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Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor

EMAIL PRINT pc

6.6 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 42 critic reviews
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Based on 95 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: THQ

Developer: Relic

Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: April 7, 2009

Summary

Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor is the next standalone chapter in the 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, 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. [THQ]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Company of Heroes Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

MEGamers

It’s a great experience, needs more maps to expand the new multiplayer modes and give it some variety.

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GameZone

If you enjoyed Company of Heroes, there’s little doubt you’ll want to pick up Tales of Valor. Just keep in mind that this is an expansion, meant to keep you satisfied until a true sequel arrives.

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Gamer.nl

Tales of Valor does something new for the CoH Veteran. But it's over in a blink of an eye. Thankfully, the game has some very interesting new multiplayer modes and gameplay tweaks that shouldn't be missed. And the same goes for the greenhorn that will have no problem in liking the old and the new content. But, for next time, please make a Company of Heroes that will last a little bit longer.

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Da Gameboyz

It is a well-rounded title and a safe bet for any PC Gamer as mild amusement if nothing else.

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GamerNode

Tales of Valor may not be what longtime Company of Heroes fans were expecting from Relic's expansion, but the game still delivers a great experience from start to finish.

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AceGamez

Certainly it isn't with regards to single player content that just doesn't really justify the added expense when there are already plenty more varied single player missions available to you in the cheaper main game and its first expansion, but if your focus is multiplayer then the choice is a little clearer - and with three new game modes generously included, anyone with more interest in the online aspect will surely find Tales of Valor a lot more tempting.

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ZTGameDomain

Overall though Tales of Valour was a fun experience, I would have liked a single player that was more like the first game, but I still had fun with the content that I was given.

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AtomicGamer

Altogether Tales of Valor is an adequate package of upgrades with a few surprises in the multiplayer and single player.

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PC Gamer UK

Pleasingly varied new multiplayer modes for an excellent game, hampered by a paucity of maps [June 2009, p.90]

Eurogamer Spain

If you are looking for a good strategy game, you've found it. And if you are looking for a good WW2 game, you've found it too.

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Gamers' Temple

These tales are not traditional Company of Heroes stories, but they can make for some fun stories while they last.

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HellBored

Ultimately, Tales of Valor is worth buying only as long as you’re going to make use of the multiplayer component. A few of the new units need some exploit fixes, and the direct fire system feels more like a gimmick than anything that is really going to add a lot to the game. Let’s hope that Tales of Valor is a stop-gap release to tide the fans over, before Relic announces that Eastern Front expansion we’ve all been waiting for.

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PC Zone UK

Multiplayer modes are very original. [July 2009, p.62]

Game Informer

Gamers who spend the majority of their time in single-player modes should pass this one by. If you’re an online-focused player, though, Tales of Valor provides hours of amusement, especially if the community takes advantage of the excellent mod tools to flesh out the map selection.

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Pelit (Finland)

Oh dear, Relic. Handful of short, small and laughably easy scenarios really was not what I waited for or wanted. Relic’s new obsession for ”accessibility” is ruining its games. [May 2009]

3DJuegos

Although the strongest part of an strategy game is usually the campaign mode, this is precisely the weakest side in Tales of Valor. It’s low cost should not distract us from the fact that this package is repetitive and certainly short, but the talent of Relic is present, and this is enough reason to pay attention to its proposal.

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GameStar

The second add-on to Company of Heroes offers new campaigns, new multi-play modes and new units - but not enough of anything: only one small episode instead of a new campaign, only one map for each multi-player mode and just a few alternative units instead of new factions.

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Cheat Code Central

Tales of Valor falls short in terms of the volume of new content most players will expect in a standalone expansion priced at $30. What's there is great, but it's just not enough.

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GameSpy

As enjoyable as each of the single and multiplayer additions are (and they're quite good), the whole package comes off like a collection of mods the developers were tooling around with in their spare time. The original game is as great as it ever was and Tales of Valor certainly doesn't take away from that, but ultimately this "expansion" pack comes off as a modestly enjoyable diversion.

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Play (Poland)

It is war on a personal level - instead of entire units, battles are fought by carefully selected small groups of individuals. It would be possible to come to know each of them, were it not for the short span of this standalone expansion. [May 2009]

Eurogamer

It just doesn't hang together as a coherent package in its own right, and while the gameplay certainly doesn't sully the memory of the original, the thin spread of content is cause for concern.

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IGN

The new campaigns are over before you know it, the new units have a limited impact, and direct fire is largely ineffective. The real attractions here are the three new multiplayer modes.

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DarkZero

A combination of cooperative gameplay and ferocious versus modes keeps things fresh in the game’s online multiplayer.

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Gamers.at

Tales of Valor improves the popular CoH-Gameplay with minor changes, but the quantity of content leaves a lot to be desired.

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Multiplayer.it

After the wonderful Opposing Fronts, CoH: Tales of Valor leaves the player with a bad taste in his mouth. The good multiplayer can't compensate for the short and weak single player aspect of the game so we can suggest it only to the true fans of the series.

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PC Format

ToV's singleplayer campaigns will do nothing for CoH vets, but the MP extras might just keep its head above water. [June 2009, p.90]

Computer Games Online RO

On the other hand, Tales of Valor’s main argument for purchase is that it grants access to all the factions in multiplayer, with no need to purchase the previous titles of the series, so those who just want to see what Company of Heroes has to offer in the online mode can consider this an interesting option.

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GameFocus

In the end the price of this mission pack will turn away those players who want much more bang for their buck and I cannot recommend the game to those who just play single player games, but just those who play multiplayer only or both multiplayer and single player games.

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GameShark

The problem isn’t that Tales of Valor lacks any quality features or commendable traits, but that it doesn’t really do anything with them.

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1UP

Diehard COH multiplayer fans will want this by virtue of being able to use the new units that all the other veteran players will be using with their copies. But the player who either wants a great offline experience, or simply another fantastic COH expansion, might feel a bit cheated and disappointed with how paltry this expansion feels.

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PALGN

Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor is a fun addition to the series, but ultimately it falls short of bringing the quality and quantity of gameplay provided by its predecessors.

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Game Over Online

From a presentation standpoint, graphically and in the sound effects department, ToV doesn’t seem to have changed much from the previous incarnations.

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ActionTrip

The game packs an engaging multiplayer mode, but seeing as you won't spend more than a couple of hours with the clearly meager single-player campaigns, it really doesn't deserve your attention; nor does it justify the slightly steep price tag ($30).

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Teletext GameCentral

Fun but slight real-time strategy expansion that's rather short on strategy and value for money.

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Boomtown

Tales of Valour just doesn't add enough new content and what it does add is pretty much useless. This one is only for the die hard COH fans.

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GameSpot

This short expansion is only for Company of Heroes completionists.

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Giant Bomb

For experienced players, though, Tales of Valor offers enough distractions to fill your need for something new. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself returning to the original campaign and multiplayer modes the next time you need a fix.

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Absolute Games

What’s the difference between Relic Entertainment and a large dairy farm in the neighborhood of Vancouver? Relic is better at milking its cows. Tales of Valor feels like a crisis management by-product, as if its design document was written by a marketing executive, edited by the chief financial officer, and polished by PR staff.

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2404.org

You really need a lot of practice in order to be good at it (multiplayer).

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LEVEL (Czech Republic)

Queen of WWII RT strategies come with an add-on. Fantastic visuals and good scenarios are flawed by overall shortness of added campaigns and lack of anything new. [May 2009]

Armchair Empire

The target audience for Tales of Valor is the completest, the sort of person who's been jonesing for a fix. The problem is that this particular hit of RTS goodness isn't all that great because there's so very little to it once you get down to the actual gameplay.

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Game Revolution

Tales of Valor has some decent content, though there’s not much, all things considered. The previous expansion brought two complete factions, with two complete campaigns, whereas Tales of Valor brings just over five hours of single-player fun and a few imbalanced multiplayer modes to the table.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.6 (out of 10) based on 95 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Joe L. gave it a7:
I like this game its very enjoyable and very addictive . The only thing bad is the multyplayer. Time finding game + Game Ballance = Frustration. Its almost like I have to spam certain units to win in every situation. Anyway all in all balancing and multyplayer aside its worth your singleplayer money.

Ryan S. gave it an8:
I rated this game an 8 for the simple fact that when you get down to it this game can only get better. The up close in your face action is what does it for me. Multiplayer is awesome, but could use some work its really hard to find a good game to get into and definitely needs more maps. I like the player voted maps i think that you should definitely do more of those to keep players from getting bored of the same maps. TY Life's a game, Keep playing and have fun!

Flammer W gave it an8:
Tales of Valor is a good title for CoH diehards and new players alike, as it allows access to all the multiplayer content while adding new modes and units. The game however lacked polish and had serious balance issues that took several patches to address. The game was also rushed because of Financial conditions at Relic. I think rating this game based on the length of the singleplayer is silly, as the multiplayer holds the real meat.

Zak N gave it a9:
I've always liked World War games, and this really is enjoyable, exploding buildings, shooting people down, blowing things up.. It is just overall fun.. However if you are not a hardcore player it can be a tad hard to play. But, is fun either way. I'd suggest it if you enjoy the World War kinds of games. I also have played the first Coh, and now I own Coh:ToV, though I do not see a major difference in either version... YET.

Brendan G gave it a7:
Company of Heroes is a good game but knowing what I know now.... well i wouldn't go out and buy the Tales of Valor. The expansion is good in the introduction of some new things but its not enough, my biggest disappointment was i started the game and poof the campaigns for Tales of Valor are over. Otherwise the game is good, I've not seen flaws in some of the previous ones when I'll get a unit stuck on a random object, or other glitches; i'm sure that there are glitches but i haven't seen more yet.

Bite Me gave it a9:
Quit your whining, CoH gives you exactly what they are selling, no less and no more. I play lotsa games and this one entertains and is challenging, and the option of overseeing the game or going on"on the field" to see the diferent angles is awesome. If you find this game too easy, then you are lyng or spending too much time on the computer, get a life. Like most games, you can only play them so long before they get boring, so I think its definitely worth the money and recommend it to anyone, especially those who enjoy WWII games.

James B gave it a9:
Although I have not played the first two games in the saga of Company of Heroes. That COH TOV was a short comming to its predessesors in the views of many fellow gamers who have played all three. Though I cannot comment on this aspect, as a first time player I found the game to be enjoyable and easy to pick up and learn tactics. Though the game includes suppressive fire and units become unable to attack well under such direct assult, I would have like to see untis flee in cowerdence. That the user would be unable to controll such units under any circumstance. The idea of bringing in reinforcements to supply units with refreshed man power should not have to just be done for the replacement of casualties, but also battle fatigue. Though this realism may be to complex for those who wish to just play a game like AoE. As my first game for COH, I was very pleased over all and enjoy the time spent playing online.

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Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor

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