 2006. A no doubt about it Editor’s Choice award winner for quality.

Cheat Code Central (4.8 out of 5)

Company of Heroes is a must-have for any RTS fan. I would even recommend that fans of shooters and action adventure genres check it out. A great game is a great game and you won’t necessarily think of it in terms of a RTS.

GamingExcellence (9.6 out of 10)

In sum, Company of Heroes is by far one of the best RTSs on the market to date. With a heavy emphasis on tactics, cover, and unit management, the game compels players to think strategically and not just send wave after wave of units to their death. While many games have tried in vain to strike a balance between deep strategy and enjoyment, it appears that the developers behind CoH have found the magic formula.

Gamers' Temple, The (96 out of 100)

Multiplayer games are run through Relic’s own matchmaking system and you can select from two player duels to team battles between Axis and Allied forces. If you thought the Ai presented you with a challenge in the game, wait until you go up against other players. The game design makes for some exciting and unpredictable play against other gamers and the multiplayer game will have you coming back to Company of Heroes for a long time after you’ve finished the campaign.

Games Finder (9.5 out of 10)

The realistic level of strategy in Company of Heroes scored it endless praise on release and still is one of the best strategy games around.

Worth Playing (9.5 out of 10)

The real-time strategy genre is undergoing a dramatic transformation. It's just as well too, as this long-overdue shake-up may just save a great genre from going the way of the evanescent side-scroller. Despite new games being released that display some imaginative concepts, they've largely become stale and uninspiring. In part, this is because the genre has resisted the move to fully 3-D units and environments, but also because the gameplay has changed little. What we're seeing now with games like Relic's highly successful Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War series and its latest title, Company of Heroes, is a fresh approach that is delivering an immersive and fun game experience. These games are also redefining the genre by shifting the focus from "real-time strategy" to "real-time tactics."

Gameslave UK (9.5 out of 10)

Company of Heroes is the latest real-time strategy offering from THQ and Relic, its campaigns following the bloody progress of the titular US Army Company from D-Day to the breaking of Fortress Europe. Its interface is traditional, with a rotating and zooming viewpoint, and really no bells or whistles at all regarding interface, command or unit creation. It is in fact, in many ways, a very traditional RTS. Where it goes within the genre, however, is likely to set the gold standard for quite a while to come.

Lawrence (9.5 out of 10)

Overall, Company of Heroes is simply a great game, both technically and in terms of gameplay. Before you write off the WWII setting as over-used, give this a try. It’s easily one of the most immersive strategy games of this, or any other, year.

IC-Games (95 out of 100)

So, do we need another WWII based strategy title? When it’s of the standard of Company of Heroes then yes, we most certainly do. The fact that there are only missions in a small area of France must surely speak of the ubiquitous expansion packs covering the other major battles (Arnhem, El-Alamein, Iwo Jima, etc.). At least, I would hope there will be, since this game engine must be used again. The learning curve in this title may put some people off, certainly later in the missions, but there is enough to make the game enjoyable to green strategists while the veterans will find these same late missions give them something to think about. This game does contain some strong language, but then the subject matter isn’t exactly meant for the faint of heart, but, you’ve been warned.

PAL Gaming Network (PALGN) (9.5 out of 10)

Company of Heroes is simply a remarkable game that hasn’t been witnessed for years. The amount of detail and care that was put into this game shows, resulting in one of the most fascinating experiences for any platform. Despite suffering from a few minor drawbacks, Company of Heroes is incredible in each and every aspect. Featuring an addictive and fulfilling campaign mode, intense and enjoyable skirmish and multiplayer modes, and some beautiful detail that brings the entire game alive, Company of Heroes is the complete package that you don’t want to miss out on.

GamePro (US) (4.75 out of 5)

Aside from the less than unique setting, Company of Heroes is a dream come true for fans of the genre, an almost instant classic which has somehow managed to strike the perfect balance between realism and inconceivable action.

Fragland.net (94.8 out of 100)

As exciting as the action in 24, equally surprising as Trigger Happy and at least as emerging as Band of Brothers is the experience offered by Company of Heroes. We're not going to go into Saving Private Ryan again, or we are, but this game finally succeeds in putting the intense action of the big screen in a very playable and complex strategy game that will not only grab you by your throat like a horny German looking for a nice Fritz after 7 years of restraint, but also will be shaking you like an earthquake with lightning fast action, eye-stunning graphics, dramatic heights and an impressive sense of detail and authenticity.

IGN (9.4 out of 10)

Company of Heroes is an excellent RTS. Relic is at the top of their game here and have set the bar high for any future World War II strategy titles and RTS games in general. Focusing on company level combat has allowed for lots of attention to detail, adaptable play, and fast action. Completely destructible environments are used to enhance gameplay and create some of the most satisfyingly war torn landscapes seen in video games. A fulfilling campaign, addictive gameplay, detailed visuals, and powerful use of sound make up a complete experience with very few problems. Real-time strategy fans would do well to pay attention to this game and, if they're not already, to the development house at Relic.

Mana Pool (9.4 out of 10)

Of all the computer games my Dad has ever squinted at with distrust verging on hostility, this is the only one to keep him watching for almost an hour (before he realised how long he’d been watching, shook his head at me disappointedly and went out to improve the lot of our fellow men or some other nobly doomed endeavour). For that alone, this game deserves some form of gaming Oscar. Go and play it. There really aren’t any good reasons not to.

ComputerGames.ro (94 out of 100)

It’s sad for all those RTS fans with more modest rigs but I can safely say that Company of Heroes is a game worth upgrading your PC for. It’s one of those games which make you play it for 10 minutes, and another 10, and another, and another, and when you finally stop playing you see that a whole hour has gone by and now your friend from France wants a rematch. Well, go on, you can’t say “No” to the man, can you?

YouGamers (94 out of 100)

The great, no-frills multiplayer game with great replayability (of maps and battle recordings both), an entertaining if cliched campaign that also serves as an extended tutorial, the near certainty of an expansion or two from Relic, and great innovations in the field of tactical simulation and physics effects in an RTS game get my two thumbs up, way up for Company of Heroes. Also, it gets an honorable mention for some of the best army talk in a computer game yet!

MyGames (93 out of 100)

Company of Heroes oferece tudo o que podíamos esperar de um ETR assente na Segunda Guerra Mundial. Tem uma campanha empolgante, aspectos técnicos que impressionam, uma jogabilidade imaculada e não acaba no fim da última missão, deixando-nos expandir os nossos horizontes estratégicos no multijogador. Provavelmente, o melhor jogo de estratégia do ano.

GameZone (9.3 out of 10)

I recommend picking this up immediately. There will be expansion packs to keep your interest, I assure you! Company of Heroes couldn’t be any safer of a purchase than investing all of your money into your child’s bank account for college. Wait, take out $50 to buy this game and then invest the rest. There you have it, buy this game and you’ll be connected to this game as much as I am.

PC Zone (1993-2010) (9.3 out of 10)

Like we said at the beginning of the review, this is an evolutionary step in the RTS genre, and one that, at least as far as this reviewer is concerned, is firmly in the right direction. Relic have focused on putting real-life tactics into real-time strategy, and not only that, they've made one of the finest looking games of the year. And it's got tanks that shoot out flames. There have been lots of World War II RTS games, but this is the one that finally gives the subject matter its due - it's nothing short of brilliant.

DarkZero (9.3 out of 10)

Coming right out of the doors of the developer that brought us the fantastic Dawn of War big things were always expected of Company of Heroes ever since it was first announced way back in April of 2005. Well if you have not just skipped all of the above to arrive at this the final paragraph you should know by now that COH is one hell of a game. It may not revolutionise RTS gaming with brand spanking new ideas, but it takes the core mechanics fans of the genre have learned over the years, slightly tweaks them, and wraps them up with deep strategy-based gameplay, amazing art design, epic sound, and amazing graphics to create a 15+ hour RTS tour de force. Relic really has outdone themselves; they have truly created something very special with the labour of love that is Company of Heroes.

ActionTrip (93 out of 100)

When I hear about a company making a World War II RTS, there are only two things that spring to mind: either they are brilliant, or they are goddamn blind and living under a rock. Thankfully for fans of good video games worldwide, the boys and gals at Relic Entertainment are neither blind, nor living under a rock. The simple fact is that Relic has proven one universal truth: no matter how saturated the market may appear at any given time, there is *always* room for improvement. All you need is skill and a clear vision, arguably the most elusive combination of qualities in the industry today.

Jolt (UK) (9.3 out of 10)

Cinematic, intelligently designed and, most importantly of all, fantastically fun to play, Company of Heroes is the new flag-bearer of a genre. Superbly paced with a supreme balance of thoughtful strategy and frantic firefights, the game stands up to repeated play even if you never touch the multiplayer or skirmish modes. Command & Conquer 3 now suddenly has a very high standard to live up to – not just visually, but in pretty much every way an action-packed RTS can possibly excel.

Play.tm (93 out of 100)

The automatic responses of the ground troops are marvellous - hitting cover when drawing fire, adopting appropriate stances and arranging themselves around the terrain frequently in ways better than you could have done yourself. Behind the wheel, however, your troopers are immediately reduced to a level of idiocy not seen since the days of the Tiberium Harvester driver: entire planned blitzkriegs stalled because three truck drivers go for the same one-width opening at the same time and apparently then decided it a point of pride not to reverse when stuck. Additionally, the plot strung between missions is fairly inconsequential. Any other defects to be found are minute, and certainly disappear in comparison to the uniformly excellent quality of the game. Company of Heroes is superb; a perfect blend of intelligent strategy and powerful visceral action, delivering such a natural World War II experience you'll be left wondering if you're even allowed to enjoy it as much as you do.

Atomic Gamer (93 out of 100)

Put all this together, and it certainly adds a lot to the standard WW2 RTS. You'll have to issue orders to whole squads at a time and they'll usually figure out the best way to attack whatever they're up against, while you'll still be wondering if it's better to bring in the mortar team or start with a camouflaged sniper first. There's just the right amount of micromanagement to start without feeling like you're "fixing" bad AI by controlling every single movement. Maybe when players get far better at this game they'll start to micromanage anyway, but the important part is that it doesn't feel like it's necessary after only a couple of hours of play.

Game Informer Magazine (9.25 out of 10)

There’s nothing quite like seeing your last squad of airborne commandos pinned down behind a rapidly disintegrating wooden wagon under heavy fire, and wondering how long before your reinforcements arrive. If I’m to muster up a complaint, it’s that during the thick of a big battle, there weren’t always enough visual cues to tell me what type of unit I had selected and weaponry they had equipped. But if that’s my biggest concern – oh man, you’ve got to check this game out.

Gamernode (9.2 out of 10)

Any lingering problems, such as poor framerates at some points, are basically non-existent with what Company of Heroes fully establishes. In the end,Company of Heroes is easily the best RTS title of 2006, and it will take a lot for someone to top it. Relic continues to redefine themselves as a top RTS developer, and with two solid franchises under their belt, they're up there with Blizzard as the masters of the genre. The gameplay is widely addictive and chaotic in Company of Heroes, and that's something you don't see very often in RTS titles these days. Trust me, I always smile when I see bodies flop around after a well-placed grenade, and you will too. Don't make a mistake by not picking this title up, especially if you like RTS games.

Gamer 2.0 (9.2 out of 10)

Company of Heroes doesn’t reinvent the real-time strategy formula, as some may have hoped. Then again, the reinvention of something that works so well is but a pipe dream for most designers, who are creating some incredible experiences within the tenets of established genre conventions. That’s not to say that Company of Heroes isn’t innovative, for it certainly puts together a living, breathing battleground in which units behave intelligently and, under dire situations, unpredictably. To put it in the simplest terms, this is an example of real-time strategy done right. It’s a blast to play, and a game whose merits any gamer or WWII buff can appreciate.

Gamezoom (92 out of 100)

Gibt es eigentlich bei Company of Heroes negative Aspekte auch? Auf die Schnelle fallen mir eigentlich keine ein. Der Referenztitel von THQ zeichnet sich einfach durch eine realistische Grafik, atemberaubende Klänge des Schlachtfelds und eine geschickte KI des Gegners aus. Die einzigen Mankos im Spiel wären die Kampagnen, die ihr nach ein paar Tagen durchgespielt hat, bzw. schade dass in Company of Heroes die deutschen Soldaten nicht spielbar sind. Das Ganze ist aber noch für ein Add-On offen?! Also Jungs von Relic Entertainment, wenn ihr unseren Test liest, wäre das gleich ein Anliegen. Meiner Meinung nach kann sich Company of Heroes schon jetzt mit dem Titel „Strategiespiel des Jahres krönen“.

Gameplay (Benelux) (90 out of 100)

Met Company of Heroes levert Relic zijn derde instant classic RTS-game af. Kopen en intens van genieten is ons advies.

Gamer.nl (9 out of 10)

Jullie denken waarschijnlijk bij het zien van de screenshots bij deze review aan de zoveelste Tweede Wereldoorlog game. Weer zo’n spel dat niets nieuws te bieden heeft, totaal geen diepgang met zich meebrengt en eigenlijk compleet overbodig is. Ja, ik heb jullie wel door. Welnu, jullie zitten fout! Ik presenteer jullie daarom met gepaste trots dé RTS van 2006: Company of Heroes.

2404.org PC Gaming (9 out of 10)

Given all of the above, what does one need to know to make an intelligent decision on Company of Heroes? Firstly, the graphics are outstanding and these visuals are supported by above average voice acting, appropriate background music, and sound work that differentiates between the sounds of different weapons. No, the ground does not shake with the ominous sound of approaching heavy armor nor is the terror of incoming 88s shelling replicated here, but it’s close enough for government work.

JeuxVideoPC.com (18 out of 20)

Les jeux sur la Seconde Guerre Mondiale se suivent et se ressemblent. Depuis maintenant deux ou trois ans, un véritable déferlement de STR sur le thème des années 40 défilent un à un sur nos PC, plus ou moins proches de la réalité historique et plus ou moins mauvais. Quand Relic, les excellents développeurs de Dawn of War ou du mythique Homeworld 2, ont annoncé que leur prochain jeu de Stratégie en Temps Réel porterait sur le débarquement américain, c’est avec suspicion que nombre de joueurs ont porté attention au projet. Las, il ne fallait pas sous-estimer l’équipe américaine, qui nous produit ici rien moins que le meilleur STR de l’année.

FOK!games (90 out of 100)

Company of Heroes is werkelijk een geweldige game geworden. Elke zichzelf respecterende strategyfan moet de game gewoon een keer spelen. In een tijd dat RTS-games zo ontzettend veel op elkaar zijn gaan lijken weet dit spel er tussenuit te springen en hoog boven de rest te staan.

PC Action (Germany) (90 out of 100)

Ich hatte große Bedenken, ob mich das arg strapazierte Szenario Zweiter Weltkrieg noch begeistern kann, aber die Entwickler von Relic Entertainment haben mich mit Company of Heroes eines Besseren belehrt. Ich kann mich nicht erinnern, wann mich ein Strategiespiel zuletzt dermaßen gepackt hat. Die unvergleichliche Spannung und die durchaus intelligent und realitätsnah agierenden Gegner verdienen ein dickes Lob! Kein Wunder, dass ich gern noch weitere Kampagnen hätte. Aber wozu gibt es schließlich Add-ons?

PC Powerplay (90 out of 100)

"Nicht schon wieder Zweiter Weltkrig ..." Das war mein erster Gedanke, als ich Company of Heroes das erste Mal gesehen habe. In diesem Fall aber gebe ich gerne zu, dass ich mit meinen Befürchtungen komplett daneben lag. Denn Relic liefert nicht nur ein hervorragendes Strategiespiel mit motivierender Kampgne, Top-Grafik und dem perfekten Touch Realismus ab (komplett zerstörbare Levels, Vehikel mit Trefferzonen). Vielmehr haben die Macher die Weltkriegs-Atmospähre perfekt und pathosfrei eingefangen. Gerade die gelungene Inszenierung ist für mich der Hauptgrund, warum das Spiel den Sprung über die 90er-Hürde schafft. Denn immerhin gelingt Relic das beachtliche Kunststück, ein reichlich ausgelutschtes Szenario mit neuem Leben zu füllen.

GameSpot (9 out of 10)

Company of Heroes is a visually stunning real-time strategy game that depicts all the violent chaos of World War II with uncommon intensity. Set during the invasion of Normandy toward the end of the war, Company of Heroes takes its cues from Saving Private Ryan, by portraying both the sheer brutality of the war as well as the humanity of its combatants. Many other recent WWII games have also drawn influence from Steven Spielberg's landmark film, but Company of Heroes is even more graphic. This and the game's highly authentic-looking presentation are its distinguishing features, and it boasts some frantic, well-designed strategic and tactical combat to match.

Jeuxvideo.com (18 out of 20)

C'est bien simple, Company of Heroes est la nouvelle référence en matière de jeu de stratégie se déroulant pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Bien réalisé, à la campagne solo accrocheuse, au gameplay parfaitement réglé et au multijoueur passionnant, le titre de Relic Entertainment redéfinit de nouveaux standards de qualité. Seul regret, le contenu qui aurait pu être plus consistant. On aurait apprécié un mode multijoueur plus riche en options et la présence d'une seconde campagne dans laquelle on aurait contrôlé les troupes de l'Axe.

Maximum PC (9 out of 10)

Even if you’re tired of WWII games, Company of Heroes is worth playing. It’s undoubtedly one of the best strategy games ever released. There are few better ways to spend 50 dollars.

NZGamer (9 out of 10)

In the end, what you get is a product that is worth buying for the experience itself. The technical and aesthetic aspects of the game are very well done, but until expansion packs are released to open a wider scope of single-player content, you will not be playing this often after a few days, once you exhaust the available scenarios and maps available. The game deserves a sequel, fingers are crossed that the wait won't be too long.

Game Informer Magazine (9 out of 10)

On the down side, several overly scripted single-player missions keep the campaign from being much more than average. Also, the aforementioned need to keep an eye on the entire map is sometimes a chore due to the standard-fare RTS control. Outside of this (and the done-to-death subject matter), there’s very little not to love in Company of Heroes. Anyone who owns a gaming PC will be well served by this outstanding effort.

AceGamez (9 out of 10)

For once, Company of Heroes feels less like a game attempting to sell itself on a popular theme that seems guaranteed to make a buck, and more like a great game that just happens to use a tried and tested point of history for its setting. Company of Heroes is a fast paced arcade action strategy whose tendencies towards realism often make it feel as cinematically intense as any first person shooter - it might be yet another WWII game but it's definitely one of the best.

GameCell UK (9 out of 10)

With this said it is a strategy game, you are required to have the dexterity of a cat, the speed of a gazelle and the multitasking ability of your Mum in order to excel at it. While you may not have time to think about how much fun you are having mid game, rest assured, you are having fun. When you finish a mission or skirmish and you wipe the sweat from your brow you’ll look back and realise that you’ve never played anything like that before. You’ve never been so engrossed, so committed to your objectives and so concerned for your boys. If you buy this game you won’t regret it for a second, seriously, you won’t have time to.

All Game Guide ( )

CoH sets a high standard for future RTS games in execution, tone, and sheer style.

Gamesmania.de (90 out of 100)

Was Company of Heroes für ein Feuerwerk allein technisch auf dem Bildschirm abbrennt ist absolute Genrespitze. Doch auch spielerisch ist Relics RTS-Game dank weiterentwickeltem Dawn of War-Mechanik herausragend und bietet eine Vielzahl an taktischen Finessen. Einziger Kritikpunkt ist dann auch die mit 15 Missionen zu kurze Solo-Kampagne, hier wären ein paar weitere Einsätze - vielleicht auf Seiten der Deutschen – sicherlich machbar gewesen. So wird es aber sicherlich wie bei Dawn of War regelmäßig Addons geben. Vor allem der Mehrspielermodus erinnert mich an mein All-Time-Favorit Echtzeitstrategiespiel „Z“ von den Bitmap Brothers, die Eroberung der Sektoren und deren Verteidigung läuft in Company of Heroes genauso actionreich und hektisch ab wie im Klassiker. Letztlich ist Relics Meisterwerk ein Pflichtkauf für jeden PC-Spieler, sowohl im Solo- als auch im Mehrspielermodus.

Eurogamer.fr (9 out of 10)

Attention, ce jeu est une drogue ! Ce RTS Deuxième Guerre mondiale qui met en scène l’avancée des Américains en Normandie en 1944 offre de nombreuses possibilités tactiques, un mode construction simple et des graphismes époustouflants. Vous ne pouvez tout simplement pas passer à côté que vous soyez fan de ce genre de jeux ou pas. Mais vous êtes prévenus, le temps « informatique » va encore frapper ! Et quand on a terminé la campagne, on la recommence immédiatement au niveau de difficulté supérieur…

Factornews (9 out of 10)

L’attente de Supreme Commander devient pesante ? Prenez Company of Heroes. C’est une réussite sur tous les plans. Sans renouveler totalement le genre, il relègue la concurrence à des kilomètres en arrière grâce à ses mécanismes de jeu pointus, sa réalisation démentielle et une excellente campagne solo. J’ai rarement vu un jeu aussi maîtrisé, fignolé et abouti. Un grand bravo à Relic !

JeuxActu (18 out of 20)

En un mot comme en cent, il n’y a pas d’hésitation à avoir : Company of Heroes est le jeu de stratégie de guerre du moment, le RTS qu'il faut absolument posséder si l'on est amateur du genre, tout simplement. Jusqu’à présent, le terme "à grand spectacle" était réservé au cinéma. Avec Company of Heroes, le terme "jeu à grand spectacle" n’est plus une hérésie.

FZ ( )

Min inledande tvekan visade sig med andra ord vara helt obefogad. Company of Heroes är ett riktigt bra och kul spel med fantastisk grafik och ljudeffekter som för tankarna till skyttegravar, pansarvagnar och annat otrevligt. Uppdragen är välkonstruerade och roliga med många olika objektiv att uppnå, samtidigt som spelet är relativt lättlärt för gemene gamer. Utan att ta i kan jag klart konstatera att detta är ett av årets bästa RTS-spel och något som varje gamer med lite självrespekt bör ha i sin spelsamling. Company of Heroes överlever skyttegravarna. Och inte nog med det – det får en stor, prålig hedersmedalj med sig hem.

Netjak (9 out of 10)

As you might have noticed, despite being both an RTS and a WWII game, I enjoyed Company of Heroes quite a bit. The somewhat short single-player campaign does have a few missions that aren't quite as good as the others, but the others are undeniably great, and certainly stand out among all the RTS games I have played. A fun multiplayer mode and an overall level of polish combine to make this not only a game for RTS fans, but also for any gamers looking for something that actually feels new and—most importantly—is actually fun.

PC Games (Germany) (90 out of 100)

Fantastisch! Relic Entertainment hat das geschafft, was andere Entwickler seit Jahren nicht hinbekommen: Ein anspruchsvolles Taktik-Spiel mit einer guten KI und stimmungsvoller Hintergrundgeschichte zu kombinieren. Kaum eine Minute vergeht, in der ich als erfahrener Taktiker nicht gefordert bin. Und die Gegner-KI gehört aktuell zum Besten, was das Genre zu bieten hat. Bereits von mir eroberte Gebiete werden nicht einfach aufgegeben, sondern nach Möglichkeit vom Computergegner zurückerobert. Zudem hat mich die Story absolut in ihren Bann gezogen. Vor allem, weil Company of Heroes - genau wie die Fernsehserie Band of Brothers - auf überzogenen Patriotismus verzichtet. Gut so! Schade ist nur, dass im Spiel lediglich eine Kampagne auf Seiten der Alliierten geboten wird. Missionen für die Achsenmächte fehlen völlig. Warum nicht ein paar Gefechte auf Seiten der Deutschen austragen?

JagoGame.com (9 out of 10)

Setelah lama ditunggu-tunggu, akhirnya game Company Of Heroes telah dirilis dan sudah tersedia di toko-toko game terdekat di kota Anda. Pada saat Anda membaca preview game ini, menunjukan bahwa Company Of Heroes dari Relic merupakan sebuah game yang sangat menjanjikan.

Gameplanet ( )

Company of Heroes is a fabulous game which offers hours of entertainment. The campaign is an exercise of patience and tactical skill: the skirmish game hones these skills, while online play challenges you against the best in the world. If you have an interest in RTS games then this one is a must-have, and we are willing to bet that this will be a front runner for RTS game of the year.

videogamer.com (9 out of 10)

However, these gripes are easily forgiven when taken in the context of the game as a whole. Company of Heroes reinvigorates the sub-genre of the World War II real-time strategy game, and its confidence in its own excellence is aptly demonstrated in the very first few minutes of play. Most World War II games place the fabled Omaha Beach assault as the centrepiece of the title - here it's merely the opening gambit, tempting you with the delights to come. With game mechanics that have been pared and honed almost to perfection, plus arguably the most accessible of game settings, Company of Heroes' combination of heart-pounding action, visceral presentation and emergent tactics not so much raises the bar for RTS games but twists it into knots and blasts it into orbit. And coming from someone who'd rather pay a visit to the dentist than play another RTS, that's quite a compliment - so what are you waiting for? Join Able Company today!

GamingTrend (537 out of 600)

All of the game's elements come together to give you an amazing view of the battlefield of World War II. While I'm certain that battlefield commanders from that era didn't have such instant information and control over the units under their command, the game does a wonderful job of limiting you to a WWII level of information. Combine that with the well thought out interface, and you have a winner!

Game Over Online (88 out of 100)

A good game, but not a great game. It’s not the second coming; depending on your personal spin it’s probably not the best RTS ever; it’s not the game that is going to re-energize the RTS genre. I keep coming back in my mind to the phrase “evolutionary not revolutionary” no matter how overused and hackneyed it sounds.

GameSpot (Belgium/Netherlands) (88 out of 100)

De laadtijden zijn wat aan de lange kant en het game telt maar twee strijdmachten, maar voor het overige is er helemaal niets aan te merken op deze indrukwekkende titel. Zowel gameplay als presentatie zijn nooit gezien in het genre.

GameStar (Germany) (87 out of 100)

Ich fordere, dass im Wörterbuch hinter dem, Begriff "Spektakel" ein Bild von Company of Heroes abgedruckt wird. Denn Relics Weltkriegs-Hit hat sich dieses Prädikat verdient: Die Schlachten sind so intensiv, so flott, so fesselnd, dass sie stets aufs Neue motivieren. Das liegt nicht nur an der Präsentation, sondern auch an der guten KI. Die hat zwar auch Macken, nutzt aber oft schlau die Schwachstellen in meiner Verteidigung aus. So wogen die Gefechte stets hin und her, Verschnaufspausen sind rar. Klar, das führt schnell zu Hektik, doch der hohe Staunfaktor entschädigt dafür locker.

4Players.de (85 out of 100)

Packend. Explosiv. Taktisch. Company of Heroes fackelt ein unheimlich intensives Stakkato an Explosionen, Feuersalven und Rauchfontänen ab. Und trotz dieser dynamischen Action, die zugunsten des Spektakels hier und da auf realistischen Anspruch verzichtet, bleibt das Spielerlebnis ein angenehm forderndes und dichtes: Das ohnehin schon gute Gerüst der Truppen-Aufrüstung und der geschickten Positionseroberung aus Warhammer: Dawn of War wurde übernommen und um sinnvolle Elemente erweitert.

Computer Bild Spiele (1.8 out of 6)

Der Zweite Weltkrieg und besonders die Landung in der Normandie waren schon häufig Thema von Computerspielen. Die Handlung im Spiel bietet also nur wenig Neues. Company of Heroes ist jedoch eine Offenbarung für alle Strategiespielfans. Es fährt erstklassige Grafik und fantastischen Sound auf und lässt sich komfortabel steuern. Dazu kommt, dass Krieg in diesem Spiel weder verherrlicht noch verharmlost wird. Und das ist „gut“ so.

Game Revolution (B+)

While it sports some classic RTS flaws, the speedy gameplay and dynamic strategy really push things forward. With Company of Heroes, Relic shows us once again that war is hell, but it makes for gaming heaven.

Games TM (8 out of 10)

It's testament to Relic's experience, expertise and endeavours that it has managed to make Company of Heroes so distinctive from any other wartime RTS. It's hardly enough to form a sub-genre, but it's refreshing enough to craft its own niche within the RTS market.

Micro Hebdo N/A

Bref, malgré une campagne solo un peu courte, Company of Heroes se pose comme la nouvelle référence du genre.