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| Reviewer | Platform | Publisher | Developer | Players | Screenshots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Bailey | PC/Mac | Paradox Interactive | Paradox Interactive | 1-32 (LAN, Internet) | Here |
| Requirements | Buy from Amazon.co.uk | ||||
| 800MHz Processor, 128MB RAM, 1GB HDD Space, 4MB Video Card | Click here to buy Hearts of Iron II: Doomsday. | ||||
A standalone expansion pack. Where have I seen that before? Ah, yes, Cossacks II: Battle for Europe which I reviewed prior to this. Like Hearts of Iron II: Doomsday, BfE included the original game and was supplemented by new content, itself deemed by the developers not to be worthy of a proper expansion pack. So where does this leave us? Again in a situation where existing owners are short-changed, but newcomers get more for their money.
Of course, if you read my review of the original, then you'll already know that the game isn't for newcomers, at least not newcomers to the genre. In fact, the game's steep learning curve probably doesn't suit the more light-hearted RTS players; those who indulge in a bit of Age of Empires 3, for example. The very nature of game makes even the more strategy-heavy (and history-heavy) games I've recently reviewed, BfE and Take Command: 2nd Manassas, seem tame. Of course, if you get into HoI2 there's a very deep and enjoyable experience to be had, which is detailed in the original review. As it's not worth treading over the same ground twice, I recommend you read that if you're new to the series.
If you're well aware of HoI2, then you'll be interested to know what Doomsday has added. First up on the cards is an extension in the game's timeline. This means that you are taken beyond the realms of World War II, beyond the restrictive end-date of December 1947 that previously existed, and allowed to proceed up to 1953. Thus, new conflicts play a part, including the start of the Cold War. This also inevitably leads to the introduction of new technologies, such as the Jet Engine and Nuclear Warheads, into the game. This will, of course, change how you play not only after World War II, but during it; there are now different goals, and new alliances to consider. Remember, the Soviet Union will no longer be your ally from the end of the war...
Unfortunately, the effect is somewhat minimal, but the new edition also tries to shake things up with the new Doomsday mode that gives this edition its title. This is an alternative route through history, taking a look at what could have happened following the end of the alliances that won the war. The beginning of World War III beckons when the United States retaliates for the Soviet Union's invasion of Western Europe by nuking Moscow and other strategic locations. The resulting conflict is thus in your hands as you begin in 1945, and fans will be interested to play this one out, taking on the new balance of power.
That said, it's still a rather lacking package. A few other additions like an intelligence tab are nice, but still not repurchase-worthy. Also, some of the problems that were in HoI2 are still here. Though the AI has had an upgrade, it still faces some annoying problems in areas such as air attacks. The graphical issues that were present in the preview code, however, seem to have been sorted.
| Graphics | The clean and crisp 2D graphics are still here. | 7/10 |
|---|---|---|
| Gameplay | The game remains addictive, but also with a steep learning curve. The tutorial helps, but the game's appeal remains limited. | 9/10 |
| Value | There's even more to do than before, but the additions are not worthy of your money if you own the original package. If you don't, then the bargain price means you should add a couple more points to that score. | 7/10 |
| Lifespan | It could last weeks before, and the addition of Doomsday makes the campaign action even longer. Multiplayer also continues to act as a reason to keep playing, even if the competition is limited. | 10/10 |
| Audio | A good musical score, even if we have heard it before. | 7/10 |
| Overall | Some fans would feel short changed by purchasing this. The inclusion of the original full game to supplement a rather limited amount of additions gives a great value package, but only if you're new to the game. Besides all this, Hearts of Iron II is still an excellent strategy game, even if it is only for the hardcore. | 7/10 |
Click here to buy Hearts of Iron II: Doomsday from Amazon.co.uk.
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