Hearts of Iron IV: No Compromise, No Surrender

The main pros of the game

• Faction Rework: The new faction system allows for deeper control over factions, setting goals for AI allies, and integrating various aspects of military and intelligence operations, making the war effort more cohesive.
• Doctrine Rework: The military doctrine system has been improved, allowing players to create more tailored military strategies, although some users find the UI cumbersome.
• Naval Rework: Enhancements to the naval mechanics, including the addition of naval HQs and supply bases, have simplified naval gameplay for those who may not typically engage with it.
• Historical Accuracy: The focus trees for Japan and China have been praised for their historical context, providing a more engaging gameplay experience.
• Coal and Energy Resources: The introduction of coal as a resource adds a layer of strategy regarding resource management, particularly in the late game.

The main cons of the game

• Price: Many users feel that the DLC is overpriced at $30, especially when compared to previous expansions that offered more content for less.
• Focus Trees: The focus trees for China and the Philippines are criticized for being poorly designed, with many long, tedious focuses that detract from gameplay enjoyment.
• AI and Gameplay Issues: The AI struggles with the new mechanics, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. Users report bugs, crashes, and other issues that affect both single-player and multiplayer modes.
• Naval Invasion Mechanics: Changes to naval invasions have been met with disapproval, with players feeling restricted and frustrated by the new mechanics that limit strategic flexibility.
• Lack of Content for Minor Nations: Many minor nations, particularly Chinese warlords, received little to no new content, leaving players feeling that the expansion is unbalanced and neglectful.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• More Comprehensive Focus Trees: Users expected more focus trees for other nations in the region, especially for minor powers like Mengkukuo, Thailand, and others, which were not included.
• Better Integration of New Mechanics: There are calls for better implementation of new mechanics like coal across all nations, rather than just focusing on those included in the DLC.
• Quality Assurance and Bug Fixes: Many players feel that the DLC was released in a buggy state and lacked sufficient playtesting, leading to persistent issues that have not been addressed.
• Balancing of Gameplay Mechanics: Users want better balancing of the new doctrines and military mechanics, as they find some aspects to be overpowered or poorly designed.

Summary

• Overall, while the DLC introduces some interesting features and updates, it has been met with significant criticism regarding its pricing, content quality, and the overall execution of new mechanics. Many players recommend waiting for a sale or further updates before purchasing.

Summary generated on: December 15, 2025