One feature Paradox is pushing with
Hearts of Iron III is the ability to automate certain aspects of gameplay. Previous games were fun, but for only a small handful of the gaming populace. With
Hearts of Iron III, you can assign A.I. assistants to oversee various parts of your empire. For instance, if you want to focus your efforts on your military exploits, you can ask the A.I. to tend to your economy. Alternately, you can run battles on multiple fronts; you tend to one while your advisors look after others. Players who want the help but aren't comfortable with handing a large army to the A.I. can still keep tabs on their digital-apprentice by handing out specific, broad orders such as attacking certain areas. The A.I. makes the game a little easier (it's a good thing), but there's still a lot of depth to dig through.
Hearts of Iron III is a game of information. Without up-to-the-minute details on your nation, you've already lost. The game offers dozens of strategic map overlays that offer information on anything you could ever want to know. Each is color-coded, so you'll know what you're looking for at a glance. Some indicate economic conditions while others show technology. During battle, you'll see green or red markers indicating how well battles are going. Another will indicate weather patterns, which directly influence your battle plans. Along with the overlays, on-screen indicators also sound to make sure you always know what's going on.
Time and a solid release will tell if Hearts of Iron III's A.I.-run additions will indeed make for a more accessible game, but coming from the hardcore strategy perspective, would-be world leaders will find a lot to like.
