The new Hearts of Iron IV DLC No Step Back dropped, and while I was firing up a Soviet playthrough to check out the new focus tree and decisions, I suddenly noticed the text under the difficulty selection — those few passages, resonant and full of power, paired with the New Year, really did feel like “a new year, a new beginning.”It’s exactly the moment to set out again, traveling light. Perhaps we all need a little momentum to carry us forward sometimes, to face the tense and exhausting days of our lives.

I looked it up online — starting from the second difficulty level, the quotes below are respectively from Eisenhower’s speech before the Normandy landings, Roosevelt’s address before D-Day, Patton’s pre-battle rally speech, and Churchill’s speech upon taking office in the House of Commons.

I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. — Winston Churchill

Consider this a New Year’s blessing — may you all enjoy triumphant fortune in your finals and in the new year, and march onward toward your destination!