WW2 grand strategy game Hearts of Iron 4 is cooking big Axis and Allies changes

Despite building Steam's leading WW2 grand strategy game, Hearts of Iron 4 developer Paradox refuses to rest on its laurels. Over nine years since it was first launched, the highly detailed World War II management sim boasts a 91%-positive rating on the Valve store from over 240,000 combined user reviews. As it nears double digits, Paradox has big plans for HoI 4, including a full redesign to the way factions work to make them more engaging. In a new developer blog, design manager 'Wrongwraith' walks us through what that might look like for the two biggest players, the Axis and Allies.

The factions overhaul in Hearts of Iron 4 is a long-term project that Paradox says is still in the "very early stages," and Wrongwraith emphasizes this again. "This is very much an iterative process. The final result, whenever this feature actually makes it into the game, might be totally different." The rough plan is to round out what's long been one of our best grand strategy games by tackling the comparatively one-note nature of factions and introducing manifests, goals, rules, initiatives, and an overarching influence system. Now, Wrongwraith demonstrates what that looks like in its current form.

Beginning with the Axis, which is of course initially led by Germany with its other major potential players being Italy and Japan, its manifest is focused on expansion. Wrongwraith ponders, "How do we measure conquest? In HoI terms it is probably the amount of controlled territory that is outside your core nation." Fulfilling that will grant you bonuses that benefit this aim, affecting the likes of non-core manpower and resistance to occupation.

The goals of the Axis include securing resource supplies, establishing a bastion of European continental countries, controlling key areas in and approaching North Africa to forge a protective barrier around its main territories, deploying an 'armored fist' of units capable of taking on any opposition, and preventing your foes from disrupting North Atlantic trade. As a group notoriously bad at cooperation, it begins "without any of the more cooperative features unlocked."

Japan, meanwhile, has other options at its disposal, with the option to lead the Greater East-Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere. Its manifest is all about securing the vital resources Japan needs, meaning its goals focus on making this possible. You'll want to ensure coastal security through naval dominance around Japan, China, and Thailand, secure oil supplies, and establish puppets. This includes looking to 'align China,' either by creating Chinese puppets within the country or conquering it altogether.

The Allies start with just a small set of four initial goals. 'Guardians of Peace' is, as you'd expect, about ensuring world peace. 'Arteries of Trade' tasks you with asserting your dominance over sea zones and trade routes. 'Atomic Race' covers the rush to be first to nuclear power, and 'Imperial Glory' wants you to hold onto key players from the colonial Empires amid the ever-shifting conflict. As the war progresses, additional goals can spring up in response to focuses and events.

Wrongwraith also dips into two more factions, the USSR and China. For the former, Paradox is considering the distinctions between a Communist block led by Stalin or Trotsky. "Where the Comintern under Stalin's lead would be more focused on border security for the Soviet Union and its allies, and securing key strategic locations, the Trotskyist one should be more about spreading the revolution - supporting communism in other countries and/or forcibly converting them."

The Chinese United Front, meanwhile, is themed around unity and resisting occupation, with a manifest focused on uniting and liberating China to ensure its territorial integrity. This results in goals such as controlling the coastline for as long as possible and organizing resistance to occupation, along with the likes of building sufficient industrial capacity to stand up against its aggressors, whether they be Japan or anyone else.

That's all for today, though Wrongwraith says the team "would love to hear your thoughts on what you think makes the historical factions different from each other. What other factions and goals would you like to see?" You can head to the official forum to contribute your own ideas. "We appreciate the feedback we are getting," they conclude, saying players have already provided "some really good feedback on factions, naval dominance, and coal/energy."

Hearts of Iron 4 is 70% off on Steam until Thursday July 10, so you'll pay just $14.99 / £12.59 for the base game. Head here if you're ready to step into the theater of war.

For other takes on the conflict, here are the best WW2 games on PC. If you're more invested in the methods than the setting, take a look through our pick of the best management games instead.

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