expansion pass Archives

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

One of the most expansive WW2 strategy games ever is free to play right now, and cheap to keep if you love it

Hearts of Iron 4 is offering a free weekend for players to access the base game, coinciding with the release of the new DLC expansion, Hearts of Iron 4: No Compromise, No Surrender. Players can access the game for free until Monday, allowing them to explore its features without financial commitment. The expansion focuses on the Pacific theater and introduces new historical pathways for Japan, China, and the Philippines, although it is not accessible during the free period. Community reactions to the expansion have been mixed, with only 43% of user reviews being positive, citing concerns over pricing and content. A significant discount of 70% off the base game is available until December 4, along with nearly a decade's worth of content at up to 50% off. An updated 'Complete Beginners Guide' has been released on the game's YouTube channel to help new players.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

New Hearts of Iron 4 DLC expands three major WW2 players, but it’s the factions rework I’m most excited about

Hearts of Iron 4 has released its latest DLC, No Compromise, No Surrender, which enhances gameplay and introduces new content focused on conflicts in Asia. The faction system has been overhauled with over 60 rules and 150 goals, improving player strategy. Military doctrines have been revamped, introducing a 'grand doctrine' for cohesive strategies across land, sea, and air, along with enhancements to naval combat. The DLC emphasizes gameplay for Japan, China, and the Philippines, each presenting unique challenges and strategic choices. No Compromise, No Surrender is available on Steam for .99 or as part of Expansion Pass 2 for .99.

AppWizard

November 20, 2025

Ark Survival Ascended confirms exact release date of its most ambitious expansion yet and unleashes a new beast

The Lost Colony expansion for Ark: Survival Evolved has been rescheduled for release on December 16. It will introduce new features such as skill trees, tames, and base-building tools. The expansion includes a new creature called the Ossidon, a large prehistoric primate with unique abilities. Additionally, it will feature NPC thralls, allowing players to control NPCs in new ways. Voice actors from the Netflix series Ark: The Animated Series, including Michelle Yeoh and David Tennant, will reprise their roles. Studio Wildcard aims to release Ark 2 within the next two years.

AppWizard

October 5, 2025

Strategy giant Paradox puts the final nail in its 4X rival to Civilization just 18 months after launch

Paradox Interactive has announced the closure of Millennia, developed by C Prompt, just 18 months after its launch. The game was intended to compete with Civilization 6 and support the upcoming release of Civ 7 in 2025. Despite receiving a score of 7/10 from a reviewer, Millennia struggled to gain popularity and failed to achieve positive ratings for its expansions, Ancient Worlds and Atomic Ambitions. Paradox confirmed that the latest patch would be the final update for the game, which will remain available for play. Recent Steam reviews have become increasingly negative, with users expressing disappointment over the game's perceived abandonment and unfinished state.

AppWizard

September 27, 2025

Steam’s WW2 grand strategy champion is expanding Japan, China, and the Philippines in new DLC

Paradox Interactive is celebrating a decade of Hearts of Iron 4, which attracts over 50,000 daily players and ranks among the top titles on Steam. In November, they will launch the second installment of their 'expansion pass' bundles, featuring a new DLC titled No Compromise, No Surrender, focusing on Japan, China, and the Philippines. Japan will have gameplay centered on dominating the Pacific, while China offers two paths: a Communist focus tree or a Nationalist focus tree. The Philippines will face challenges defending against invaders and can explore alternate-history scenarios. Expansion Pass 2 will also include three additional DLCs: Warships of the Pacific, Thunder at our Gates, and Peace for our Time, with the first releasing in early 2026. No Compromise, No Surrender launches on November 20, priced at .77 / £40.99, and includes future content and Seaplane Tenders unit art. Paradox will also make the naval expansion Man the Guns available for free.