Company of Heroes 2 Reaches New Levels Of Realism On The Russian Front

The brutal winter of 1941 played a key role in Germany's defeat in Russia and now THQ wants you to feel its bite.

Company of Heroes 2 will incorporate the new Essence Engine 3.0 and its ColdTech system which incorporates weather effects that have never been seen in a strategy game before. Cold can kill. Infantry units not stationed near fires or other heat sources will slowly freeze to death. 

Snow behaves dynamically, accumulating on objects and slowing the movement of units.The game will also feature dynamic snowfall and blizzards that will cover tracks and make it even more dangerous for unattended soldiers. 

The most impressive feature of the ColdTech system is that it turns ice into a dynamic part of the environment as well. 

Players can halt enemy progress by breaking the ice and plunging enemies into the frigid Russian waters. The ice, like the snow, will accumulate over time if the weather conditions are right. All of these elements seem to indicate that THQ is trying to give gamers one of the most realistic WWII strategy simulations on the market.