8 /10 12

Company of Heroes 3 stands as the definitive entry in the storied RTS franchise, seamlessly integrating real-time battles with turn-based strategic campaign management. Achieving an 81 Metacritic score across 18 major reviews, the game demonstrates remarkable polish across dual campaigns covering North African and Italian theaters of World War II. Developer Relic Entertainment abandons empire-building scope in favor of focused, tactical warfare where every squad positioning decision impacts battlefield outcomes. This review examines how Company of Heroes 3 redefines real-time strategy through destructible environments, dynamic tactics, and cohesive RTS-campaign integration.

How to Play Company of Heroes 3

Company of Heroes 3 alternates between turn-based campaign map management and intense real-time tactical battles. Command companies of soldiers, construct defensive positions, manage supply lines, and execute devastating tactical maneuvers during real-time engagements. Combat success hinges on terrain utilization, squad formation awareness, and tactical positioning rather than unit quantity.

1. Controls – Mouse-driven interface with hotkeys for squad abilities; responsive camera controls for tracking battlefield action; minimal learning curve for RTS veterans
2. Progression – Upgrade companies between battles with ammunition, personnel, and specialized equipment; unlock new abilities through progression trees
3. Combat/Mechanics – Real-time tactical battles emphasizing positioning, cover utilization, line-of-sight mechanics, and coordinated squad movements; destructible environments fundamentally alter tactical approaches
4. Tips – Pause mid-battle using spacebar to queue commands; leverage destructible cover for tactical advantages; manage supply resources carefully to unlock essential support units

Who Should Play Company of Heroes 3

Company of Heroes 3 appeals to tactical-minded players seeking cerebral, squad-level RTS gameplay balanced with strategic campaign management. Campaign accessibility accommodates newcomers while competitive multiplayer rewards mastery through deep mechanical understanding.

• Tactical RTS Enthusiasts – Appreciate squad-based positioning, terrain utilization, and dynamic cover systems that reward thoughtful unit placement
• World War II History Buffs – Engage with authentic Mediterranean theater representation alongside compelling campaign narratives
• Strategy Purists – Prefer deliberate tactical decision-making over fast-paced action or resource management complexity
• Skip if – You prefer grand empire building, real-time tactical gameplay without strategic layers, or fantasy/sci-fi settings over historical accuracy

Company of Heroes 3 Platform Performance

Company of Heroes 3 delivers exceptional performance consistency across platforms utilizing Relic’s Essence Engine. Campaign gameplay emphasizes turn-based pacing eliminating frame-rate sensitivity, while tactical battles maintain stable performance through aggressive optimization. Console versions scale graphically without compromising tactical responsiveness.

Company of Heroes 3 System Requirements

PC players require modern mid-range hardware to achieve optimal performance. System requirements scale gracefully, enabling smooth campaign play on older processors while supporting 4K ultra-settings on contemporary rigs. The 40GB installation accommodates extensive campaign maps and multiplayer battlefields.

Similar Games to Company of Heroes 3

The RTS genre offers tactically sophisticated alternatives emphasizing different warfare philosophies and scales. These titles share Company of Heroes 3’s focus on deliberate tactical decision-making while introducing distinct campaign structures and unit mechanics.

• StarCraft II – Real-time sci-fi RTS emphasizing mechanical mastery and competitive multiplayer; lacks campaign depth of Company of Heroes 3
• Total War: Warhammer III – Grand strategy combined with real-time tactical battles; significantly larger campaign scope with fantasy elements
• Age of Empires IV – Historical RTS prioritizing resource management and civilization tech trees; less emphasis on tactical positioning than Company of Heroes 3
• Company of Heroes 2 – Predecessor emphasizing squad-level tactics; lacks turn-based campaign mode and destructible environment innovations

Company of Heroes 3 vs Competitors

Company of Heroes 3 differentiates itself through superior tactical depth, innovative destruction systems, and seamless RTS-campaign integration. While competitors offer larger campaign scopes or faster-paced competitive gameplay, Company of Heroes 3’s focused approach to tactical warfare creates the most cohesive RTS experience.

Company of Heroes 3 Story and World

Company of Heroes 3 presents two distinct campaign narratives set within authentic World War II Mediterranean theaters. The North African Operation follows the Axis campaign with limited narrative depth, serving primarily as tactical training ground. The Italian campaign delivers substantially more sophisticated storytelling, tracking Allied forces through dynamic strategic situations where supply lines, reinforcement chains, and territorial control drive genuine strategic consequences. The destructible environments grant visual representation to campaign progression; captured territories transform visually, and conquered settlements display war damage accumulation. While historical accuracy occasionally yields to gameplay balance, the overall atmosphere authentically captures Mediterranean theater warfare through compelling campaign narratives centered on tactical decision-making rather than scripted plot developments.

Company of Heroes 3 Multiplayer and Online

Company of Heroes 3 emphasizes competitive multiplayer depth through balanced factions, destructible maps, and sophisticated unit mechanics. Cross-platform support enables fluid multiplayer experiences while dedicated servers ensure performance stability. Ranked ladder systems accommodate both casual and competitive play.

• Multiplayer Skirmish – Up to 8 players across multiple map configurations; supports 1v1, team, and free-for-all configurations
• Cooperative Versus AI – Team gameplay against challenging AI opponents; excellent introduction to multiplayer without competitive pressure
• Cross-Play Enabled – PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox players compete together seamlessly; unified matchmaking system
• Seasonal Content – Rotating competitive seasons, cosmetic rewards, and map refreshes maintain ongoing engagement

Company of Heroes 3 DLC and Expansions

Company of Heroes 3 maintains aggressive post-launch content strategy delivering new factions, units, and gameplay mechanics through expanded Battlegroup systems. Relic Entertainment prioritizes balance alongside content delivery, ensuring seasonal additions enhance rather than dominate competitive environments.

• Endure & Defy DLC – Latest content pack (November 2025) introducing four faction-specific Battlegroups with unique units and abilities
• Scarlet Bison Update – Free companion update with 2,000+ new voiceover lines, tank-riding mechanics improvements, and pathfinding refinements
• Multiple Seasonal Battlegroups – Rotating specialized unit configurations altering faction playstyles between ranked seasons
• Free Map Rotations – Continuous new multiplayer battlefields enabling fresh competitive experiences

Company of Heroes 3 Community and Support

The Company of Heroes 3 community maintains passionate engagement through official channels, Discord communities, and competitive tournaments. Relic Entertainment demonstrates exceptional responsiveness to balance concerns, implementing regular patches addressing community feedback. Modding support enables content creation despite publisher’s policing of competitive integrity.

• Official Forums – Relic developers maintain active presence; balance discussions occur transparently with detailed patch rationales
• Community Platforms – Reddit communities exceed 100,000 subscribers; Discord servers coordinate competitive tournaments and casual play
• Competitive Esports – Organized professional tournaments with developer support; community ladder systems providing ranked progression
• Update Cadence – Monthly balance patches, quarterly content seasons, and transparent roadmap ensuring continuous engagement