Company of Heroes Beta

[ÜberJumper]

Fileplanet (http://www.fileplanet.com/) is hosting the Company of Heroes Beta. (http://www.fileplanet.com/betas/coh_screening.aspx)

Jaw-dropping is one way to describe what I've experienced so far. It's not just another WW2 game

Editor's Note: You must be a Gamespy subscriber.

[Heretic Machine]

It's only for subscribers, not normal members.

[KarmaGhost]

Ah, well I'll keep my money to myself, thank you.

[GrinR]

So I have to wait a week to get in?? DAMN! HOW WILL I LIVE?

[slimfatbaby]

This game is an amazing RTS. I am blown away. :)

[GrinR]

This game is an amazing RTS. I am blown away. :)

moar plz. WHY?

[ÜberJumper]

Open's coming in a couple weeks. There's a beta patch coming next couple days.

I played over 30 games on the weekend. Out, Fucking, Standing. Pacing is slower than Dawn of War multiplayer, but so so so so so much more entertaining. You've got time to watch the machine gun emplacements rip into advancing squads, tanks go out of control when the crew is killed, and armour chunks flying off vehicles as they're hit. Oh, and the flamethrower fire is so hot you can feel it!

*disclaimer, huge relic fanboy post*

[space egg bret]

Sweet! Finally a WW2 themed rts I can dig into =]

Relic really knows their stuff.

[Draft]

I have gone on record as being a pretty big critic of the "generic" label being slapped on games, but goddamn, how many WWII games in the last 5 years? About 2 thousand? We've had plenty of other terrible armed conflicts that can be translated into enjoyable gaming action, you know.

[randir14]

I have gone on record as being a pretty big critic of the "generic" label being slapped on games, but goddamn, how many WWII games in the last 5 years? About 2 thousand? We've had plenty of other terrible armed conflicts that can be translated into enjoyable gaming action, you know.
I agree with you, WW2 games got old awhile ago. Or more specifically, WW2 games where you only play as Americans, Brits, and Russians fighting the Germans.

[Savok]

I have gone on record as being a pretty big critic of the "generic" label being slapped on games, but goddamn, how many WWII games in the last 5 years? About 2 thousand? We've had plenty of other terrible armed conflicts that can be translated into enjoyable gaming action, you know.
Because never has there been a war in the modern theatre as tactical, equal, large, poetic and just as WW2, and yet it still had room for exceptional people to make a difference.

[smashism]

I like WWII games. I think its a huge chunk of our history that has a lot of history to be told. Plus its more black and white than other wars. I think so at least.

[Thenetcase]

The WWII theme has been done and redone a million times. Let's find something more interesting to talk about.

[ÜberJumper]

One of our readers sent this in today (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-07-10-world-war-II_x.htm).


World War II games have been a staple of the shooting-game category, which the NPD Group says accounts for 11% to 13% of annual U.S. video game sales, totaling $770 million to $940 million.


There's gold in them World War 2 hills. Apparently the mainstream's not tired of them just yet.

[ProfPuppet]

Wish I could run this. As for the WWII game thing getting old, I agree. However, if I had to pick a war game based on real life to play, it would probably be that war, because of the diversity of locations.

What I would like to see is a stealth WWII game where you have to infiltrate and assassinate various high-ranking targets. Perhaps start out in the streets, having to decide between helping hide people and possibly blowing your cover or advancing more quickly in rank by turning them in. Something that shows more of the ethical issues, instead of 'shoot nazi plane, shoot nazi tank, die, respawn' that we have now.

[kid cabelgo]

i don't really care if it's wwII themed. I'm much more excited about the fact that it sounds like a goddamn sweet RTS. I've been itching for a great new rts, and this might just be it.

If it has widescreen support i'll be sold

[Kem0sabe]

Relic... make another Homeworld game, we need more scifi instead of this generic WW2 crap.

[Savok]

There was nothing generic about WW2...

[easi]

You have to laugh when WW2 game 5,972 claims to be "not just another WW2 game".

[BigJonno]

The problem with WW2 games is that there are a few core elements that are always the same. There are only so many different weapons and vehicles that were used at the time. Half the fun of a new game is the very fact that it's new. It doesn't have to be groundbreaking, take Half Life using a crossbow rather than a typical sniper rifle. Just looking at the same uniforms, the same guns, the same tanks detracts from the game. It doesn't make it a bad game, but it certainly stops it from being as good as it could.

"Familiarity breeds contempt."

[Kem0sabe]

The problem with WW2 games is that there are a few core elements that are always the same. There are only so many different weapons and vehicles that were used at the time. Half the fun of a new game is the very fact that it's new. It doesn't have to be groundbreaking, take Half Life using a crossbow rather than a typical sniper rifle. Just looking at the same uniforms, the same guns, the same tanks detracts from the game. It doesn't make it a bad game, but it certainly stops it from being as good as it could.

"Familiarity breeds contempt."

Indeed, you have hit the mark dead centre.

[Tia]

I love it how people complain about a game they didn't play. So what if it is in WW2, the game mechanics are awsome. It is not always about the settings, but rather what you do with them. Stop being so whiny of a game you didn't play.

[slimfatbaby]

I love how people are going to miss out on one of the best RTS games ever released because they're too hopped up on Anti-WWII environments.

[Kem0sabe]

Im not anti anything, and i have played the fileplanet beta. As with all relic games so far, it looks and plays amazing, i was just commenting on how bland the WWII setting is these days, after 100´s of games based on it.

Gives us some scifi rts goodness, as good as this game is its nowhere near as good as homeworld 1 and 2.

[ÜberJumper]

Kem0sabe:

Did you try Dawn of War? I think that *might* have a bit of a sci-fi flare to it. Maybe only a *tiny* bit though.

[kid cabelgo]

Im not anti anything, and i have played the fileplanet beta. As with all relic games so far, it looks and plays amazing, i was just commenting on how bland the WWII setting is these days, after 100´s of games based on it.

Gives us some scifi rts goodness, as good as this game is its nowhere near as good as homeworld 1 and 2.

Well holding a game up to Homeworld 1/2 is just impossible. Even if it is the same developer.

[slimfatbaby]

Online gameplay is leaps and bounds better than Homeworld 1 / 2.

[Kem0sabe]

Kem0sabe:

Did you try Dawn of War? I think that *might* have a bit of a sci-fi flare to it. Maybe only a *tiny* bit though.


I´ve been meaning to try dawn of war and the expansion, but never got around to it, is it recommended?

[Tia]

I´ve been meaning to try dawn of war and the expansion, but never got around to it, is it recommended?

Wholeheartedly. Awesome game.

[Savok]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cWnuxLbc34&search=dawn%20of%20war

'Nuff said

[slimfatbaby]

Youtube footage up of some beta online action :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJcHkHw2_7Y

[Savok]

That guy needs to lay off the crack pipe before making a video, it's hard to see what's going when he keeps jumping all over the place.

[slimfatbaby]

Looks like he just used a feed while playing. Most speedy RTS gamers play like that.

[Savok]

And this is why I never play them online.

[ÜberJumper]

Yeah, playing against guys that do nothing but play RTS games is a frightening experience that's in no way fun.

Thankfully, they seem to be dedicated to making not-so stupid AI that actually behaves a bit more intellligently.

[slimfatbaby]

Yeah, playing against guys that do nothing but play RTS games is a frightening experience that's in no way fun.

Thankfully, they seem to be dedicated to making not-so stupid AI that actually behaves a bit more intellligently.

You do not have to do nothing but play RTS games to be good at them online. I play a whole slew of games. FPS, RTS, RPG, turn based strategy, driving games, etc. on all the consoles. If you spend as much time playing with the AI as you do playing online, you'll learn that players online are a hell of a lot more challenging and reactive. With your analogy, anyone interested in getting into sports should be completely terrified of actual competitive play. How much fun is basketball when all you do is shoot hoops by yourself?

Most of the time when I hear people whine about online RTS, I think that it's simply because they either can't wrap their brains around strategy and adaptation or they are just bitter that they suck.

I'd say out of a month of gaming, 40% of my time is spent in RTS games and only online. Rise of Legends, I will never play through the single player campaign same with Battle for Middle Earth 2. I've spent countless hours having a ton of fun online though and average a 75%-90% win ratio on all the RTS games I play. Does that make me some guy with no life that sits around in his parents basement playing RTS games all day? I do work a fulltime job you know.

[easi]

Farming gold?

[slimfatbaby]

Farming gold?

Haha, yeah right. Although I hear they do make GREAT money when they run gold farms in China. Hmmm.... :)

[Savok]

I derive joy from watching my little guys blow up stuff, there is simply no time to do that in online play.