Relic Entertainment released the original Company of Heroes 20 years ago in 2006 to much acclaim. I remember waiting to get my hands on a copy of it at the computer store and spending hours upon hours playing this real-time tactical combat game set during WWII and the Battle of Normandy. Company of Heroes 2 was released in 2013 and brought the game to the Eastern Front of WWII. Company of Heroes 3 , released in 2023, took players to the Mediterranean Theatre of the war covering the North African and Italian campaigns. Now a new way to play the game is available with Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand.
What Is Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand?
Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand is a stand-alone expansion to Company of Heroes 3 which adds new wave defense gameplay. It can be played solo or co-op with another player. The expansion does not require you to own any previous Company of Heroes titles which makes it easy to jump straight into the action and have fun whether you’re a longtime fan or a new player to the series. Players will need to dig in and build layered defenses in order to survive against escalating waves of enemy forces across 12 increasingly difficult rounds. These include both intimidating bosses as well as dynamic battlefield events that are unique to Final Stand. During a game, players construct a custom battlegroup form the ground up which is suited to their style of play. Featuring a roguelite progression system, after each wave players choose between randomized units or abilities that persist for the duration of the run. Upgrades and perks are also unlocked between runs within faction-specific progression trees.
Players can command four different factions during the game: US Forces, the German Wehrmacht, British Forces, or the Deutsches Afrikakorps. There are 8 difficulty levels from newcomer to veteran so you can play at your level and increase the challenge as you improve. Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand provides 5 different battlegrounds and also offers an Endless Mode for those who need more than 12 waves of challenge.
Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand is currently available on Steam and sells for $29.99. However there is an introductory offer util August 12, 2026 where you can save 10% and get the game for only $26.99. They are also also offering a special bundle where you can get both the full game of Company of Heroes 3 as well as the expansion for only $40.78! That is adding the full game for less than $14 with two complete campaigns and full multiplayer support.
Why Should You Get Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand?
Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand captures the classic WWII fantasy of holding the line against overwhelming odds while providing players with the tools to make their own heroic final stands whether fighting alone or with friends. As I mentioned earlier, I am a big fan of the Company of Heroes franchise and own all of the editions. At first, I was not sure how much I would like a game totally focused on defense. During the campaigns in the Company of Heroes 3 and the other games, I love planning out an attack. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed Final Stand. I really like how at the start you can select from two new unit technologies. Then between each wave, you can again select new abilities, units, and supports that vary each time. These allow you to customize your force for the types of strategy you want to employ. Do you want to be able to have strong static forces or quick mobile forces? As you progress through the waves, you gain access to more units based on your choices.
In my first game, I started off with engineers, bazooka teams, and the machine gun team I selected for my first choice. There may be AI outposts that can help you defend your base, but no units until you order them. So I ordered some engineers and an MG team. While the MG team setup behind some sandbags in an existing position along the enemy attack route, the engineers built some positions where my units could take cover or I could upgrade them to MG or mortar positions. Before each wave advances, a series of arrows appear on the map showing the axis of their attack. This gives you a few seconds to reposition and set up defenses. Don’t forget to use those engineers to repair outposts and positions that have been damage and maybe even lay some land mines. Early waves are primarily infantry with an occasional light vehicle. However later waves include tanks. One wave in my first battle was just air strikes. When I saw the red smoke makers appear near my troops, I quickly ordered them to move. If you can defeat all 12 waves, then you are awarded the gold medal.
Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand breathes new life into an already great game. While I have not played it co-op yet, I imagine it will be even more enjoyable as you work with another player to defend. I like that you can choose from four distinct factions that each play a bit differently. Plus as you choose different opponents, you get defend units coming at you. The five different maps also provide different experiences as some are more wide open while others have terrain that forces the enemy into narrow areas of advance which you can turn into kill zones. Finally, as you complete in-game achievements, you can earn skins for your troops and there is even a loadout screen where you can outfit your units and structures with the skins you have unlocked. I thoroughly enjoyed playing this game and look forward to trying different combinations of factions on the various maps. If you are already a fan of the series, then this is a must have. For those who have never played this game before, then Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand is a great place to start. Plus with the bundle special on Steam where you can get the main game for just a little more, this is a perfect time to get into Company of Heroes.
Here is the launch trailer for Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand.
