An excellent, challenging WW2 style Real Time Strategy game.
Let's go with some basics,
Part of the game before going into any battle is deck building from a selection of Allied and Axis (Though mostly German) divisions with differing playstyles, from slow-gradual armor divisions, fast-paced knife fighting armored divisions, to the various types of infantry divisions, all of them with a unique aspect to make their decks unique. Most - knock on wood -, most divisions have some way to stand against every division with some parts of their deck, but the largest choice in deck building is what do you sacrifice, and what do you excel in.
After the deckbuilding part, you can now go into the main game. There's three different modes, Breakthrough mode where you capture a set objective, Destruction - destroy as many enemy units you can -. and Conquest - capture as much ground as you can, no matter the cost. The standard modes are Conquest.
And this is where the game turns it's unique feel completely here - this game has a difficult learning curve on in-game command. It isn't clunky or difficult to do stuff, but the game quickly turns fast paced as you constantly command your troops, vehicles, support weapons, and aircraft whilst trying to constantly reinforce your frontlines. What you get (Or have) to reinforce your front lines can make or break games, as each side desperately try to gain every little advantage.
Anyways, in this, we talk balance... You have Axis divisions, generally* weak early game with generally weaker early reinforcement point economy and costly units. Most Axis divisions, however, have very powerful heavily armored vehicles that are very strong against armor. Allied divisions generally* have an edge early game with better reinforcement point economy to get more early game, but they don't have any true heavy armor as to the Axis divisions. It is hard to compare, as their playstyle completely differs as Allied and Axis divisions have completely different types of units that are different in strengths.
Now that we have multiplayer and solo skirmish matches against bots done with, let's get with the singleplayer. There are 3 campaigns. The easy (The American Campaign), the hard (The German Campaign), and the very hard (The British Campaign). They have limited replay value, but are a good challenge with the limitations and objective you are given. You also have various scenarios you can play as mini-campaigns (These are multiplayer as well), and they can serve as fun maps to play on with premade decks.
Anyways, the last point to make... Yes, this game is at it's last leg. Very few people play on public servers now, as most people have moved onto Steel Division 2. Comparing Steel Division 2 to this would be wrongful, as Steel Division 2 is very little like Steel Division Normandy - from different engagement ranges (Map included to go with the reworked engagement ranges), units, and mechanics that basically change the core of the gameplay. But, if you enjoy the faster paced, knife fighting, and the uniqueness of how each division feels and plays, and maybe have a friend, this will be a game to enjoy a few matches with.
Coming back after time in Steel Division 2, I have to say this game has a very unique charm to it. Every division and battlegroup you make in Steel Division Normandy 44 is always unique compared to another. The point economy being different makes every battlegroup different, and the decks are given unique enough differences to be unique to play. Not only that, but every single card is given their unique art - unlike Steel Division 2 -, and all the infantry are uniquely different in their mechanics.
