Order of Battle: Panzerkrieg is a 2017 DLC expansion for the turn-based tactical simulator, Order of Battle: World War II, requiring the base game to play. This content focuses on the critical winter of 1941 on the Eastern Front, tasking players commanding German forces to manage a strategic retreat near Moscow, break the Soviet counter-offensives, and regroup Panzer Divisions for a renewed offensive. It integrates new operational scenarios and challenges into the existing tactical framework of unit management and terrain control.
This content is a Downloadable Content (DLC) package for the base game, Order of Battle: World War II. Released in late 2017, this tactical, turn-based strategy simulator focuses on a critical and intense period of the Eastern Front conflict. It requires the base game to be played, integrating directly into the existing strategic framework established by the parent title.
Setting and Narrative Focus
This addition shifts the operational focus to the desperate struggle around Moscow during the harsh winter of 1941. The atmosphere centers on the Soviet Union's major counter-offensives following the initial defense of their capital. Players will command the German forces as they are forced into a strategic retreat, tasked with regrouping while maintaining vital positions in reach of the city. The core narrative arc involves breaking the Soviet momentum and replenishing the strength of the Panzer Divisions before resuming the ultimate offensive toward total victory.
Core Gameplay Additions and Scope
As a DLC, this content extends the main game by introducing a dedicated, focused campaign scenario centered on this specific historical turning point. It adds new operational challenges and mission objectives directly tied to the defensive and subsequent counter-offensive phases of the German army during this winter period. It builds upon the established turn-based tactical mechanics of the main game—involving unit movement, terrain utilization, and supply management—presenting a new set of strategic puzzles unique to this phase of the war.
What new strategic challenges does this content introduce?
The primary new element is the shift in momentum. Players must manage the immediate crisis of a forced retreat against the backdrop of severe winter conditions, demanding careful resource management and defensive positioning. Successfully weathering the initial Soviet onslaught is key before the player can transition back to offensive operations, requiring a different tactical mindset than a continuous offensive push.
Integration with the Base Game
This content is not a standalone experience; it functions as an expansion of the core
Order of Battle: World War II experience. It utilizes the existing roster of units, mechanics, and interface of the parent game, providing a substantial, new operational theater and storyline for players already invested in the simulation.
Platform Availability
This content is available for PC via Microsoft Windows and Mac platforms.
What is the genre of this tactical simulation?
The game falls under the genres of
Simulator,
Strategy,
Turn-based strategy (TBS), and
Tactical simulation, requiring careful planning across multiple turns.