On top of new national focus trees for countries in South East Asia, the German Reich, led by infamous dictator Adolf Hitler, has a new updated tree. Therefore, after successes in Manchuria, Japanese attention shifted towards the Chinese front, and in July 1937, Japanese troops attacked Chinese troops stationed on the Marco Polo Bridge, thus beginning the Sino-Japanese conflict, which Waking the Tiger focuses upon. Japanese expansion in South East Asia began in 1931 after the Japanese Kwantung Army invaded Manchuria and formed the puppet state Manchukuo, which is also a playable nation in the game, with their own unique national focus tree, which allows the player to break away from Japanese control and re-establish the Qing Empire. Although it is not a direct part of the game, it is vital to understand the context behind the DLC. Players of the game, and appreciators of their modern history, will understand that the Japanese Empire wanted to expand into South East Asia, and be able to capitalise on the vast amount of resources Manchuria and China had to offer. I spent the majority of time playing as Communist China, which is led by Mao Zedong, and found their unique tree particularly intriguing. StoryĪs previously stated, Waking the Tiger focuses on the conflict surrounding China in the earlier part of the game.
Waking the Tiger can be purchased from Steam, for £15.49. Therefore, on paper this DLC definitely seems pretty stupendous for fans of this title. In addition, Japan now have an amended focus tree where you can form an alliance with the Soviet Union, and the Republic of China and Communist China have their own focus trees, alongside other states within South East Asia.
Moreover, the DLC sees some nations obtain their own unique focus tree, and some amendments have been made to current focus trees, such as the German Reich, where you can now oppose Hitler and re-establish the Kaiserreich (or, German Empire) under Kaiser Wilhelm II.