Desert Rats

Desert Rats is the second entry in R. T. Smith’s World War II trilogy, alongside Arnhem and Vulcan. Developed and published by CCS, it covers the North Africa Campaign of 1941–42, from Rommel’s arrival in Tripoli through the Battle of El Alamein.

Players command Allied and Axis forces across a scrolling map in turn-based play. Units occupy a grid of rectangular cells and can be ordered to hold position, move, fortify, or assault. The campaign includes Operations Battleaxe and Crusader and the Battle of Gazala, while Malta Status settings can alter the balance of battles.

Several versions, including DOS and ZX Spectrum 128K, add Operation Compass and the Battle of Beda Fomm scenarios from December 1940 to February 1941. The game supports two players, with either side controlled by a person or the computer, and includes an instruction booklet containing historical notes, maps, and photographs.

Key details

• Release: 1985
• Platforms: Amstrad CPC, DOS, ZX Spectrum
• Genres: Strategy; turn-based strategy
• Developer and publisher: CCS