For those of you who do not know about Company of Heroes Online, it is a free-to-play version of the great WWII strategy game, Company of Heroes, now with Hero Units, more unit upgrades and variations of the original doctrines.
When Company of Heroes was released in 2006, it shook the Strategy Gaming world showing how beauty and incredible game play can be combined. Four years on, and Company of Heroes still seems flawless for today’s standards, maintaining interest through the standalone expansion packs, making the game still popular today.
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| The Beautiful COH game play that we know and love |
But Relic’s attention is now focused on something else. Rather than risk failing to meet expectations with a sequel, Company of Heroes: Online was released, a free-to-play MMO variation of the game. This “new” game uses the same game engine and units than the original, but adds a whole new element to the game with Hero units and Army Items, which are unit upgrades and bonuses to help in the battle.
So what do these new things do? Hero Units are variations of regular units(such as riflemen) who level up through gaining experience on the battlefield. As they gain levels, they gain bonuses, such as small accuracy and health bonuses. While you can only have one of the same hero unit out at a time, if they are ever killed you may simply build them again and they will have the same amount of experience as when they died.
Army items provide small bonuses to a certain type of unit. This can include armour bonuses, health bonuses etc. The bonuses are relatively small but can make a difference in the long run.
While at first you may think this could tip the balance of the game, through further analysis I do not believe that it does. Both the Wermacht and the American Army have similar Hero Units and Army items, so this does not change much. Even using none of these items against someone who uses many can still result in an easy victory.
Of course, being free-to-play, it comes with a levelling and purchasing system. Army items and Heros cam be earnt through winning and losing battles, but they can also be purchased from the Company of Heroes Online Store. There are two methods that they can be purchased, the first being through “supply”, which is gained through playing battles. The Second is by paying real money.
This could seem to remove all balance of the game by putting power into those that pay, but the reality is quite different. All items are very affordable if you play enough games, and there are no “exclusive” items if you pay real money. And as mentioned before, they are only small bonuses, so victory once again comes down to tactics.
So while this game offers something refreshingly different, it still maintains balance and immersive elements of the “original” Company of Heroes. Although it is very similar to the original, it is enough to keep me entertained until Company of Heroes 2 is released.
Until Next time,
Condottieri.
(And don’t worry experienced Company of Heroes Players, there is a bonus for you in the form of Loyalty Packs, as well as more inexperienced opponents to beat!)
