New Hearts of Iron 4 DLC expands three major WW2 players, but it's the factions rework I'm most excited about

As Hearts of Iron 4 storms through its tenth year since launch, new DLC No Compromise, No Surrender has finally arrived to deliver a comprehensive upgrade to the conflict in Asia. One of the best WW2 games, HoI 4 can still be found ranking high on Steam almost a decade on, and this latest expansion is the headliner of its second add-on pass. No Compromise, No Surrender follows in the footsteps of Crusader Kings 3's All Under Heaven, bringing major additions to the nations of Japan, China, and the Philippines, along with core system overhauls to the likes of factions, military doctrines, and naval combat.

Before we dig into the meat of the new Hearts of Iron 4 expansion, it's worth talking about the complete transformation to factions that Paradox has now completed. A long-standing piece of the puzzle that has always been a bit underwhelming, they should now feel much more distinct from one another. With more than 60 fundamental faction rules and over 150 goals ranging from short-term to long-term, you're able to much more clearly define what you and your allies stand for and how you're going to achieve your stated aims.

Military doctrines have been replaced across the board (for army, navy, and air forces). Head to the new-look tabs and establish a 'grand doctrine' that encompasses your overarching strategy for each avenue of war. Then complement that with a set of sub-doctrines digging into more specific aspects; on land, for example, this breaks down into 'infantry,' 'artillery and combat support,' 'armor,' and 'operations.' Naval combat has also been given some much-needed love, along with new naval special projects to pursue.

These changes mean that you'll have a fresh experience no matter what nation you're playing as, but the big overhauls are to be found across the aforementioned Asian nations. Play with Japan and you'll be tasked with goals including establishing reliable energy supplies, securing naval supplies, and pushing your industrial tempo ahead of your rivals. You'll also need to watch carefully for potential rebellions to stamp them out before they can pick up steam.

Take control of China, and you're able to either establish them in a Nationalist or Communist direction, with separate focus trees for each. Will you stand behind the republic and force the warlords out? Or gather that momentum and secure the end of the old order, uniting the nation behind the Communist banner? Either way, you'll need to tackle resisting forces from within your borders as much as outside of them.

The Philippines, meanwhile, has the unique benefits and detriments that come from its island composition. While history would have you battling for independence, you're also able to instead pursue allies among countries that might have been considered in opposition to you. With a wealth of natural resources at your back, striking careful deals could put you in a stronger position than a more militaristic approach, but only if you choose your partners carefully.

Hearts of Iron 4 DLC No Compromise, No Surrender is out now on Steam, priced at $29.99 / £24.99. It's also available with Expansion Pass 2, which costs $48.77 / £40.99. Whether you're picking up the newest addition to the HoI 4 roster yet or just want to check what's changed with the base game, you can read the latest patch notes courtesy of Paradox Development Studio.