They're backed up by detachments, which can still march across the map independent of the companies, taking territory and getting into turn-based fights. Across the war, they get points that can be spent on a variety of upgrades allowing you to both empower and specialise them. Companies are your primary units that you'll use to engage the enemy in real-time battles, from American airborne units to the devastating Indian artillery. I've got several companies and detachments at my disposal, and how I combine them will have a big impact on the battle ahead. Before storming the airbase, however, I have to decide my approach and pick my troops. My first target is the nearest airbase, giving me access to handy things like aerial reconnaissance and paratrooper drops. A-TeamĪfter spending a bit of time admiring Italy, I get back to the war. Relic used old maps made by the Royal Engineers to see where rail lines and roads were, which ones were functional, which ones could be used by tanks, so that journey through Italy, the routes you take and the obstacles in your way, are authentic to what that environment was at the time. But Relic's also built it with an eye towards logistics and authenticity. It's a fetching map, too, with lots of little cosmetic flourishes, like the Vesuvius standing next to Pompeii, huge and menacing, or the striking Monte Cassino, which looks lovely even when it's surrounded by barricades, tanks and AA guns. You don't need to take every town in Italy, but I quickly found myself being seduced by the promise of total conquest and all the goodies that come with it. Each discrete bit of territory offers something, whether it's more resources, another link in the supply chain-if the chain breaks, your cut-off units won't be at peak efficiency-or access to air and naval forces. It's a chunky map, but only a small slice of the full Italian campaign map that we'll get to play at launch.

With my army in Naples, the sprawling Italian countryside stretches out before them.

Company of heroes 3 pacific