In Hearts of Iron IV history can be fully relived or rewritten from the perspective of a global superpower attempting to change the world, or a small nation simply trying to survive. World War II is at your fingertips as you guide your nation, plan your research, build you forces and design sweeping battle plans that will put the world at your feet.

Take control of any nation in the world and guide it through humanity’s most trying hours. With a new and improved battleplan system, you will be able to direct sweeping movements of troops through steppes, deserts and jungles. Area and mission based systems take the micromanagement out of naval and air combat. Strategy fans will discover the most authentic real-time simulation of World War II to date, with authentic historical figures battling on land, sea, and air with period-accurate armies, vehicles, and newly discovered weapons of mass destruction – along with plenty of diplomatic and trade tactics.

The bitter fighting of the Eastern Front is given new depth and variety in No Step Back, the upcoming expansion to Hearts of Iron IV.

With new alternate history paths and game systems, this eagerly awaited add-on presents new challenges for fans of Paradox Interactive’s best-selling grand strategy wargame.

The centrepiece of No Step Back is a series of new National Focus Trees, giving players many new ways to imagine the course of World War II in Eastern Europe. Major nations have been entirely reworked to offer unique challenges and original histories.

The features for Hearts of Iron IV: No Step Back include:

• New Soviet National Focuses: Communist Soviet rulers must also deal with a government system full of distrust and betrayal but players can lift up party opposition to the powerful leader, or even pursue a reactionary path of restored monarchy.
• New Polish National Focuses: Write a new history of Poland, with options to reform the government, entrench the military rulers, or support a popular pro-Soviet uprising.
• New Baltic National Focuses: Shared alternate history paths for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as unique paths for each.
• Army Officer Corps: Build a general staff, drawing on the talents and expertise of available officers to take advantage of changes in technology and tactics.
• Army Spirits: Emphasize certain characteristics of your military arms, adding general bonuses to certain units types or even aiding division design.
• Supply System Updates: Scorched Earth tactics, floating harbors and special supply units added to the logistics system.
• Tank Designer: Design your own armored force using modules prioritizing speed, gun power, armor or even production cost.
• Railway Guns:  Commission the grandest, most prestigious of artillery pieces, uniquely designed to deal with entrenched foes, and fortified positions.

As a special bonus, those who pre-order No Step Back will get a musical treat - a new arrangement of the Soviet wartime folk song Katyusha, originally composed before the war, and named for the celebrated Red Army rocket launchers.

As usual, this expansion to Hearts of Iron IV will be accompanied by a major update free for all players, including new supply and logistics mechanics as well as many quality of life improvements.

Hearts of Iron IV: No Step Back will be available on November 23, 2021 for $19.99/￡15.49 / € 19.99.