Heroes of Normandie - Im waiting

[gameleaper]

Be interested in some detailed impressions...at first had no interest but seems like it could be some fun.  Never played the board game so really no reference point.  For $19 seems like it might be worth the risk.

don't know if Im qualified for some detailed impressions, but I would say its fun, and its got enough gameplay to be compeling, I played Hanabal (I cant spell Hanable, forgive me)from matrix, but the combat was a mere 1 point per unit against an opposing unit(boring) it looked good but it was boring combat. Normandie is interesting and a new form of tactical gameplay - its easy so no re-learning every six months (like when you get an old game out, and you forgot how to play) but the gameplay is flowing! and interesting! and its a definitely battle! feeling its dosnt go your way all the time. The Multiplayer looks like real FUN! no excessive knowledge needed , most people can play easily. and random roguelike campains . the single player skirmish mode allows for different battles too.

grim I don't think I can give you a qualified review, But I can say Ive never enjoyed a game so much

[Nefaro]

HoN is a lot of fun.  I played numerous games last night.

It can be brutal due to the swings and runs inherent with so many results depending on a single d6 die roll.  It really needs the card system from the tabletop game implemented, to help lend extra control over such things (and provide surprises for your opponent).  Looking forward to that.  In the meantime, it's still quite enjoyable and moves along at a fairly swift pace for a turn-based game.  O0

[Grim.Reaper]

Thanks for the input guys, most likely will purchase...just doesn't seem to be much activity on this game, so was concerned maybe not so great.

[tgb]

I'll second that the pace is very quick, especially for a turn-based game.  Scenarios are 8 turns at the most, and a lot of them are 4 or 5.  Add in the fact that there is a limit as tohome many units you can activate/turn, and games easily finish up in half an hour or less.

[Arctic Blast]

I do like it, with a few complaints.

Some of the special abilities aren't working. For instance, machine gun teams in the board game can spray fire across adjacent units. That doesn't exist here, which makes a machine gun a lot less fearsome than it is in the physical game. Also, many light vehicles (such as halftracks) can load and carry infantry...not here. Hopefully this stuff is coming.

My biggest complaint, though : the bizarre design decision to lock away actually interesting skirmish maps until you win all 4 of the small 2 tile boards. 2 tile boards are pointless. They aren't fun. There isn't any strategy. It's just 'hurl everything in to the meat grinder and repeat ad nauseam until someone wins'. Ugh. Bigger boards are where the game shines, and those are hidden away. Also, the only mission objective for skirmish matches seems to be 'kill the other team'. There's no fighting over objectives or racing to get to a certain bridge or ridgeline.

I haven't played any MP yet. I certainly hope it isn't initially locked into the same weird small map requirement.

[Grim.Reaper]

I ended up buying and agree....I was disappointed to see things locked...I hate unlocks in a game:). I know they are supposed to represent a challenge or progression, but if I buy something, I want everything to be available.

[gameleaper]

I hate unlocks too, I just looked at the maps you need to win until the next tier is unlocked its only 4 Maps, but I would realy realy want slith and matrix to unlock them.

I found no direct notes on things like grenades and MGs, I may have skimmed passed them , but it seems no info on weapons, they are prob straight forward damage dealing - but Id of liked a few words in the Manual,

the abilities units can have are fantastic, there are lots of things like recon, ambush, suppressive fire, there great treats for tactical play.

I don't mind the single board Maps - even if it reduces stategy , aslong as you can also have the bigger Maps too.

[-budd-]

I agree the unlocks suck. Over at slitherine they said they would be unlocked next patch. The game is well presented and fun and plays quick but your right the small maps kind of limit the strategies, i would think that would of come out in beta testing. Maybe spoon feeding for mass audience. I wonder what the map size limit is, if the editor is as easy as they claim there shouldn't be any lacking of maps. I guess making map is just putting tiles together.

[Grim.Reaper]

I agree the unlocks suck. Over at slitherine they said they would be unlocked next patch. The game is well presented and fun and plays quick but your right the small maps kind of limit the strategies, i would think that would of come out in beta testing. Maybe spoon feeding for mass audience. I wonder what the map size limit is, if the editor is as easy as they claim there shouldn't be any lacking of maps. I guess making map is just putting tiles together.

Thanks for the heads up on the locks being removed...good news.  I do understand some people like unlocking things but what I can never understand is why the developers just don't make it an option so both sides are satisfied....always seems like it is one way or the other.

[tgb]

 I'm giving serious consideration to shelving the game for now only because I keep hearing how important the cards are in dealing with unlucky rolls, and I think I want to wait until they're in before tackling the tougher campaigns.

[Greybriar]

I just noticed on the Slitherine forums that they've "simplified the way you get your game on steam. Your serial number for the installer is now your steam key. No need to generate a steam key, just use your serial"

Sounds like good news to me.

[Grim.Reaper]

I just noticed on the Slitherine forums that they've "simplified the way you get your game on steam. Your serial number for the installer is now your steam key. No need to generate a steam key, just use your serial"

Sounds like good news to me.

I bought my key through Matrix and the key worked great in steam and stand-alone version.  One thing I haven't considered before, if you buy through steam you are covered under their refund policy, which means people can get a taste of Matrix games which a lot of people always want some kind of demo.  Of course you don't get the stand alone version as well, but not sure that really is important nowadays.

[Greybriar]

The main reason buying from Matrix/Slitherine appeals to me is that they get more money from the sale since Steam doesn't get its cut.

Good point about Steam's refund policy. But the last game I remember returning was one I bought from Babbage's; once purchased I haven't returned any games lately.

[Cyrano]

And now the PBEM++ server has gone rogue...

First it wouldn't let me in at all.

Now it's trying to log me in as some other user which, of course, results in me not being able to log in.

Far superior to being able to e-mail turns to my opponents or, you know, play them live.  Far superior...

[Tpek]

Is it just for me or does the game force your Email as your username everytime you log in to the game using Slitherine's credentials (I use my login name, but my Email is displayed instead!)