Released in April 2009 by Relic Entertainment and published by THQ, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor is the second standalone expansion for the acclaimed Company of Heroes series. It follows on from Opposing Fronts (2007) and brings a more narrative-driven, unit-focused, and mechanically experimental approach to the series. While it was met with more mixed reviews than its predecessors, Tales of Valor is a unique and valuable addition that brings new stories, tactical challenges, and multiplayer options to the franchise.
Rather than offering long campaigns with base-building and prolonged combat operations, Tales of Valor leans into bite-sized scenarios, hero units, and new control mechanics. It is a more personalized, story-rich experience, bringing players into the boots of elite squads and iconic vehicles through missions inspired by real-world events.
Structure: Three Mini-Campaigns
Unlike the original Company of Heroes or Opposing Fronts, Tales of Valor does not include a large, overarching campaign. Instead, it is divided into three short campaigns, each with just three missions. While this format was controversial among some fans, it allowed for focused, cinematic storytelling and tight, objective-based gameplay.
1. Tiger Ace (Normandy, 1944)
Tiger Ace is inspired by the real-life story of Michael Wittmann, one of Germany’s most famous tank commanders. The mission follows a single Tiger I tank and its crew as they battle through the Normandy countryside during the days following D-Day.
- Gameplay Style: Players control a single powerful tank with RPG-like mechanics, including unit experience, upgrades, and micromanagement of the crew.
- Unique Feature: Crew management system—each crew member (driver, gunner, commander) has specific skills and can level up, adding a layer of depth to tactical decision-making.
- Narrative Focus: A gritty portrayal of German armored warfare, emphasizing survival against overwhelming odds.
Tiger Ace is a fan favorite for its intense tank combat, high production values, and immersive voice acting.
2. Causeway (Carentan, 1944)
Causeway focuses on the American 82nd Airborne Division and is set in the aftermath of the D-Day landings. The missions follow U.S. paratroopers as they attempt to secure the town of Carentan and defend a critical causeway from German counterattacks.
- Gameplay Style: Infantry-centric missions with emphasis on flanking, cover, and holding defensive lines.
- Unique Feature: Greater emphasis on moral ambiguity and soldier psychology. The player makes small moral choices that affect dialogue and mission tone.
- Narrative Focus: Highlights the chaos and courage of airborne troops dropped behind enemy lines.
Causeway provides a grounded, character-driven narrative that evokes the tone of Band of Brothers and emphasizes camaraderie, sacrifice, and strategy.
3. Falaise Pocket (France, 1944)
This campaign allows players to switch perspectives, alternating between Wehrmacht and Allied forces in the final stages of the Battle of the Falaise Pocket—a decisive Allied victory that encircled and decimated much of the German Army in France.
- Gameplay Style: Combined arms warfare with shifting objectives and time-sensitive missions.
- Unique Feature: Switching sides during missions adds variety and a nuanced view of the battle.
- Narrative Focus: Focuses on desperation, strategy, and the scale of WWII’s pivotal moments.
Falaise Pocket serves as a climactic, large-scale contrast to the more intimate campaigns of Tales of Valor, showcasing the broader scope of the conflict.
New Multiplayer Content
One of the core appeals of Tales of Valor lies in its expansion of multiplayer content, which includes new units, maps, and the innovative “Direct Fire” mechanic.
1. Direct Fire Mechanic
A new gameplay mechanic introduced in Tales of Valor, Direct Fire allows players to manually control units’ targeting—especially vehicles and anti-tank guns. This adds a more arcade-like element and rewards skilled micromanagement.
- Example: A player can manually aim a Pak 38 anti-tank gun to hit a weak point on a Sherman tank.
- Impact: Adds a new layer of tactical skill to engagements and a sense of agency that is uncommon in traditional RTS games.
While optional, Direct Fire represents an effort to blend tactical realism with more personal control.
2. New Multiplayer Units (Army Variants)
Rather than introducing entirely new factions, Tales of Valor introduces army variants—alternative tech trees for existing factions. These variants replace the standard units with unique alternatives, allowing for more strategic diversity.
US Army Variants:
- Infantry Company → Airborne Infantry
- Armor Company → Mechanized Assault (includes the T17 armored car)
- Airborne Company → Defensive Support Units
Wehrmacht Variants:
- Defensive Doctrine → Stormtrooper Assault
- Blitzkrieg Doctrine → Elite Panzer Units
- Terror Doctrine → Propaganda & Suppression Units
These variants enable new tactics, counters, and combinations in multiplayer, revitalizing competitive play.
New Multiplayer Modes
Tales of Valor also introduced three new multiplayer game modes, designed for faster, more focused matches:
1. Assault
Inspired by Defense of the Ancients (DotA), this mode features a MOBA-style experience. Players control hero units (infantry or vehicles) with special abilities and upgrades, battling waves of enemies and enemy heroes in a lane-based battlefield.
2. Stonewall
A co-op survival mode where players defend a village from waves of enemy attacks. Resource management, unit placement, and base defense are key.
3. Panzerkrieg
A tank battle mode where players control a single, upgradable tank (Panther, Sherman, etc.) and level up by destroying enemies. Teams of 3 face off in arena-style maps, emphasizing teamwork and skill.
These modes marked a creative departure from standard RTS gameplay and demonstrated Relic’s willingness to experiment with genre hybrids.
Reception and Legacy
Upon release, Tales of Valor received mixed to positive reviews. Critics and players praised the high-quality production, compelling campaigns, and new multiplayer features, but some were disappointed by its short length and lack of large-scale missions.
Strengths:
- Focused, narrative-driven campaigns
- Introduction of Direct Fire mechanic
- New multiplayer modes and units
- High-quality voice acting, music, and sound design
- Continued evolution of the Essence Engine
Criticisms:
- Only three short campaigns (each ~45 minutes to 1 hour long)
- Less emphasis on base-building and traditional RTS scale
- Some multiplayer balance issues with new units
- Lacked the epic feel of previous entries
Metacritic Score: ~70-75 (PC)
Conclusion: A Tactical Experiment with Personality
Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor may not have had the sweeping campaigns of the original or Opposing Fronts, but it carved out its own niche as a character-focused, innovation-driven installment. Its missions offer replayable challenges, its new game modes experiment with RTS conventions, and its storytelling emphasizes the personal human dimension of war.
For long-time fans, Tales of Valor is a rewarding companion piece that adds variety and tactical flavor. For newcomers, it serves as a lighter, more digestible introduction to the mechanics and themes of the Company of Heroes series.
In hindsight, Tales of Valor stands as Relic’s boldest experiment within the Company of Heroes universe—an expansion that put a spotlight on individual valor, tactical ingenuity, and the human cost of war.
