[4] The player selects a faction (e.g. Soviets, Germans, or Allied forces) and gains control of many varied units such as infantry, tanks and artillery.

The game focuses primarily on tactics, eschewing traditional real-time strategy resource gathering and base development.

[6] Sudden Strike utilizes accurate in-game physics with houses and buildings obstructing units' view, line-of-sight and firing range whereas clumps of trees can provide cover to reduce the damage of tank ordnance.

Other units which are added into the add-on includes, but not limited to the Universal Carrier for the British; the BR-5 artillery, 160mm grenade launcher for the Soviet forces and more.

The German campaign puts the player into the winter setting of Russian hinterlands with limited troops and reinforcements available, thus relying on use of captured Soviet artillery as well as equipment.

[7] John Lee of NextGen gave a high praise to the game for its gameplay and the focus on tactical elements, graphics and visual effects, controls, and singleplayer and multiplayer campaigns.

[18] The Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland (VUD) presented it with a "Gold" award at the end of that month,[19] indicating sales of at least 100,000 units across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

[21][22] Following its 16th-place finish in February 2001,[23] the VUD upgraded the game to "Platinum" status (200,000 sales) and reaffirmed it as major commercial success.