But while Dawn of War II's changes - namely dropping army sizes and increasing RPG elements - worked wonders for the Warhammer title, it was an all-new game. It could afford to experiment. Company of Heroes, on the other hand, is an existing title. And one of the most loved RTS games of all time at that.

Isn't messing with that formula a little dangerous?

Hated
Direct Fire: One of the expansion's hot new features is something called "direct fire". It means that, for tanks and heavy weapons, you can take direct control of the turret or gun and do the aiming yourself. Sounds great! In reality, it's rubbish. It's used extensively in one of the three new campaigns, but outside of that, it just doesn't work. It's too cumbersome to do both the movement and aiming yourself, and switching between units and control schemes takes far too long in the heat of battle.

Short Stories Of Valor: The game's previous expansion, Opposing Fronts, brought some excellent campaigns and two new factions to the game. Tales of Valor brings nine short missions spread across three short campaigns. It's so short, in fact, that I finished the whole thing in a single sitting. Right between morning tea and lunch. What's more, the missions are not only short, they're simple, mostly involving only a handful of units (only the last campaign really gives you big battles). This worked in Dawn of War II because you swapped units for characters. In ToV, they're still just units. Only, you have less of them.

Cutting Corners: Whether it's because the expansion was rushed, that Relic were busy with Dawn of War II or just don't care about Company of Heroes any more, Tales of Valor feels rough. There are more AI glitches in the campaign than usual. The art and cutscenes - normally a strongpoint of Relic games - aren't up to the company's lofty standards. And the singleplayer scripting and mission design is basic, thin, stripped of the bombast and timing of previous levels.

Oh Relic. Company of Heroes wasn't broke! So you shouldn't have "fixed" it! Because when you consider "fixing" to be removing the complexity, polish and pacing of one of the best tactical RTS games of all time, and replacing it with micro-campaigns and misguided notions of arcade action, it makes us upset.

If you're new to the series, though, don't mind the fact this micro-review is all "hated". It's just this expansion that's not up to scratch. Despite the addition of some new vehicles for multiplayer (which are disappointingly just "replacements" for existing units), some new game modes (including the enjoyable "stonewall", which is basically a Horde mode) and a few new maps, you'd be far better off investing your time and money in the original title and first expansion, which are two of the finest games to ever grace the PC. This release, however, goes straight in the "nice try, but no dice" basket.

Company Of Heroes: Tales Of Valor was developed by Relic Software and published by THQ for the PC, released on April 9. Retails for $29.99 USD. Completed all three campaigns.

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Relic Entertainment's real-time strategy World War II masterpiece gets a healthy dose of new content with the Men of Valor standalone expansion, now available at retail, on Steam, and any number of digital delivering PC game stores around the internet. The box, be it digital or physical, contains three new single player campaigns, three new multiplayer modes, new units, new maps, and a direct-fire features that allows players to point and fire.

The new Invasion mode sounds particularly interesting, with a small force taking on increasingly powerful waves of enemies. It's like a real-time strategy version of Gears of War 2's Horde mode, only without all the chain sawing.

One of the expansion's three new campaigns - in which you take command of an SS tank at the Battle of Villers-Bocage - sees you taking direct control of the tank's turret, and over the course of the missions you can "level up" the gunner, driver, etc. A lot like you can in Dawn of War II.

Those upset at the kind of direction Dawn of War II went in, then, may not want to watch the clip below.

The other two "mini-campaigns" are still a mystery, but we'd be surprised if there wasn't one each for the Americans and British. In keeping with the smaller, more intimate feel Relic are going for, Tales of Valor will also introduce a feature called direct-fire. It's described as a feature "in which a tank's turret...will follow the player's mouse cursor, allowing a tank's turret to move and control independently from the vehicle's path.". Anyone worried this will break the game should know that in singleplayer, you can turn it on and off, and it won't be making its way into multiplayer.

Good Company [Edge]

It will also restrict the WWII game competition from using a very marketable [Something] of [Something] option as a potential title. Tales of Valor is very catchy and a good get for THQ.

A press release proving the whole thing is true is right after this.

THQ Announces Company of Heroes(R): Tales of Valor(TM) for Windows PC

Next Chapter in Award-Winning Franchise Features All-New Single-Player Campaigns, Multiplayer Modes and Innovative "Direct-Fire" Feature

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Nov. 3, 2008—THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced Company of Heroes(R): Tales of Valor(TM), the next standalone chapter in the widely acclaimed real-time strategy (RTS) franchise, is currently in development for Windows PC. Featuring three intense campaigns, brand-new multiplayer modes and an innovative "direct-fire" feature that allows even more tactical control during the heat of battle, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor will immerse players in some of the most historic, tide-turning clashes of World War II. Internally developed by Relic Entertainment, the game is currently scheduled for release in spring 2009.

"Company of Heroes is one of the most critically acclaimed RTS series of all time," said Peter Matiss, vice president of global brand management, THQ. "With Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, Relic Entertainment is delivering an all-new, standalone chapter in the franchise and continues to push the boundaries of innovation and quality in the genre."

"In Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, we're offering players a ton of rich, new content including more strategic options in single-player and multiplayer," said Tarrnie Williams, general manager, Relic Entertainment. "With fresh new campaigns and multiplayer modes, brand-new units, additional maps and the introduction of the 'direct-fire' feature, we're once again committed to delivering the best in strategic gaming."

About Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor

Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor is the next standalone chapter in the award-winning Company of Heroes franchise, featuring all-new content, including three single-player campaigns, new multiplayer modes, additional maps and units. Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor also introduces a new "direct-fire" feature that allows players more tactical control of their units and more strategic options in-game. Developed by internal studio Relic Entertainment and powered by Relic's proprietary Essence Engine(TM), Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor is fully compatible with Company of Heroes and Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts, allowing players who own the entire series complete access to the epic battles of World War II. For more information on Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, please visit www.companyofheroesgame.com.