With the release of Hearts of Iron IV's No Step Back expansion pack and the free 1.11'Barbaorssa' patch next week, we can finally understand how the WW2 grand strategy game will change. Spoiler alert: It will change a lot.
In the past we have introduced a few bits and pieces, from Poland's rich alternate history to the fact that rework in the Soviet Union requires its own design team and various army changes and armored trains. We have also kept up with the rework of supplies as part of the free patch. Seeing all the contents listed in the patch notes really made us realize the importance of this update-Heart of Steel IV is about to enter a new era.
In terms of free patches, supply rework is not the only thing that needs to be overhauled. The experience generation in the early games now mainly comes from consultants, although active combat still allows you to learn a lot of knowledge to spend on other things, such as doctrine. The army, navy, and aerial doctrines once occupied a research position, but they are now folded into the new officer regiment view and can now be unlocked through branch experience.
This is part of a broader army management reform, and it closely matches other changes related to combat. What we are most excited about are those that target the antiquated combat elements of war games.
The logistics system alone requires players to relearn how to play the game, until Paradox released a convenient tutorial video to help you master the new system:
Elsewhere, when you turn off the historical focus, the way the artificial intelligence behaves is also changing, and what the notes observe will have a significant impact on non-historical games. There are also a large number of balance changes, from the province’s combat width, the equipment requirements of certain types of battalions, and the increased cost of basic technology.
Looking back at the advanced features you actually paid for in No Step Back, there will be five countries’ focus tree overhaul, a new tank designer mechanism, similar to the way you design warships, railway artillery units and other similar content, unique Wizard, and some additional features of the free officer regiment system, such as the ability to set preferred strategies.
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Hearts of Iron IV: No Step Back and the 1.11 update will be released on PC via Steam and Paradox stores on November 23.
Joe Robinson Partial Editor-Strategy
As a strategy game enthusiast of PCGamesN, Joe was the editor of Wargamer.com and wrote for Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Like Heart of Steel 4, Kerbal Space Program and Halo.