As no recreation of World War 2's Eastern Front is complete without bitter, crippling cold, Relic has whipped up some fancy new technical whizzbangs it's calling 'ColdTech' for Company of Heroes 2. Snow gathers to slow troops, dynamic blizzards sweep in, and soldiers risk freezing to death.
The first Company of Heroes game is beloved by many, and rightfully so. Relic Entertainment's World War II RTS pushed the envelope in so many ways, with its bleeding-edge tech and intimate focus on infantry-level tactics. Its campaign was ambitious as well, spanning the "greatest hits" of the Battle for Normandy. With such a storied legacy, how can Relic possibly build upon the formula?
By taking the war to the Eastern Front, of course. With more than 30 million dead, the Eastern Front of World War II is largely considered the deadliest conflict in human history. Capturing the massive scale and brutality of that theater of battle requires brand new tech, one that should make the seven year wait for a sequel more tolerable.
Confirming much of a recent reveal from the UK, THQ officially announced Company of Heroes 2 today. The company is targeting early 2013 for the game, which will focus on the eastern front of World War 2. Players will take command of the Red Army to fight off Nazi invaders ravaging Mother Russia.
Read more: Environmental destruction and Commander abilities »
Fans of Company of Heroes have been waiting for any hint that a sequel was in the works, but recent images from a UK gaming magazine seem to show that those fans won't be waiting too much longer for an update to the wildly popular RTS franchise.
More bad news for beleaguered publisher THQ. Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium will no longer be a MMO, as originally planned. Instead, it will be "an immersive single player and online multiplayer experience with robust digital content, and engaging community features."
"As previously announced, we have been actively looking for a business partner for the game as an MMO," THQ president and CEO Brian Farrell said in the surprise announcement. "However, based on changing market dynamics and the additional investment required to complete the game as an MMO, we believe the right direction for us is to shift the title from an MMO to a premium experience with single and multiplayer gameplay, robust digital content and community features."
THQ's in bad shape, but it's still forging ahead with its planned MMO, Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millenium Online. However, the beleaguered publisher won't be able to do it alone. During a financial briefing, the company revealed that it's seeking a development partner to complete the title.
The combat walker Dreadnought may be stomping its way into Warhammer 40K: Space Marine in January. Relic Entertainment teased an intriguing image (above). Though the studio didn't use the word "Dreadnought" explicitly, that seems to be the reasonable conclusion from a healthy chunk of the fan community.
It might be time to slip into some power armor again and dust off your chainsword again--this time, with friends. some As promised, Relic Entertainment has released free co-op DLC for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine today, called 'Exterminatus.' Available now for PC and PlayStation 3, the press release notes that the Xbox 360 version of the content will be available "soon."
The anime-inspired Tau are bringing their mecha suits to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution this month, with a new Tau Commander hero coming to Last Stand mode as paid downloadable content. Developer Relic also announced that new premium multiplayer chapters are in the works for the Chaos and Imperial Guard factions.
Everything is more fun with friends, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is getting set to add a four-player co-op mode. The "Exterminatus" downloadable content is coming on October 25 to PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The DLC adds a new co-op mode with two scenarios, and more planned DLC on the way.
Relic Entertainment has already proven that it knows how to leverage the Warhammer 40,000 IP into compelling real-time-strategy titles with the Dawn of War series, but Space Marine marks the first time the developer has attempted to bring players into the 40K universe at boot-level. Equal parts shooter and brawler, you'll slaughter thousands of enemies on your journey as a Space Marine.
Although Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine has yet to find release, publisher THQ has already announced downloadable content for the game. Thankfully, it's going to be free.
"Exterminatus" is a co-op mode that allows up to four Space Marines to fight against "hordes of alien enemies in a score based fight to the death." Yes, it's Warhammer's take on Gears of War's Horde mode.
Sniveling servants of the false emperor can can walk a mile in the clonking great ceramic boots of Ultramarine Captain Titus next week with the launch of the Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine demo. It'll hit PC and Xbox 360 on August 23, then PlayStation 3 on August 24.
[Update:] THQ has sent Shacknews the following comment, "Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine will have co-op and we look forward to announcing more details later this month." Still no word on when and how the co-op will be implemented or what it will include.
Dawn of War III is on the way, but its predecessor is getting at least one more piece of downloadable content. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution is planning a new DLC pack to highlight another piece of 40K lore: the Ultramarines.
The pack is coming in a nebulous "future update," so we're in the dark for release timing. In the past, armor packs have cost $7.49, so this is likely to hit at the same price, but nothing has been announced.
"The snow build-up sounds cool. The ice effects are awesome. But this "Your army men will ..."
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