New options open and close depending on international and domestic events, so it’s quite dynamic, shifting as the world descends into glorious chaos. Strictly speaking, there are multiple trees, though some are connected at their roots, while others are wholly separate. Ah yes, national focus – what’s that all about then? Essentially, these focuses are bonuses and event triggers that allow players to fine-tune both their country and its ambitions. I can research four different technologies all at once since we’re just so darn smart in Blighty, and the national focus tree is heaving with potential avenues for me to saunter down. On the plus side, I find myself blessed with options. The next election isn’t until 1939, so a democratically elected communist government is a long way off, if I want to go down that route instead of tearing the nation apart with a bloody revolt. Neville “Peace in our time” Chamberlain – is in power, and the Brits are staunchly democratic. Right now, the Conservative Party – the party of Mr. The political situation has me concerned, as well. The UK still hasn’t recovered from the Great War, which decimated a whole generation. Not only do I have to worry about this pokey – but still somehow very important – set of islands, I’ve got holdings in Africa, Asia and North America to distract me as well.
Unlike, say, Germany, which has very clear paths and goals with a focus on Europe, the UK’s influence spreads across the globe. And by a little bit, I mean I want to run for the hills.
Inheriting the keys to the UK in 1936 is just a little bit intimidating. Okay, okay, we’re done with the scene-setting. The rest of the world will act largely like it should, though some surprises are bound to occur, especially when I attempt to do something silly like stage a communist coup of the USA. 1936 - 1939 is where Hearts of Iron IV is most like a grand strategy game, before it transforms into a wargame. I’m picking the 1936 start because beginning the game in ‘39 means there’s almost no time to prepare before the war kicks off, which also means fewer ahistorical communist shenanigans. Not just a World War II simulator, it’s a What If scenario generator, answering the big questions like: how can Germany win the war? Can Argentina take over South America? And, of course, what if the UK was communist? Let’s find out.īefore we get started – I know! Ugh! More preamble – let’s talk about the setup. To give direction to my aimless pondering I fired up Paradox’s grand strategy-wargame hybrid, Hearts of Iron IV. Would I finally have the confidence to pull off a bushy, Stalinesque moustache? Would those red trousers which I bought on a day I lost all sense, but never wore, suddenly look good on me?
What if the UK was communist, I wondered as I munched on a gruesome burger from McDonalds while browsing for a new pair of Converses on my oversized smartphone.
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