THQ has announce that Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor has gone gold and been released to manufacturing, opening another chapter in the publisher’s Company of Heroes World War II-based real-time strategy franchise. Built by in-house Warhammer and Dawn of War developer Relic Entertainment, Tales of Valor adds three new single-player campaigns, three new multiplayer modes, and a new “direct fire” feature that gives players a whole new level of control in battle—and THQ promises this installment offers the most intense combat in the franchises’ history to date.
“Building upon the recent critical and commercial success of Dawn of War II, Relic Entertainment is set to deliver the next great chapter in the award-winning Company of Heroes franchise,” said THQ’s VP of global brand management Kevin Kraff, in a statement. “Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor strengthens Relic Entertainment’s reputation as a leading RTS developer, with an unwavering dedication to innovative, ground-breaking gameplay experiences.”
Tales of Valor’s single player games start with The Battle of Villers Bocage during the Normandy invasion; multiplayer modes includes new maps and for multiplayer and skirmish games, as well as Assault, Panzerkrieg, and Stonewall scenarios—in the latter, up to four players must defend a town against a massive AI-led onslaught.
Although Tales of Valor is a standalone chapter in the franchise, players who own Company of Heroes and Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts will have complete access to all the WWII battles in the games.
Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor is rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB; it will be available as a Games for Windows title for a suggested price of $29.99.