The "full story" behind centers on its role as a complete collection of one of the mid-2000s' most prominent World War II real-time strategy (RTS) games . Developed by the Russian studio Nival , it followed the massive success of the original Blitzkrieg by moving the series into a full 3D engine while expanding its tactical scope. The Core Components

: Reviewers on GOG.com frequently recommend that version because it removes the original "StarForce" copy protection, which often fails to work on modern Windows systems.

Released in September 2005, it features three global campaigns for the USSR, USA, and Germany, covering more than 68 missions.

The Anthology is not a standalone "free" game but a retail and digital bundle that includes the original sequel and its two major expansions (often referred to as its DLCs):