Hearts of Iron IV Expansion Pass 3 wakes the American giant, starting with Romania

It's the late 1930s in Bucharest. The oil fields are pumping, would-be dictators are circling, and King Carol II would rather be at a party than at his desk. Somebody has to run Romania, and in Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass 3, that somebody is you.

Paradox Interactive has opened up the third expansion pass for its World War II grand strategy wargame, and it's headlined by a long-awaited rework of the United States and the other American nations. Smaller packs for smaller powers fill out the rest.

The Giant Wakes

The big one is The Giant Wakes. You'll lead the United States out of the Great Depression, build an Arsenal for Democracy that can stand up to international aggressors, and steer the shape of the post-war world. Canada gets reworked content of its own, and if you'd rather play somewhere warmer, the Central American and Caribbean nations get to forge their own path in the USA's backyard.

Hearts of Iron IV strategy map of North America with the United States labeled in large letters — The United States is the centerpiece of The Giant Wakes.

Paradox says the expansion also changes industry, army building and air landings, so even players who never touch Washington will feel it.

Hearts of Iron IV map showing the Communist States of America beside a political leader panel — Not every path keeps the Stars and Stripes flying.

Romania goes first

The first new content out of the gate is To The Bitter End, a Focus Pack for Romania arriving next week. It was built with modders Marijn 'marijn211' Vroegh, Vlad Alexandru Catalin and Daniel 'Norrman' Norrman, and it lets you rein in the king with a military dictatorship, back the monarchy, reform the constitution, start a red revolution, or pick between two flavors of fascism with the Iron Guard. There's also a new model for Romania's Vânători de Munte mountain troops, a 3D Arcul de Triumf and two new music tracks.

Hearts of Iron IV Dacian Kingdom focus tree with branching national focus icons for Romania — One of Romania's new focus trees in To The Bitter End.

Rounding out the pass, The Price of Peace theater pack adds new diplomatic options, including the League of Nations, plus national content for Burma, South Africa, Yugoslavia and Venezuela. Songs of Liberty, three classic American patriotic songs newly arranged by Paradox, unlocks the moment you buy the pass.

Expansion Pass 3: $43.99 / £36.99 / €43.99, available now
To The Bitter End: $5.99 / £4.99 / €5.99, out November 19

Hearts of Iron IV map of Colombia and Venezuela on the northern coast of South America — Venezuela, Burma and South Africa all get new content in The Price of Peace.

Hearts of Iron IV map of British Burma between the British Raj, Yunnan and French Indochina — Venezuela, Burma and South Africa all get new content in The Price of Peace.

Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass 3 is available now, and you can pick it up on Steam here, with To The Bitter End landing on November 19. Stay tuned to GamingTrend.com for our review, and for all your upcoming reviews, previews, and gaming news!