PC / STEAM / RTS / FREE WEEKEND
Fancy commanding a Second World War army without first committing the price of a new game? Company of Heroes 3 is free to play on Steam from 12 to 16 November 2026, and Relic Entertainment has picked quite a moment to open the doors.
The free weekend celebrates 20 years of Company of Heroes and follows the release of the game’s 3.0 Anniversary Update, which Relic describes as its biggest overhaul since launch. That’s a more substantial invitation than the usual ‘please try our game before Monday’ routine.
What’s actually changed in the 3.0 update?
Relic’s anniversary work touches a wide range of the game, including its visual presentation, audio, campaign and the separate Final Stand experience. Battlefield environments and atmospheric effects have been reworked, with campaign changes and gameplay adjustments included too.
Existing players don’t need to buy the anniversary patch; it is a free update. New players can test the current version during the weekend and work out whether their tactical genius extends beyond enthusiastically sending everybody towards the nearest hedge.
A sale now, a campaign later
Alongside the free trial, Relic says Company of Heroes 3 is 67% off during its franchise sale, with Final Stand discounted by 20%. Check Steam for the final price in your currency before buying; temporary discounts have a habit of disappearing precisely when you finally make up your mind.
There’s also more single-player material on the way. Operation Torch, due on 25 November 2026, adds a narrative campaign inspired by American operations in Axis-occupied North Africa, with 15 historically inspired missions. It is paid DLC, separate from the free weekend.
Our view
There’s a sensible idea here. Inviting players back after a major free update gives veterans a reason to re-examine the game and newcomers a chance to see what it’s become. That matters for an RTS, where first impressions can linger longer than a badly placed machine-gun nest.
We haven’t re-reviewed the 3.0 build, so this is a news report rather than a fresh verdict. If you’ve been curious about the series, the free access ends on 16 November. A weekend of badly mismanaged supply lines awaits.
Visit Company of Heroes 3 on Steam. Source: Relic Entertainment’s 12 November press announcement and official Steam community update.
News report by the Coloured Static Press team. Official imagery supplied via the game’s Steam media listing. We have not reviewed or independently tested this release.