Sam Hill is a news writer at Polygon covering gaming and entertainment. He’s a Portland, Oregon–based journalist known for covering gaming, the outdoors, national parks, tech, food, and internet culture. He has written for a range of publications including Outside Magazine, Boston Magazine, Vice, the Seattle Times and Digital Trends.
It’s a good time to see whether you have what it takes to lead an army through World War II
Steam regularly gives PC players an opportunity to try something new without spending a cent and these promotions are particularly useful for strategy fans, as they offer a chance to test out a new experience before deciding whether it’s worth the investment.
One well-known World War II strategy franchise is joining the promotion this week, giving players four days to experience its latest mainline entry for free. Company of Heroes 3 is temporarily free to play on Steam until Nov. 16. And there’s an additional incentive for anyone who decides to stick around the game with a 67% discount for a few more days after the free trial.
Developed by Relic Entertainment, Company of Heroes 3 is a real-time strategy game that takes players to the Mediterranean theater of World War II. Released in February 2023, it features two single-player campaigns alongside competitive multiplayer and cooperative modes.
Players can command different military factions, manage resources, construct bases, and lead infantry and armored units into battle. Its two campaigns take place across North Africa and Italy, with the Italian campaign featuring a dynamic map that gives players more freedom to approach the conflict. The game also offers several multiplayer factions, each with its own units and tactical options, making it a good fit for players who enjoy slower, more methodical battles that reward careful planning.
The free weekend also arrives shortly after the release of games’s major 3.0 update, which launched Nov. 5 as part of the franchise’s 20th anniversary celebrations. The free-to-play promotion runs until Monday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. PST. This is a temporary trial rather than a free-to-keep giveaway, so players will need to purchase the game to continue playing once the promotion ends.