Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. PC Format
    72
    This game is most definitely not one for the faint-hearted; the sheer scale of the beast is truly something to behold. [May 2006, p.97]
  2. netjak
    70
    A huge disappointment.
  3. PC Gamer UK
    63
    This Swedish smorgasbord doesn't have enough meat. [June 2006, p.93]
  4. Verdict for Churchills? If you already own HoI2 then think long and hard before coughing-up for Doomsday's jumble of minor enhancements and questionable alterations.

Awards & Rankings

User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 43
  2. Negative: 2 out of 43
  1. PeterR.
    Sep 9, 2007
    10
    It took me a long time to warm up to this game, due to its steep learning curve and complicated mechanics, but the sheer level of historical It took me a long time to warm up to this game, due to its steep learning curve and complicated mechanics, but the sheer level of historical accuracy and depth kept bringing me back. Now I consider it the best strategy game ever designed. To call it an advanced game of Risk scarcely does it justice; no game, WW2-themed or otherwise, has so accurately emulated the actual conditions of war on this scale. So accurate are the mechanics that you will often find yourself in the same predicaments that faced the major powers: Germany running out of men and oil, the Soviets without good leadership after Stalin's officer purge, or the USA unable to intervene due to the isolationism of its citizens prior to Pearl Harbor. The game is set up so that events happen as they realistically should, though you can choose to diverge from history and create your own World War. You can also play as any nation in the world, and while many of them aren't very fun or interesting, it gives a great deal of variety and lets the player be creative. There is little I can think of to complain about this game, other than the fact that its complexity might prove to be too much for casual gamers. Most of the outstanding complaints I have of the original game have been addressed in this most recent version. (For those of you who do not already know, Doomsday is a standalone expansion and includes the original Hearts of Iron II.) Any fan of strategy, or any player with a lot of ambition, would do well to invest in the game, as it will give them hours and hours of fun and replay value. Full Review »
  2. Aug 6, 2016
    5
    OK game, with a steep learning curve. Play balance can be difficult, in most games that I play as Allies (Usually US), the Soviets devourOK game, with a steep learning curve. Play balance can be difficult, in most games that I play as Allies (Usually US), the Soviets devour Europe, in it's entirety, well before I can deploy any force that they can't just crush should the WWIII option become active. Another problem I've encountered, if the US builds forces too quickly, the Japanese DO NOT declare war even into 1943, and you have to have moved your intervention marker enough to allow "Join Alliance", just to advance from watching time click off .

    On my PC running Win7pro, game occasionally crashes. ,
    Full Review »
  3. EliasO.
    Jan 14, 2008
    9
    It's a great game, and any History/strategy gamer will just love it.. And there are several superb mods for it too, in particular Hearts It's a great game, and any History/strategy gamer will just love it.. And there are several superb mods for it too, in particular Hearts of Iron2: Doomsday Armageddon Fallout mod It's awesome. Full Review »