Company Of Heroes: Anthology

Just when the market for innovative RTS (Real time strategy) games was getting stagnant along comes these gems all bundled into one box at a great price!

Unlike the C&C series, you have to control sectors and resources such as fuel and ammunition, because of this tactics plays a much larger role and its not simply a case of sending everyone charging into battle. The AI in the games is great, with enemy units who come under fire diving for cover behind walls etc.

However, graphics (providing your computer can handle them) are jaw droppingly gorgeous, especially with some of the dynamic weather effects. The battlefield looks even better as a barrage of explosions rips through the enemy ranks spraying dirt, shrapnel and limbs up into the air!

Whilst the graphics have certainly managed to capture the dirty and gritty feel of war, the music and sound to the games really heightens the whole experience, with breathtaking classical tracks providing a soundtrack to a war in which your soldiers shout verbal abuse at the enemy!

Overall, if you are after a good looking world war 2 RTS game but which isn't just all gloss, but has some pretty decent AI/tactics etc going on then pick this up. With all games in this pack you don't have an excuse!

There really hasn't ever been a better RTS!
It's not just the game that's great, it's the entire ethic of the production team - every element has been carefully crafted. The missions are punctuated by thought provoking cut-scenes, that in some way balance the horror of war with playing a computer game - this helps with the immersion and gives you something to dwell on during the reasonably short load time between missions. Realism is the objective, if you don't like game characters using very rude expletives then you will probably change your mind after lobbing your first pineapple grenade. Online the game is a hoot, you don't really have to get too personal with your opponents, but the in-game server allows it if this is something you value. If I were to hurl some criticism, it would be that on repeating missions in the single player game you often learn where the enemy will appear. The auto-patch is also a bit of a pain, but unlike other recent games, you can play it without a broadband connection, say on a laptop as your flight home takes you over Oosterbeek. Overall, the challenge of the game is superb, it's like playing Chess without the restraint of rules or a board - out-thinking your opponents in COH is a better brain exercise than Sudoko could ever hope to be. At these prices it really is something that should be in every game player's library.

I've been playing this game since launch and each of the expansions on release day, it is without doubt the best RTS avaliable. The first 2 parts of the game have real single player experiances, ToV is mainly a Multiplayer expansion, The story mode is good fun and the AI is well designed, but the main attraction to this game is the multiplayer.

For me this is the LAN option, as a group of 6 to 8 people we used to play C&C but once we started this we've never been back, we've had some awsome 3+ hour battles but dont think that the game is over if your on the back foot, everything can change in an instant. The other feature which is really good is that should you be destroyed quickly your not out the game you can call in units to rebuild and get back into the fight I dont know of any other game that lets you do this and this is a fantastic addition

If you decide to buy this game and you really should just install from the Tales of Valor disk and add the CD keys for the other 2 parts once you've entered the game, doing this will save you alot of installing/patching time and will guarentee that everything will work first time and you'll only need to download a couple of patches instead of 16-17 you would be prompted to install if you start with CoHs origional

As the other reviers say it all, I'll just give it 5 stars and keep it short.
This game graphics are solid, the gameplay is fun, tactical and challenging. The story of the Normandy campaign is brought to life in this game, and I still have another go every few months, up their with the best and at this price, buy it now!!

One sentence describes the Company of Heroes experience. 'Oh my god....'

Trust me to say this. It is ace. Cinematic experience.

Ace story. 4 unique sides for any RTS sides, American Able Company/ British 2nd Army, Wermacht/ Panzer Elite. Each have their own stories to play through. Ace units, nicely designed and created. Skirmishes keep the game going, never get bored with it.

Frantic WW2 style action, never a quiet moment in this game. Good for hour evening plays such as skirmishes or a mission. Doesn't last too long, just right. A must have if you are an RTS fan.