The next chapter in the #1 rated RTS franchise thrusts players into a hellish war torn landscape to command two battle-hardened armies in relentless campaigns for honor and country. Players lead the tenacious British 2nd Army during the heroic World War II liberation of Caen, France, and command the German Panzer Elite as they struggle...
The core real-time strategy gameplay revolves around capturing strategic control points on the map to generate resources like manpower, ammunition, and fuel. Players then use these resources to build and upgrade various military units and fortifications. The gameplay emphasizes tactical positioning, cover mechanics, and combined arms approaches, rewarding thoughtful unit management over sheer force of numbers.
Opposing Fronts introduces two new playable factions - the British 2nd Army and the German Panzer Elite. The British 2nd Army excels at fortification-based defense, with reduced access to mobile assault units but powerful static defenses and long-range artillery. This encourages a methodical, attrition-focused strategy. In contrast, the German Panzer Elite favors highly mobile, vehicle-centric tactics, with powerful heavy tanks and a hit-and-run playstyle that rewards aggressive maneuver warfare.
The expansion builds upon the dynamic environmental interactions, with the addition of varied weather conditions like heavy rain and fog creating new tactical considerations. "Mission persistence" also carries over player actions, captured territory, and resource levels between single-player campaign missions, fostering long-term strategic planning.
Opposing Fronts leverages DirectX 10 to deliver enhanced visual fidelity, with improved terrain detail, lighting, and special effects that create a more immersive and authentic World War II setting. The audio design, featuring accurate weapon sounds and voice acting, further contributes to the game's sense of realism.
The expansion allows players to combine factions and content from the original game and Opposing Fronts, dramatically expanding the possible army combinations and tactical strategies available in multiplayer. This extends the game's long-term replayability for dedicated fans.