Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts - Expansio...

Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts - Expansion, Not Sequel

Last month, the Games for Windows magazine set us on fire with a teasing bit hinting at a follow-up to Relic's distinguished Company of Heroes strategy game. And yesterday it was revealed (via a diminutive cover of said magazine) that the new game will be titled Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts. But we still didn't know for sure if it would be an actual sequel, or just an expansion pack. Well, today we have the official communique from THQ, so we can finally say it out loud: it's NOT a squel. It's a new, standalone chapter all right, but it sounds more like an expansion than anything else (see the marked text below).

"Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts allows players to fight as the tenacious British 2nd Army during the heroic World War II liberation of Caen, France, and command the German Panzer Elite as they struggle to repel the largest airborne invasion in history. Players can battle online in exciting new multiplayer modes with these two all-new armies and utilize full compatibility with the original Company of Heroes for a total of four playable armies."

The new chapter will be released in Autumn 2007 according to THQ, powered by an enhanced Essence Engine and with support for DirectX 10. Here's a bit more about it from Relic's Tarrnie Williams:

"In Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts players will experience fast-paced dynamic tactics like never before, in two of the most brutal World War II campaigns ever fought", said Tarrnie Williams, general manager, Relic Entertainment. "With two intensely cinematic campaigns, significant upgrades to the Essence Engine, mission persistence, improved vehicle AI and weather effects that directly impact the battlefield, we're delivering yet again on our commitment to leading the way in strategic gaming with the best, most innovative titles available."

We still don't know how exactly the new multiplayer modes will play like, but we sure got plenty of time to find out. For now, you can check out the first two screenshots in the newly opened gallery here on Playfuls.

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)