Continuing the venerable World War II franchise, THQ today announced Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, an upcoming standalone chapter in the strategy series.

In development at Relic Entertainment, it will be a completely standalone game, offering three new single-player campaigns, new multiplayer modes and new maps and units. Interestingly, it will also introduce a “direct-fire” feature, giving players “more tactical control of their units and more strategic options in-game.”

Despite being standalone, it will be compatible with the previous entries in the series, with THQ claiming that it will give gamers “complete access to the epic battles of World War II.”

The game is due out sometime in Spring 2009.