Company of Heroes 3 Worth It? Solo & Multiplayer

Yes, Company of Heroes 3 is worth buying for solo players who enjoy dynamic, tactical RTS campaigns, and for multiplayer players who want a solid, if not genre-redefining, competitive RTS. However, its value depends heavily on your tolerance for a rocky launch state and a campaign that splits opinion. This article breaks down both sides of the experience so you can decide if it fits your library.

Background: From Relic’s Return to the Front

Developed by Relic Entertainment, the studio behind the original Company of Heroes and Age of Empires IV, Company of Heroes 3 launched in February 2023 on PC. It marks the series’ return to the iconic World War II setting after the spin-off Company of Heroes 2. The game was designed with two distinct single-player modes—a classic linear campaign and a new dynamic “Total War” style map—and a fully featured multiplayer suite. Relic’s ambition was to blend the series’ signature squad-based tactics with a broader strategic layer, a promise that has been received with mixed but generally positive reactions.

How the Game Works: Core Mechanics and Modes

At its core, Company of Heroes 3 is a real-time strategy game where you control squads of infantry, vehicles, and support units. Unlike traditional RTS games, it emphasizes cover, flanking, and territory control rather than just resource gathering. The key mechanics include:

• Cover System: Units gain defensive bonuses when behind sandbags, walls, or in buildings. Attacking from the flank or rear negates most of this bonus.
• Territory Control: Capturing and holding strategic points on the map generates resources (Manpower, Munitions, Fuel) and provides tactical advantages.
• Dynamic Campaign: The Italian campaign is a turn-based strategic map where you move armies, manage logistics, and launch operations. Battles are fought in real-time when you engage the enemy.
• Multiplayer: Offers 1v1 to 4v4 matches, with four distinct factions (US Forces, British Forces, Wehrmacht, and Afrika Korps), each with unique units and strategies.

Single-Player: The Italian and North African Campaigns

The solo experience is split into two campaigns. The Italian campaign is the headline feature, blending a turn-based overworld map with real-time battles. You manage multiple army groups, call in naval bombardments, and make strategic choices that affect the overall war effort. This mode is ambitious and offers a lot of variety, but it has been criticized for repetitive side objectives and AI that can be exploited. The North African campaign, in contrast, is a more traditional linear series of missions, focusing on the British 8th Army’s push against Rommel. It is generally considered the stronger of the two, with tighter scripting and more memorable set-piece battles.

Multiplayer: Competitive Depth and Balance

For multiplayer, Company of Heroes 3 delivers the classic Relic formula: tense, micro-intensive skirmishes that reward map awareness and unit preservation. The four factions are well-differentiated, and the game’s meta has evolved with regular balance patches. However, the player base is smaller than that of its predecessor or other major RTS titles like StarCraft II, which can lead to longer matchmaking times in less populated regions. The game also features an in-game replay system and a basic observer mode, but it lacks the robust tournament infrastructure of some competitors. For casual and mid-level competitive players, the multiplayer is solid and enjoyable; for top-tier esports enthusiasts, it may feel slightly lacking in depth compared to the genre’s most refined titles.

Common Problems: Bugs, Performance, and AI

At launch, Company of Heroes 3 suffered from a range of technical issues, including performance stutters, pathfinding bugs, and AI that would sometimes ignore cover or get stuck. Many of these have been addressed through patches, but some persist in certain hardware configurations. The most common ongoing complaints are:

• AI Pathfinding: Units occasionally take inefficient routes or fail to react to obstacles, which can be frustrating in both single and multiplayer.
• Performance: The game is demanding, and even high-end systems may experience frame drops in large battles, especially on the Italian campaign map.
• Balance Issues: While patches have improved balance, some factions and units still feel overpowered in certain matchups, leading to a meta that can feel restrictive.

Comparing to Company of Heroes 2 and Other RTS

If you’ve played Company of Heroes 2, you’ll find the core combat feels familiar but with a more modern sheen. The new campaign structure is the biggest differentiator, offering a level of strategic depth that the previous game lacked. However, some veterans argue that the tactical battles in COH3 lack the same weight and impact as those in COH2, particularly in terms of sound design and visual feedback. Compared to other RTS games like Age of Empires IV or StarCraft II, COH3 is more accessible and less demanding on APM (actions per minute), making it a good entry point for players new to the genre. Yet, it doesn’t have the same level of polish or competitive support as those titles.

Cost and What You Get

Company of Heroes 3 is a premium-priced game, typically retailing at $59.99 for the standard edition. There are also Digital Deluxe and Premium editions that include additional cosmetic skins, an early access period, and a season pass for future content. The game has no subscription fees, and multiplayer is free to play after purchase. However, there are microtransactions for cosmetic items, which do not affect gameplay. Given the amount of content in the single-player campaigns and the active multiplayer community, the base game offers a substantial amount of playtime, but the price may feel steep if you are only interested in one mode.

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re unsure about COH3, consider these alternatives:

• Company of Heroes 2: Often available at a deep discount, it has a more mature meta and a larger player base, though its single-player campaign is less ambitious.
• Men of War II: A more simulation-heavy WWII RTS with destructible environments and direct control of individual soldiers, offering a different flavor of tactical combat.
• Steel Division 2: For players who prefer larger-scale battles with a focus on army composition and timing, this is a strong choice.
• Age of Empires IV: If you want a more traditional RTS with a strong competitive scene and a well-polished single-player, this is a safer bet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Company of Heroes 3 still active in 2024?

Yes, the game has a dedicated player base, though it is smaller than COH2’s. Relic continues to release balance patches and occasional updates, and you can find matches in most regions, especially in the 2v2 and 3v3 modes.

Can I play Company of Heroes 3 on a laptop?

Yes, but the game is demanding. You’ll need a dedicated GPU with at least 4GB of VRAM, 16GB of RAM, and a modern quad-core CPU to run it at medium settings. Integrated graphics are not sufficient for a smooth experience.

Is the Italian campaign worth playing?

It’s a mixed bag. The strategic layer is engaging, but the repetitive side missions can become tedious. If you enjoy grand strategy elements, it’s worth trying, but the North African campaign offers a more focused and polished experience.

Does Company of Heroes 3 have crossplay?

No, there is no crossplay between PC and console versions. The console versions were released later and have their own separate player base.

What are the system requirements for Company of Heroes 3?

Minimum requirements include a GTX 1060 or RX 570, 8GB of RAM, and a Ryzen 5 1400 or i5-6600. Recommended specs are a GTX 2070 or RX 5700 XT, 16GB of RAM, and a Ryzen 7 2700X or i7-8700K.

Related

• Python Integer Identity: Why It Varies by Run
• Can Technology Solve Poverty? Facts & Limits
• Cannot Detect Device? Fixes for USB & Bluetooth