Order of War is a real-time strategy game set during the final stages of World War II. Released in 2009 for PC, it places players in command of large-scale forces during two major historical operations from the summer of 1944. One campaign follows American units through the Western Front operations that began with the Normandy landings. The other puts players in charge of German defenses facing the Soviet offensive in the east. The game emphasizes direct control over armored divisions, infantry, artillery, and air units across expansive battlefields without traditional base-building elements.
Gameplay
Core gameplay revolves around managing and directing up to 1000 individual soldiers along with tanks, armored vehicles, heavy artillery, and aircraft in real time. Battles unfold on large maps that represent key European theaters, with objectives tied to holding positions, breaking through lines, or repelling advances. The interface supports a dynamic camera system that maintains both an overview of the entire engagement and close-up cinematic views of individual units in action. Air support options allow calls for strikes, while ground forces engage in direct combat with a focus on combined arms tactics. Unit types include standard infantry, specialized mortar teams, and heavy bombers added through later content. Players issue orders to groups or individual elements, adjusting formations and priorities as the situation changes on the battlefield.
Game Modes
The game features two distinct singleplayer campaigns that differ in storyline, mission structure, available units, and map environments. The Allied campaign centers on operations in the west, while the German campaign focuses on eastern front defensive actions. In addition to the campaigns, a survival mission mode requires players to hold defensive positions against successive waves of enemy attacks for as long as possible. Multiplayer and skirmish options support head-to-head or cooperative battles on dedicated maps, where the same large-scale command mechanics apply. Free downloadable content expanded available units with German Arado and Allied B-24 Marauder heavy bomber squadrons, infantry mortar launchers, and off-map heavy artillery strikes accessible through the support menu.
Historical Context and Scale
Order of War draws directly from documented events of 1944, framing player decisions around the real strategic pressures faced by both sides. The Western campaign recreates the push following the D-Day landings toward the liberation of Paris. The Eastern campaign depicts the German effort to counter a massive Soviet advance that ultimately cleared occupied territory. This dual perspective highlights differences in available equipment, terrain challenges, and tactical priorities between the two fronts. The scale remains consistent across modes, with battles involving hundreds of units moving simultaneously across open fields, forests, and urban areas. Camera controls help track these movements while preserving visual detail on key engagements.
Is It Worth Playing?
Order of War suits players who enjoy large-scale real-time strategy focused on battlefield command rather than resource management or base construction. Its two campaigns provide separate experiences with unique missions and unit rosters, while the survival mode offers an endless defensive challenge. The free content additions remain integrated into the base game and expand tactical options without requiring additional purchases. As a title from 2009, it runs on modern systems through standard compatibility layers and continues to appear in digital storefronts for singleplayer and multiplayer sessions. Those interested in World War II strategy games that emphasize historical operations and direct unit control will find its mechanics straightforward and its presentation focused on the intensity of armored warfare. The absence of ongoing updates means the experience stays fixed at its original scope, which appeals to players seeking a complete, self-contained campaign package.
