Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger

Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger is the third expansion of real time strategy game set in World War II and available on PC. This time developers from Paradox Development studio decided to bring players attention to eastern side of this conflict, where China and Japan battle each other even before the German invasion of Poland, considered the beginning of WW2. The expansion’s main attraction comes in form of new content for Middle Kingdom and various upgrades, like new paths for Japan and Germany.

Game mechanics

Both the Republic of China and the communists led by Mao Zedong gained access to complex trees of national objectives. The former can lead their nation based on ideas of Three Principles of the People of Sun Jat-Sen, the first president of the republic. On the other hand, communists can choose one of a few variants of their ideology. Both factions can get support on many fields of military development through relationship with world’s powers, even the hated Japan.

Japan and Third Reich got their national objective trees modified, letting them take alternative route on historical scenarios. Japan step the path of democracy, while Germany can revolt against Hitler in a civil war by fighting under the command of field marshal August von Mackensen. Overthrowing the leader of Nazi leads to restoration of the German Empire and opens cooperation with other countries against USRR.

Along that, Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger introduced mission and decision system. Players can trigger events that unlock special projects in exchange for influence, which helps reacting to upcoming situations. Missions require fulfilling certain tasks in exchange of bonuses or preventing penalties.

Additionally, Paradox Development team modified the way of organizing military: now field marshals lead groups consisting of armies commanded by generals. National unity has been divided into one parameter that shows support for a government and another that reflects support for war. Divisions can collect equipment left by enemy, and soldiers send to harsh environment (e.g. deserts) slowly learn how to operate on them. Lastly, airborne battles have been improved, with the implementation of volunteer squadron and the option of assigning plane squadrons to moving armies.

Last updated on December 18, 2017