Company of Heroes 2 closed beta dated, detailed

Sega will launch a Company of Heroes 2 closed beta on April 2, showcasing the strategy title’s competitive multiplayer and skirmish gameplay. Players will be able to test out six maps, 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 and 4v4 competitive matches. They’ll also be able to play alone or with friends against the AI and have access to the first 40 levels of progression.

Set to be hosted on Steam, the beta will initially only be open to eligible pre-order customers, although a second phase will welcome more players “in the coming weeks”. Company of Heroes 2 producer Greg Wilson said: “We invite our fans to help us test and balance the game prior to launch, as well as see the changes we’ve already made since the Alpha test in December.”

Sega recently delayed the Company of Heroes 2 release date from this month to June 25, 2013 in North America and Europe. The publisher acquired Relic and the Company of Heroes franchise from THQ for $26 million in January.

Get our hands-on impressions of the game’s online component in this Company of Heroes 2 multiplayer preview. We also said of the title's campaign in this Company of Heroes 2 preview: “CoH2 feels like the Company of Heroes you know and love, with more strategic wrinkles - like body temperature and cracking ice - to keep you on your toes.”