Heroes of Normandie
- October 1, 2015
- Cat Rabbit
- 7h median play time
"Heroes of Normandie" is a steam game adaptation of a popular board game, known for its humor, tactical depth, and engaging strategy. Players command small squads in D-Day campaigns, with numerous units, equipment, and abilities to utilize. The game offers single-player campaigns, skirmishes, a rogue-like mode, and multiplayer, promising tons of content and future updates.
Reviews
- The game is a faithful adaptation of the original board game, providing a fun and engaging tactical experience.
- Graphics and art are well done, capturing the essence of the board game with a humorous touch.
- The game offers a variety of missions and modes, including a hot seat local multiplayer option, making it enjoyable for casual play.
- The game suffers from numerous bugs and technical issues, including problems with the user interface and unresponsive buttons.
- Many players report that the dice mechanics favor the AI, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- The tutorial is poorly designed, leaving new players confused about the game's mechanics and rules.
- story66 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 83 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as simple and uninteresting, with missions that often feel repetitive after a few rounds. While the campaign consists of around 40 missions across three factions, players noted that the gameplay can become monotonous, and many objectives can be completed with minimal strategy. However, the inclusion of a mission editor and humorous elements in mission briefings provide some creative and entertaining opportunities for players.
“There are a lot of funny moments in the campaign mission briefings, playing on WWII movie characters and stereotypes.”
“The tutorial missions work well to teach players the concepts, and the single-player missions provide a good deal of tactical training and hours of play.”
“- Content is plenty: 6 story campaigns (one is a tutorial), 2 hardcore-mode campaigns, skirmish scenarios, and multiplayer.”
“The missions are guiding the player through a simple and uninteresting story.”
“After 10 missions, you feel the same gameplay over and over again; I doubt you have the passion to finish 36 missions.”
“What is worse, a lot of the missions can be beaten by simply moving a unit across the map and grabbing the objective, does it matter that it's still guarded by two MG42 nests and a Panzer VI?”
- gameplay52 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its tactical depth and engaging mechanics, reminiscent of classic board games, though some players find it repetitive after a few missions and criticize the lack of explanation for certain mechanics. While the visuals and overall design are well-received, issues such as unbalanced scenarios and reliance on dice rolls detract from the experience for some. Overall, the game offers a solid tabletop experience with room for strategy, but may leave players wanting more variety and clearer instructions.
“Great tactical board wargame - superb art and visuals and engaging gameplay.”
“The gameplay is exactly what I've been looking for to scratch the 'Advance Wars' and 'European Battlefield' itch from my childhood.”
“Gameplay is pretty tight and there are enough units and builds to keep things interesting until the expanded content starts to appear.”
“After 10 missions, you feel the same gameplay over and over again; I doubt you have the passion to finish 36 missions.”
“Kind of underwhelming; some of the mechanics are kind of useless, others are poorly explained, and after a while, the art style loses its novelty.”
“Poor game mechanics, results based on dice, totally unbalanced scenarios...”
- graphics46 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the impressive artwork and faithful representation of the board game, while others find them underwhelming and lacking in depth. Many users appreciate the charming visuals and animations, though some note that the graphics are not particularly flashy or groundbreaking. Overall, the visuals are considered decent and suitable for a light-hearted digital board game experience, but they may not satisfy those seeking high-end graphical fidelity.
“Graphically impressive.”
“Amazing game, with nice graphics and so much content.”
“Graphics are amazing, capturing the tabletop look perfectly with square chits covered in unit stats and great looking artwork of the many different unit types.”
“This is a digital board game, so don't expect flashy graphics and mind-blowing effects.”
“There is no way to control graphics or sound through the use of a settings or options menu.”
“Technically speaking, the game is not top notch, but the graphics and sound are pleasant.”
- humor18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by a mix of lowbrow cartoons and clever references to WWII movie characters, providing an entertaining and colorful atmosphere. While some players appreciate the lighthearted approach and personality infused from the original board game, others feel it lacks historical respect and depth. Overall, the humor adds charm to the tactical gameplay, though opinions on its effectiveness vary.
“There are a lot of funny moments in the campaign mission briefings, playing on WWII movie characters and stereotypes.”
“It's presented in a colorful way and with a lot of humor, but don't be fooled - it's a legit and challenging tactical wargame.”
“It's not Advanced Squad Leader, but it's very well designed and chock full of personality and humor (most of it coming from the original board game).”
- stability16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent bugs, glitches, and freezing, which detract from the overall experience. While it runs well on certain systems, many players feel it is unpolished and lacks essential features, leading to a perception of abandonment by the developers. However, some users appreciate the developers' engagement with the community and their commitment to addressing these problems.
“Runs great on Windows 8, NVIDIA card, 1920 x 1080.”
“However, it's just too buggy.”
“In this game, there are a few instances where the game just won't let you or it freezes.”
“A very casual game that does not live up to the original, with poor content, many annoying bugs and glitches, unpolished and as it seems abandoned by its developers.”
- music6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally considered generic, featuring a limited selection of tracks. However, it effectively complements the sound effects, creating an immersive audio experience that enhances the intensity of battlefield action.
“Sound effects and music come together as an explosive union of audio majesty, as thundering tank fire from cannons shakes the battlefield with shattering might and infantry rifle fire goes zigging across tree lines to hit their targets.”
“The music is a bit generic.”
“Music is put together by a couple of generic tracks.”
“Sound effects and music come together as an explosive union of audio majesty, but the overall experience feels lacking.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is enhanced by a dynamic map with diverse terrain that influences unit performance, allowing for strategic gameplay with various unit types, each possessing unique stats and abilities. Players can improve their army over time by earning gold based on their battle performance, promoting a rewarding progression system.
“A map with varying terrain that affects unit performance, including unit types from simple infantry and specialized infantry to light, medium, and heavy armor, each with different stats, traits, and abilities.”
“After each battle, you gain more gold based on your performance, allowing you to continuously build and optimize your army.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The introduction of a battle editor significantly enhances the game's replayability, allowing players to create their own battles and engage with those crafted by others, fostering a dynamic and varied gameplay experience.
“Now that they have released the editor, the game has even more added replay value with the ability to create my own battles and play those created by others.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a lighthearted and humorous tone, creating an enjoyable experience that doesn't take itself too seriously.
“The atmosphere is slightly humorous and doesn't take itself too seriously.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews do not provide any specific insights into the monetization aspect of the game, focusing instead on the graphic violence and nostalgic elements of gameplay. Therefore, no clear summary regarding monetization can be drawn from the provided texts.