Combat involves moving troops into enemy territory, but once locked in, you can’t influence the outcome of battles directly – that’s about the only thing in Hearts III that can’t be micromanaged to a terrifying degree. Enemy nations are competitive and endlessly belligerent, forever snapping at your heels with inventive assaults. These cheats need one day of game time to take effect: instantresearch - Instant research this is a toggle, on and off, end of the.

Enemy AI also appears much improved from the second game: it's now forced to stick to the same rules as you. This support AI is a good match for a competent player, able to hold down one side of the fort while you focus on the bit you’re into. It's useful if you can’t be bothered recruiting new troops, for example. From production to diplomacy, a skilled player can craft a well-balanced nation with careful planning and a few fat history books.įor the less brave, Hearts III has an AI toggle, handing control of sections of your nation’s interests to your PC. Developers Paradox Interactive have split nation management into detailed menu screens, each covering an element of statecraft.

Displaying both macro and micro views of the world, the game’s scope is dizzying: everything down to brigade level has to be planned for and requisitioned.