GameShark: How do you evaluate an expansion pack for a game that has been patched as many times as Hearts of Iron 3? Though I was very impressed by the core design and customizable experience of HoI 3, it had AI issues from day one and it took some time to work that out. So even without the expansion, it is a far more challenging and interesting game than it was on release.
One of Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studios’ most expansive videogames will get even bigger this autumn. Hearts of Iron III will see a new expansion that offers players a greater connection to the period’s history and new ways to jump straight into the action.
GamersGate have launched their midweek sale offering up to 70% off Hearts of Iron titles as well as offering up to 66% off Renegade Ops in their video game deals of the day.
Allen Roush reviews the 3.05 version of Hearts of Iron 3, with both expansions.
Excerpt: "There are some limitations on how radically you can change the world. Due to the short time span (1936-1948) that the game allows you to continue into, you do not get to see the fruits of your labor. Countries will realistically join alliances the way they did in World War II; for example, there will be no Nazi-aligned United States. Most games will turn out very similarly. Almost 100% of the time, Germany will lose WW2 to all of the Allies in nearly the same way as it happened in real life. In fact, it is nearly impossible to win WW2 as Germany unless you can prevent the Soviet Union from declaring war on you as you try to invade the United Kingdom. Some would claim that this is realism, but this realism element can turn off many potential players."
