The game takes place during the turbulent years of 1940 through 1946. You can control any of the five world powers (or more than one). There are Japan, Germany (which includes Italy), Russia, China, and the “Western Allies” (UK and the US). It’s a little disappointing to see that the US and the UK are controlled as one, but it prevents the game map from becoming too confusing. It’s also interesting that China is counted as one world power, since its role in the war wasn’t as great as the other world powers.