Split up in sections for more pleasant reading or reading of specific sections.
[u] Introduction: [/u]
After a good 1000 hours in the game, I think I'll write my first real steam review. Not because I think this game is in dire need of publicity in !any! form, but because it's also just too good to be ignored and forgotten of after it's successors SD2 and WARNO.
[u] Own feelings of the game: [/u]
For me, it is the perfect WW2 RTS and could've been even better, if there had been a bit more love for this game in terms of development. I honestly hate modern DLC policys, but I'd love to have more SD44 DLC's just for the game to keep getting updated. We could've had so many more maps and divisions, it's a shame.
SD44 got abandoned more or less two years after release, which basically is a joke for a game that good.
Despite that it's well rounded, has instinctive hotkeys for RTS fans, and units are quick to react to actions taken.
[u] Game mechanics [/u]
I personally was opposed to learn the game at the start, because it seemed so stressful and complex. Turned out it just was the right amount of everything. Like many strategy games it takes it's good time to really learn it [in my case around 100 hours], and that's okay. But if you overcome this initial hurdle, it's only getting better and better from then on.
The micro is easy to learn, hard to master. The macro is crazy in terms of possibilites.
The scale is just perfect. If you lose a valuable unit, it actually changes the outcome of the game, your resources are limited, as is the scale.
In SD2 it all loses it's individual worth and the map and scale overbloat to the point, that same levels of micro as in SD44 are not possible anymore. Someone that has good micro can still be a bad player because he knows nothing about cost efficiency or battle tactics.
The game is actually pretty balanced on a high level of player proficiency with slightly better Allies, nothing too crazy. Ranges, Vision, movement and fighting works extremely good down to 2-3 slight bugs or errors that don't affect everyday gameplay. One of those problems being the vision mechanics connected to hill maps.
It seems to be a bit random what one can see and what not, and there's not a reliable tool or mapmode, that let's you get more insight in that regard. You just roughly know: "Yeah this tank is looking barrel down the hill he should be able to shoot." but it's speculation in the end. Other than that among 1-2 minor errors its every aspect is astoundingly fleshed out, maybe somethings more or less not even on purpose by the developers.
The frontline system being a much better choice than the flag system, that SD2 utilizes. Not leaving winning or losing points to your map side or placement, but simply by the percentage of the map controlled.
[u] Graphics/Sound [/u]
The graphics and sound are not even standing out for a game that was made in 2017, however it has it's own charm. It's got more of a cartoon-ish look as in SD2. The portraits of Generals and Soldiers are stylized in the same way. The 3D effect are less fleshed out as in SD2.
But as someone who values practicality and a good running game more over being overpolished and bleak, I really like SD44's graphics. It's nothing crazy, but that also means the game runs on nearly every computer and it's not distracting.
One major Pro also being the design of counters in this game. Obviously the scale is too big for most of the models to actually be visible, but you can see the counters and change their size. The color scheme is made for good distinction of foe and friend. Overall a well rounded part of the game, that trades practicality for a deceiving facade.
Concerning sound, that is quite solid in my opinion, theres also a good community mod, that put more emphasis on realistic and more diverse weapon sounds, which takes around 2 minutes to download.
[u]SP Campaign:[/u]
Sweet little campaign with actually hard scenarios, even for seasoned players. It's apparent, that this campaign received the most love out of most game aspect, considering it got a ton of scenarios and maps, that are not even playable in MP.
[u] Community [/u]
I also started playing, when the community was already basically dead, desoite it theres still a sworn-in group of hardcore fans, that play it regularly. If you wanna get in there just search: [Steel Division Normandy 44 Elite] in the steam groups.
This fact makes casual games easy to set up and fun to play, because everyone knows the rules and at least somehow knows to play. The games can be balanced for a optimal experience.
In conclusion, I hope this game would reach a wider audience as it is vastly underrated and basically only got forgotten because of the fast release of it's (imo weaker) successor. It's wort the money and even worth to play if you will be too late to witness any multiplayer games. I liked the campaign aswell, even though I only play MP nowadays. So treat yourself to this game, maybe when it's on sale if you're not sure, and try it out. Every RTS player with a bit of patience to learn will have his joy with this game.
