Company of Heroes – Tales of Valor

CoH ToV

The PC game Company of Heroes - Tales of Valor was recently released in the early part of April 2009.  This is a real-time strategy game based on World War II.  This game is rated mature due to the graphic nature of its content and use of language.

This is not an expansion pack and not a sequel.  Command the troops, plan invasions and win new campaigns keep the focus of this army based game.

The game is impressive in its use of true physics and how individual characters interact with their surroundings.  You can use buildings and the actual terrain to gain an advantage on your opponents.  Each soldier comes to life as they hide under brush or scale objects to overtake their enemies.  There is a concept of a super soldier that does not seem realistic at any time and may turn some players off.

The game does not waste its time on building and stockpiling resources.  However for those who do enjoy this type of game, there is a mode that allows you to build your troops and tanks.  You gain experience and technique through every battle that is fought and won. The realistic game play is felt even down to the cannoneer that pauses to switch out artillery shells or roll your tank across rough terrain looking to flush out your enemies.  Do not forget your foot soldiers because they will often be the key to winning many campaigns.

The programmers have included direct fire control in this expansion pack.  This will allow you to aim your mouse and redirect your fire to different targets.  There are mixed reviews about using direct fire.  Some gamers feel that a game will rely on the direct fire too much and basically render the game’s IA extremely dumb and codependent.  Others feel that direct fire is useless because the computer can outmaneuver a gamer’s gunfire.  The option is there and it will be up to the consumer to decide what to do.  And as with the original, the explosions and destruction are a graphic utopia.

You are getting bigger and better toys with the expansion pack; however you getting a different style of game play.  The game play is refocused on the multiplayer factor.  There are three types of multi-play available, Stonewall, Assault and Panzerkrieg.  Panzerkrieg seems to be the most popular.  This allows everyone to inside one tank to pummel the enemy.  Stonewall is you and another player holding a position as troop after troop attack trying to retake your position.  Assault mode is cooperative game play with the goal to overtake the position that your enemy has already staked out and claimed.

Many of those who have already played this game have given it an above average rating and feel that it does a lot better than its competitors.

Tags: company of heroes, tales of valor