Hearts of Iron 2: Doomsday Expansion Pack

Hearts of Iron II: Doomsday is an intriguing real-time strategy game for the PC that begs some interesting "what if" questions related to World War II. Hearts of Iron II: Doomsday includes all the campaigns from the original Hearts of Iron II that take place in 1936, 1939, 1941, and 1944, as well as a new mission that continues the battle in 1953. The world of Hearts of Iron II: Doomsday is both familiar and strange, with events that often come to drastically different conclusions than they did historically.

Events often come to drastically different conclusions than they did historically. View larger.

This game is reminiscent of the classic WWII board game, Axis and Allies. View larger.

This version of Hearts of Iron II also includes updates and expansions requested by gamers, with technology, units, and abilities being added for each side to make for a balanced gameplay. What is also intriguing is the ability to resolve the entire conflict through diplomatic means rather than by force -- a trait that sets this game apart from most WWII strategy games. Players can trade weapons and secrets with allies to strengthen themselves as well as their alliances.

This game is reminiscent of the classic WWII board game, Axis and Allies, but has the additional advantages of the computer platform -- more complexity, and real-time gameplay -- that keeps the action non-stop. One particularly unique aspect of Hearts of Iron II: Doomsday is your ability to play from more than just the traditional "big boys", such as the US, UK, Russia, Italy, Japan and Germany; in fact, you can play as any one of 175 countries. You also have the option of which year to start and what specific missions to try, which is especially important as the only way out, other than by winning, is by surrendering.

It's also important to choose which technological path to take, rather than simply assigning certain strengths based on your choice of side or nation. Technology is broken down into different categories, such as Air Doctrine, Land Doctrine, Armor and Naval units, as well as the classic and sometimes all-important Secret Weapon programs. In order to make technological progress, you'll need to assign teams to work on specific projects, many of them based on real historical programs. Each team has different sets of skills that allow them to work on different projects, while each project focuses on a different field. The expanded technological tree in Hearts of Iron II: Doomsday even allows you to develop nuclear weapons. Another important factor in this game is diplomacy, in which your choice of allies can say as much about you as who your foes are. The all new diplomatic options and intelligence system lets you steal and sabotage equipment, control mass media, start riots, and even assassinate ministers and leaders.

Price: $19.99

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