Company of Soldiers - Hands On

[Nick]

Relic are the guys behind the rather good Dawn of War RTS and now they've turned their attention to realistic World War 2 combat... the result is Company of Heroes and we were allowed a play...

The quality of programming here shows through in a big way and Relic have taken the time to make sure that the game world is as realistic as possible. Sure, let your guy take cover behind that wooden cart, but don’t forget that carts aren’t any match for a couple of grenades and an MG42 chuntering away… it’ll soon be matchwood and your guy’ll be dead. That’s what happens in real life and so that’s what happens in Company of Heroes

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[Dougal]

What kinda specs we looking at for this one Nick?

[TiG]

I'm droooling at this, if its as good as what you give the impression it is.....

A decent campaign mode like homeworld with any sort of supply/ reward system and i'm going to be well pleased

TiG

[Nick]

Dougal, specs wise I'm not sure, I'll see if I can get an answer on that one today... but if the guys aren't there, it'll have to wait for an email.

TiG, it certainly plays well and feels like playing episodes of Band of Brothers or scenes from Saving Private Ryan. I had a very satisfying moment where I laid down masses of suppressing fire on an MG42 set up in a window, then I snuck a couple of engineers up until they were in defilade of the machine gun. Then I got my guys to hunker down and stop firing so my engineer could run up and lob a satchel charge in the window... very satisfying.

Details on the resource collection are very sketchy atm, Relic are working on a system that doesn't detract from the realism of the game... quite what that is, whether it be capturing ammo and fuel dumps or securing and holding strategic points, is not finalised yet.

There will be a base building side to things, along the lines of setting up a CP etc and defending it with MG nests and bazooka squads etc. but again, this is in the process of being finalised.

But yes, I'm quietly looking forward to this one too.