If at all u are not much into stratergy games then COH is the perfect game to pull u towards stratergy games..
THE REVIEW
PROS: Stunning graphics
Simply superb sound effects voice acing with some funny dialogs
Completely destructible environment
Best gameplay till date
Great multiplayer community
CONS: Comparitively long load times
Only two factions
Issues with dx10 only with the cut scenes though.
COH is an RTS set in World War II. COH is built on relic's Essence Engine and also utilizes the Havok Physics Engine. COH is easily one of the greatest games not only in RTS but also when u compare it with other genres just because of its absolutely stunning looks and intense gameplay and sleek presentation..
COH has only two playable factions- AXIS and ALLIES ie the Americans and Germans. In COH we play only as ABLE COMPANY through out the single player campaign and our primary aim is to drive the GERMANS out of Normandy.. The single player campaign will take around 10-15 hrs depending on the difficulty.. Though we play only as the Allies we can also take control of the Axis faction during the skirmish matches and online.. And the axis faction is fairly different from allies even though the weapons at hand is similar. COH works like other RTS games do, by putting us in charge of base construction, resource gathering, and tactical command of various military forces.
The gameplay is an area where COH really scores. u start with a Headquarters from where we can build structures and produce enggineers and other squad members.. The map is mainly divided into territoris and in order to capture a territorry we will have to capture its corresponding strategic point. the resoureces are divided into 3 they are manpower,fuel and munitions.. These are automatically increased as wu capture more and more fuel, munitions and strategic points. These resources are used to generate squad members, produce tankers and other vehicles.. And using cover is another important concept in COH.. As without using or building proper cover for ur soldiers it would be nearly impossible to beat the enemies at higher difficulty. On the whole the gameplay is simply superb and if u have played Dawn Of War earlier then u will be able to notice the similarities in the gameplay. And even if u have not played Dawn Of War learing to play this game is a piece of cake because of its superb tutorial which is not a surprise as all games from relic provide awesome tutorials..
The graphics in COH is nothing less than breathtaking.. From the character animations to the marks of the bullet left on a building structure is taken care of really well.. The vehicle models and the lighting effects are also praise worthy.. The explosions look stunning.. And ya this game is kind of a system hog.. If u need to enjoy this game with all of its eye candy then u will need a 7800 or greater card.. The sound effects are also great.. The guns sound simply superb so does the tankers and the machine guns.. The voice acting is also done really well with some really funny dialogs.. the game looks great on both dx9 and dx10 although the cutscenes do suffer from cropping in dx10.. On the whole thos game is really an eye candy and u can literally feel how violent the world war can get.
The game is not all that difficult on the default difficulty.. But u also cannot rush ur forces as you will have to ocationally hold back strenghten ur forces and then advance.. The AI is also pretty smart who also retreat when they feel they are being overpowered. They retreat and get back up. So the game is not all that easy but once u get a hang of it u will love every min of it..
The multiplayer facilities provided by COH is really good. Well lets face it no other genre other than FPS can provide excellent multiplayer but having said that COH is not far behind the FPS genre as far as Online community is concerned.. COH provides excellent online fun.. The lack of factions might just get to u when online but even with the two factions you can have hell a lot of fun becuse of its intense gameplay..
Overall Company Of Heroes is one of those must have games irrespective of the fact that u love strategy or no. It provides excellent graphics, superb gameplay and exciting online play ,what more can u ask?? Company Of Heroes is easily the best World War 2 RTS and m sure no game till date has beat the standards set by this GEM.. And to produce a game better than COH will be one hell of a task.. Double thumbs up to relic..
ONE ADVICE: JUST GET THIS GAME.. THINK NO FURTHER