Order of Battle: Sandstorm is a DLC expansion for Order of Battle: World War II, released in 2018, focusing on turn-based tactical strategy in the North African desert. Players command Italo-German forces, utilizing armored speed (blitzkrieg) to advance toward the Suez Canal. Distinctive gameplay involves managing severe logistical scarcity and environmental hazards like sandstorms, which directly impact unit movement and combat effectiveness within this focused campaign setting.
This content falls under the genres of Strategy, Simulator, and Turn-based strategy (TBS). The core gameplay loop involves leading military units in tactical, turn-based engagements. As an expansion, it utilizes the established strategic framework of the parent game but applies it to a new, focused historical context.
The atmosphere is defined by the harsh desert environment. Players must contend with the unique logistical and environmental challenges inherent to desert warfare. This setting dictates a focus on mobility and resource management, as the terrain and climate act as significant adversaries to mechanized operations.
This DLC introduces a dedicated campaign centered on the Italo-German push across the desert front. The gameplay strongly emphasizes blitzkrieg tactics, requiring players to leverage armored superiority and speed to outmaneuver entrenched Allied positions. Success relies on superior firepower combined with rapid deployment.
A key feature of this expansion is the introduction of environmental and logistical hurdles that directly impact moment-to-moment tactical decisions. Players must manage the scarcity of crucial supplies, which is vital for sustaining mechanized units far from established depots. Furthermore, players must navigate the effects of severe weather phenomena, such as debilitating sandstorms, which can severely impede movement, visibility, and operational effectiveness across the map.
This content is structured as a complete, focused campaign experience within the existing engine. It layers new environmental and scenario-specific constraints onto the established tactical framework of the base game rather than introducing entirely new core mechanics to the overall system.
This content provides a substantial, focused operational narrative set in North Africa, offering many hours of tactical gameplay for those invested in the parent title. This expansion is available for play on PC (Microsoft Windows) and Mac operating systems.