If you can't wait for the two days until Hearts of Iron III is released, or if you're not sure you're enough of a grognard man to handle this sprawling strategic simulation of World War II, try the demo.

The playable demo gives players a taste of what they can expect from the complete game upon its release. Containing the Tutorial plus Single Player Campaign of 1939, the Hearts of Iron III demo allows you to play as either Germany, France, Poland or the United Kingdom for the first four months of World War II.

You'll definitely want the manual, which you can download here, although it has some curious disclaimers that it's out of date. The demo won't let you save the game, so don't get any bright ideas about picking up where you left off once you've got the full game.

By the way, the tutorial is conducted by Adolph Hitler himself. When he finishes, he shoots himself. I am not making this up.