Every now and then, you snag a game that reminds you why this hobby is so rewarding. That happened this week when Storm Over Normandy arrived in the mail — and at only $30, it was an absolute steal.

If you’ve followed Cardboard Commander for any length of time, you already know I have a soft spot for area movement games. There’s something about the way they strip away unnecessary complexity and force players to think operationally that really clicks with me. Storm Over Normandy sits comfortably in that sweet spot.

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Why Storm Over Normandy Caught My Eye

Storm Over Normandy is a World War II operational-level wargame that covers the Allied invasion and breakout in Normandy. Instead of relying on hexes, the game uses area movement, which emphasizes maneuver, timing, and pressure over exact positioning. The result is a fast-moving, decision-heavy experience that still feels grounded in history.

Area movement games shine when:

• You want to focus on command decisions, not micromanagement
• The flow of the campaign matters more than individual fire fights
• Momentum, initiative, and timing drive the narrative

That’s exactly what this system promises, and it’s why I couldn’t pass this one up when I saw it available at such a great price.

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First Impressions (Pre-Unbagging)

Even before getting everything on the table, Storm Over Normandy gives off that classic wargame vibe — clean design, a clear operational scope, and mechanics that look like they’ll reward planning without bogging the game down.

This feels like the kind of game that:

• Gets to the table quickly
• Plays smoothly once you understand the system
• Encourages replay as players explore different approaches

And for $30? That’s the kind of value that doesn’t come around often in this hobby.

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What’s Coming Next on Cardboard Commander

🎥 Unbagging Video
I’ll be doing a full unbagging video soon, taking a close look at:

• Components and counters
• Map and layout
• Rules and setup
• Initial thoughts on production and design

🕹️ Playthrough
After that, we’ll get Storm Over Normandy on the table for a playthrough, where I’ll walk through the decisions, mechanics, and flow of the game to see how it holds up in action.

If you enjoy watching games played with commentary and honest reactions — wins, mistakes, and all — you’ll want to catch this one.

👉 Be sure to check out Cardboard Commander on YouTube and subscribe so you don’t miss the unbagging or the playthrough:
https://www.youtube.com/@cardboardcommander

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Final Thoughts (For Now)

Storm Over Normandy checks a lot of boxes for me already:
✔ World War II
✔ Operational scope
✔ Area movement
✔ Affordable entry point

I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays and how it stacks up against other area movement titles I enjoy. If it delivers at the table the way it looks like it will, this one could easily become a regular in the rotation.

More to come soon — until then, keep pushing cardboard.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/58625/storm-over-normandy