The Second World War was arguably one of the most horrific events in human history. It claimed the highest death toll of any war and its unprecedented scale overshadowed all previous conflicts. Perhaps this is why society has struggled to move on from it. A brief look at modern media reveals how frequently we revisit stories from that era. This is largely because it is often regarded as the last so-called “true war” that humanity fought collectively. This sentiment is particularly evident in the RTS genre, which frequently draws inspiration from this period. Among these games, Steel Division 2 by Eugen Systems is a remarkable depiction of the Second World War.
Steel Division 2 is unique among games of the genre and era because it is, at its core, faithful. What I mean by that is the game doesn’t shy away from the gruesome parts of history and shows them as is. This also extends to the units and the missions themselves, which utilize the massive scale of the game to deliver an authentic experience. Players will control over a thousand men and other support units in an expansive strategic map. You must establish your supply lines for the soldiers and the armoured units, while also setting up outposts around key locations. All of this will be done with the aid of the over 600 available units. A number that doesn’t include the new upcoming units from the infamous Hell’s Highway campaign, part of the Nemesis #7 update.
Included in the new update are two new battlegrounds set to the backdrop of the highly contested Hell’s Highway. Which was one of the bloodiest battle sites in Operation Market Garden, which took place in September 1944. It was one of the final stands of the Axis powers and the final push for the Allies towards victory. Nemesis #7 also brings with it all new units and battle groups.
Such as the British 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division, which will operate more like a mechanized formation instead of an infantry one. All possible due to the aid of the Irregular Dutch BS Gids resistance fighters, which brought Dutch motorized Gevechtsgroepen and Marinier naval infantry detachments. Last but not least, joining the British and Dutch in a multinational division will be the Polish airborne Spadochroniareze. All three combined offer overwhelming offensive power comprising of infantry, tank, and air force. To top it all off, from the Axis we will see the Kampfgruppe Walther, which played a major role in the absolute failure of Market Garden. All due to the support of the numerous Panther Gs, newly introduced Panzer IV/70 tank destroyers, with backing from Sd.Ffz. 251/21 in AA and fire support roles.
There are few games quite like Steel Division 2, which strikes a perfect balance between player enjoyment and preserving historical context. This upcoming update reinforces that distinction, showcasing one of the most infamous Allied blunders and elevating it to new strategic heights. Will you take command of the Allies and rewrite history, or will you re-enact it with the sheer might of German armour at your back?
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