Company of Heroes 2 Overview

Company of Heroes 2 has long been part of the catalog of games from THQ, the publisher before finally make weapons at the beginning of the year. Delighted to see the possibility of expanding its offer of Western games, Sega took advantage of the closure of the U.S. publisher to buy the developer Relic Entertainment. And by extension, the projects of the latter. In the aftermath, the proud new owner of Canadian studio has decided to postpone the release date of CoH 2 to 25 June next. A wise decision, allowing time for everyone to reorganize. Since all these changes, we have not had the opportunity to see the game it was something made ​​recently. Both say now, it has not lost its features!

With the closing of the acquisition of THQ and Relic Entertainment by Sega, one might have feared that Company of Heroes 2 disappears radar for several months. Time for everyone to get back in the direction of travel. But it is not. At first glance, it did not even have any impact on the game design, if the postponement of the release date, which gives developers additional time to refine their baby apart. The communication plan unveiling dropper content as did, apparently, not changed either. This time, the new presentation of CoH 2 was to show us the way of War Theatre (Theater of War VO) and fragments of the single player campaign.


Theater of War, a very pleasant way

Behind the theater mode War lies a very simple ambition. Relic wants to offer players a set of tasks not within the scope of the single-player campaign. They allow to relive legendary battles, we opted for the Soviet or German side. In each case, various objectives to complete. During the first challenge we tried to meet (called Indirect Fire), we were asked, for example, destroying five buildings occupied by Hitler's troops in a limited time. To do this, there are vehicles that can throw rockets at regular intervals and some infantry units that can move on the map. Obviously, the enemies waiting around, often stashed in various constructions. It should also be noted that to negate the other buildings of the map allows you to earn a few extra seconds. That encourages them to constantly bombard almost everything we see. Of course, the challenge - importantly - is that of achieving the goal in time. Not insurmountable but not obvious since all failed strategic move leads to defeat.

The second mission of Theatre of War in which we were able to spend time (called Winter Defense) proposed that we protect some sort of radar soviétique.Concrètement turn, the goal is to push seven German waves. All thanks to a limited few army units initially, but rewarding between each attack. Of course, the opposition is also becoming increasingly stronger as time passes. Some soldiers at the beginning, the enemy runs fast tumbling several tanks from all sides. It should be noted that the position to defend is at least open and very simple to attack. Only a few items scattered here and there help to hide. However, the place has the distinction of being surrounded by frozen lakes. The opportunity to recall that the engine CoH 2 now can enjoy this type of surface to trap opponents (and vice versa). Swinging grenades or using a flamethrower, you can melt the ice (which is replenished later if it is left over). What to do to run a peak tank if it is very accurate, or at least force him to bypass the ice water and therefore take a different path. This obviously allows to consider many possibilities in terms of strategy. Overall, the challenge is once again to go for the Soviet troops are renewed only very little during the mission. Despite the provision of anti-tank gun, the task is relatively difficult.

Beyond two detailed examples above, there are a host of other challenges, some of which are playable in coop (we did not test them in our game session). All of which leads to the theater mode Relic War is a bridge between the solo and multi. Anyway, a few missions we traveled were really well thought out and, by extension, very fun to play. They should be able to extend the experience to great effect. For Sega, it is also an opportunity to launch some DLC with additional challenges when the time comes. But this is another story.

Heading east!

Sega and Relic we also left briefly approach the solo campaign Company of Heroes 2. As a reminder, it focuses on the invasion of the USSR by Germany in 1941. Heading east, therefore, for a series of missions interspersed with some nice cutscenes (however difficult to talk about script or narration with the little that we saw). Obviously, our play session was only allowed us to take a look at the very beginning of this campaign. So, not surprisingly, this is a kind of scripted tutorial that we could find. You learn to micromanage units, manage resources, use of existing capabilities available to each soldier or to build and improve the various buildings. The first mission for example proposes to try to stand up to a Tiger tank with some infantry units before the repair and recover. This is particularly the opportunity to show us the usefulness of anti-tank gun and tactical withdrawal (also called "it is better to steer there"). In the same vein, other proposed missions allow to understand the different aspects of the game often, we must take given points, pushing German troops destroy a particular purpose and so on. Hard to tell you more because we only had access to a small piece of the solo campaign.

Still, it can at least be aware of all the work around the game engine Gasoline 3 has an improved package in which lies the interest of CoH 2. We refer in particular to the management of the weather. The cold has an impact on the health of units while the snow slows. Similarly, we must pay attention to the wind or the best use of sensitive surfaces like ice. Whole system around the target troops was also the subject of a substantial work. Soldiers stand badly their targets through obstacles. Smoke may be sufficient to significantly hinder. And this is perfectly transcribed on the screen. The same goes for vehicles that are struggling to spot enemies in cities. Many points that really enrich the experience.