El Alamein

About this board game

El*Alamein is a 2010 deck-building game for 2–5 players, with play lasting about 60 minutes. Set during World War II, it depicts the first battle of El Alamein as the Axis powers push through Africa in an attempt to conquer Alexandria.

As a sequel to Arclight’s Barba*Rossa, El*Alamein continues the series’ distinctive presentation while offering a game of its own. Its artwork features scantily clad ecchi manga girls, giving the historical setting an unmistakably stylized visual identity.

Players who prefer a more traditional historical look can choose the separately available historical edition, which uses photographs instead of the manga artwork. This creates two different presentations of the same World War II subject while preserving the game’s connection to its predecessor.

• Players: 2–5
• Play time: approximately 60 minutes
• Release year: 2010
• Format: compatible sequel to Barba*Rossa

Although it is technically possible to use cards from both games together, El*Alamein is primarily a complete experience in its own right. It is therefore better understood as a compatible sequel than as a standalone expansion.

With its combination of deck-building, a World War II setting, and an unusual manga-inspired aesthetic, El*Alamein stands apart from conventional historical games. It offers a distinctive entry in the series for players interested in the Battle of El Alamein and Arclight’s visually unconventional approach.