I've just done a Victor Kiam...
Without the manual, it did take a bit of patience to get into the game despite having played Panzers but once I sussed the controls and the importance of planning and correct weapon choice the demo was a blast. If you are in any doubts about the game just get the demo. The first mission was over in 5 minutes as all you have to do is run around a harbour, shoot a few enemies and get on the boat. I will go back and have another look at that though for hidden objectives. The second mission was great though and soaked up most of my Sunday. You do have to reload a lot and even see how things pan out in order to get the correct equipment in place to succeed but this (minor) cheating does not matter.
The best part is the innovative reward system. I hate base-building games (including CoH, which is only DoW in WWII fancy dress) as I don't find them realistic at all. I can see the point in a fantasy scenario (I loved Warcraft III) where resource gathering can make sense but not in a war sim. In JTF mission success results in cash prizes that are then spent on units and equipment. This is a bit closer to reality (please read the excellent review by smartsurf (15 out of 18 users agree with it) for more on this. The damage system is hit-points conventional but still okay and better than in CoH where you can drive a tank up and down a mine field until it blows up (what rubbish - check out Soldiers: Heroes of WWII for the right way to do it but avoid the painful successor, Faces of War). In fact, if this was crossed with Soldiers, which also brings more options for stance and taking cover we would have the perfect RTS!
Given the equipment options there is loads of scope for replayability as you can choose a ground based attack, air support, long range artillery etc. etc.
The graphics are also top notch - the vehicle details are superb. I love pausing the game and just zooming in and out just to look at them.
I don't understand why this game is so unknown, it's great! I am giving it a 10 to try and bring up the user average as the Gamespot figure is totally misleading.