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The three new campaigns are
# Tiger Ace: Putting you in control of a German Tiger tank rampaging through British forces in an attempt to capture a town in France.
# Causeway: Controlling a small group of American paratroopers just after the initial drop on D-Day, attempting to take a key location.
# Falaise Pocket: Attempt to hold off the advancing allied forces trying to cut off German troops using a small group of Wehrmacht soldiers.
The changes to tactics are more evident in the Falaise Pocket campaign, since in the other two you have virtually no control over unit creation or resource collection. There are still resource control points, but only a couple. Instead of base building and upgrading to access new units, you now take control of garrison buildings, giving access to new unit types at the barracks.A new feature in the game is a much touted 'Direct Fire' where you can take control over the targeting of individual units, usually heavy weapons. In reality this sounds good, however this only works when you can't see enemy units and you're blind firing or trying to catch units by surprise as they advance.The main thrust of Tales Of Valor has to be the online aspect-
# Assault: Is where two entrenched sides have to 'go over the top' in an attempt to win the day.# Panzerkrieg: Gives you a tank v tank scenario with unique upgrades available for the different armoured units.
# Stonewall: Sees four players defending a town against overwhelming AI assault.These online games are certainly the better part of what Tales Of Valor is about, exciting and tough battles abound either battling alongside or against your fellow gamers. The maps included, include those from the older versions, so if you want the intensive resource battles... you can have them.Graphics have always been a solid point in Company Of Heroes titles and there's no change here, pretty much the entire map can be used for cover, crashed through in tanks or blown up by grenades, shells or bombs, even the craters made can be utilised for cover. Where Tales Of Valor trips slightly is a move from cut-scenes and impressive looks into a cartoon style storyboard look which, whilst still advancing the storyline just doesn't make it as enthralling to view.Sound effects are music are, as to expected, thin on the ground with it being both an RTS and a World War II one at that. But what is there works well and certainly adds to the atmosphere overall.So, is this a worthwhile advance for the Company Of Heroes franchise? Only if you are looking for multi-player gaming, since the meagre single player options of three missions per campaign (if you can call it that) is wholly inadequate and rather frustrating that you just get into the right frame of mind and it's over. That this is such a small game in length and the pricing of it has to be put down as a good online game, that isn't really worth the cost... as there are better games for only a bit more money.