Battle of the Bosporus DLC is the next major expansion pack for Hearts of Iron IV, and it's a real boon. Its focus is clear and specific: to add more content to all the minor WWII powers around the Black Sea and the Aegan. This means it introduces important additions to the countries of Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. There are also various improvements to Balkan stats that will surely tickle your inner historian.

Here, you'll find a detailed and comprehensive overview of the Battle of the Bosporus DLC. Will it make its way to our list of greatest Paradox expansion packs? Or will it be relegated to niche wargaming right off the bat? Find out in the sections below!

Play Battle of the Bosporus DLC content today!

Battle of the Bosporus Full Content Review

This section is dedicated to those who'd just like a quick run-down of what it is that you actually get with the Battle of the Bosporus DLC. Have a go at it, and see if it fits the bill.

New National Focus Tree for Bulgaria

This National Focus Tree offers a new take on Bulgaria's historic alliance with Germany in this era. It will be up to you to choose whether you will go along with German intent, or if you would prefer to stand up to Tsar Boris instead. Either way, you're in for a fight on some front, somewhere. That's history for you! Especially alternative history.

For the most part, the gameplay will now revolve around one of two gameplay mechanics. You can opt to focus on balancing the various Bulgarian factions on your own, of course. The alternative will be to try and reclaim what territory Bulgaria lost in 1919. No easy feat either. Which you choose will, then, depend on your given wargaming preference. It's definitely good to see both options supported, however.

New National Focus Tree for Greece

Greece will be beset with even more trouble than Bulgaria. Expect a hefty dose of inner political division, with the famous Greek neutrality almost entirely dependant on the character of Ioannis Metaxas. The options are virtually endless, however. Will you join with the Allies under King George the Second? Will you succumb to fascism and let arch-conservatives take the wheel? Even the restoration of the Greek Empire might be on the table if you're good enough.

Greece will present a particularly challenging choice for veteran players, we believe. Whereas Bulgaria is slightly more pinpointed in what it can or cannot do, Greece offers way more options to those who can make use of them.

New National Focus Tree for Turkey

Turkey is, at this point in history, still reeling from its losses in the last war. Its choices now mostly revolve around the continuation or stoppage of the historic Kemalist reforms.  Will you establish a new Sultanate to reign supreme over Eastern Europe? Or do your preferences drag in a more democratic direction?

The new National Focus Tree even goes so far as to allow you to enact reforms leading to the creation of a new Islamic State. Options are practically limitless in this regard, as you can see.

Aside from three major new National Focus Trees, there's other assorted content we'll all appreciate in Battle of the Bosporus DLC. The first and potentially biggest visual addition lies in a selection of new 3D unit models for the Balkans and the Turkish armies.

A load of new art assets is being added with this DLC in general. From fresh National Spirit Icons all the way to Portraits, weapon kits, vehicles, and more. If you're chasing fidelity, this is going to be a very welcome addition indeed.

For music aficionados, on the other hand, there are three new music tracks being added to the game's playlist. Give them a listen using the YouTube link embedded below:

Achievement hunters will, finally, be very thrilled to hear that there's a wide variety of all-new Steam Achievements being added to the game. From capitulation-oriented ones all the way to absolute continent-scale victories, there's plenty to chase in Battle of the Bosporus DLC.

Hearts of Iron IV Franchise Sale!

To celebrate the release of a major new DLC for Hearts of Iron IV, we're hosting an awesome Franchise Sale featuring all of the game's heaps of post-launch DLC. Discounts go all the way to 75% off, which means now is the right time to get started with one of the best wargaming titles there is.

In fact, you can get the Cadet Edition of the game for only £8.75! That's a steal if we've ever seen one.

• Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet Edition

Cadet Edition of the game comes with bonus wallpapers and a Paradox Forum Icon you can use via the appropriate website. Of course, the base game itself is awesome, but you can make it even better with a wide variety of expansion packs.

We understand if you're not sure which of these will be a good fit. To that end, we've prepared a rather comprehensive list of must-have DLC for HOI4. Check it out, and get loaded! You'll never be bored again.