Hearts of Iron IV

 PC
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 968 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 688 out of 968
  2. Mixed: 149 out of 968
  3. Negative: 131 out of 968

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  1. Sturmk
    Jun 7, 2016
    10
    This is my fisrt Paradox game. I tried to play their previous ones such as Darkest Hour and HOI III, but they were really hard to get into (i'm mostly a RTS player) and i gave up really fast because i simply had no fun playing them.
    While Still overwhelming at times, this game is far more easier than their previous games, thanks to a really good interface and less microing.
    Veterans    This is my fisrt Paradox game. I tried to play their previous ones such as Darkest Hour and HOI III, but they were really hard to get into (i'm mostly a RTS player) and i gave up really fast because i simply had no fun playing them.
    While Still overwhelming at times, this game is far more easier than their previous games, thanks to a really good interface and less microing.
    Veterans should not be afraid, since it's possible to micro if they want to.
    I would say this game combines the depth of the previous Paradox games, but with a welcome Interface and mechanics overhaul.
    If i should summarize, i would say it's easy to learn, hard to master.
    Everyone should try it, and they will like it !    … Expand
  2. direweasel
    Jan 25, 2018
    9
    This is a great game and it will get better. Yes, the AI needs a lot of work. Yes, the naval combat system needs a lot of work. But the work is being done, and the base game is worth the effort.

    You can literally play as ANY nation that existed during that time period, and a few nations that did NOT exist (yet, or at all). Want to run through WW2 as Ecuador? Not sure why you'd want    This is a great game and it will get better. Yes, the AI needs a lot of work. Yes, the naval combat system needs a lot of work. But the work is being done, and the base game is worth the effort.

    You can literally play as ANY nation that existed during that time period, and a few nations that did NOT exist (yet, or at all). Want to run through WW2 as Ecuador? Not sure why you'd want to do that, but you can. You can play as the UK, grant Egypt it's independence, and then take over play as Egypt. Obviously the more common options would be the major players in the war - the Germans, Italians, Soviets, Japanese, British, French, or Americans, but don't feel limited to just those. Play as Finland and see if you can stand up to the Red Army!

    Again, I understand the game is not a finished product. That's why the current rating is a 9. It has the potential to be a 10 with some more work, and that work is coming. Paradox doesn't just "fire and forget" it's games - they continue working and improving and tweaking. They listen to the constructive criticism on their forums and keep at it.    … Expand
  3. tastybaldeagle
    Feb 5, 2018
    10
    Definitely not as great as other Paradox games, but it doesn't require any DLC to play the game reasonably, soooo...still 10/10
  4. DrMisiaq
    Apr 26, 2021
    10
    Terrible performance after 1943, game is almost unplayable past that date, not to mention 1945+. Game should be labelled as a drug due to addictive value. Hunting hundreds of achievements while fighting against hundreds of anti-human mechanics the game throws at a player to make him SUFFER? Spending almost 800 hours of my life during the last few years on a map-painting simulator? Was itTerrible performance after 1943, game is almost unplayable past that date, not to mention 1945+. Game should be labelled as a drug due to addictive value. Hunting hundreds of achievements while fighting against hundreds of anti-human mechanics the game throws at a player to make him SUFFER? Spending almost 800 hours of my life during the last few years on a map-painting simulator? Was it worth it? 10/10 F**k yea.… Expand
  5. Gokarty
    Dec 11, 2020
    8
    Very good strategy, politics, economy, World War 2, a lot of mods and DLC..
  6. enro
    Feb 18, 2021
    8
    A good game that can be fun only with friends or with the countless DLCs installed
  7. Preadatum
    Jul 10, 2022
    10
    A good stat game has almost everything thought out about the battle,modes make the game more enjoyable
  8. Rrichard
    Sep 20, 2017
    10
    Easily the best strategy game available right now. Lacked a bit of depth at release, but the two DLCs have been great. Hundreds of hours of potential, and even more in multiplayer. Absolutely recommended if you like strategy games. Graphics are great too, though the 32-bit single core engine is a bit of a letdown.
  9. eva3si0n
    Aug 26, 2017
    8
    The games Paradox always were for a narrow circle of people. They too difficult for the majority, but if you master the main mechanics, then before you within strategy infinite opportunities open. So it happened also to a new part of Hearts of Iron 4. I am not a fan of strategy of Paradox, and it is even less HOI series. But the 4th game came to new level. Yes it is still a game with theThe games Paradox always were for a narrow circle of people. They too difficult for the majority, but if you master the main mechanics, then before you within strategy infinite opportunities open. So it happened also to a new part of Hearts of Iron 4. I am not a fan of strategy of Paradox, and it is even less HOI series. But the 4th game came to new level. Yes it is still a game with the high level of occurrence, but it is the best strategy about WW2. National focuses and a tree of technologies are perfectly registered, it is a pity that only all this only for 6 largest countries. A game is very reigrabelny, for each top country it is possible to win back 3 various fractions. The only minus of a game are a graphic design and many things are made through "one" place, for example landing of troops. And yes the price policy of DLC Gearbox is simply disgusting.… Expand
  10. SaydaNeen
    Dec 18, 2017
    10
    One of the best strategy games out there. Even at this early stage of the games life (compared to other PDX titles) it's in good condition and looks good.
  11. Eminllc
    Jun 23, 2022
    10
    It's the best!!!
    It's the best!!!
    It's the best!!!
    It's the best!!!
    It's the best!!!
    It's the best!!!
    It's the best!!!
    It's the best!!!
    It's the best!!!
    It's the best!!!
    It's the best!!!
    It's the best!!!
    It's the best!!!
    It's the best!!!
  12. dprkforum
    Jun 10, 2016
    8
    Hearts of Iron 4 is a great gateway for understanding the other games I simply could not understand. I tried Arsenal of Democracy and Hearts of Iron 3, but had no idea where to start. This game showed the way, and the other games now make some sense now that I am able to navigate the interface.

    + Great graphics, sound and streamlined interface. Focus on production is a clever idea. Love    Hearts of Iron 4 is a great gateway for understanding the other games I simply could not understand. I tried Arsenal of Democracy and Hearts of Iron 3, but had no idea where to start. This game showed the way, and the other games now make some sense now that I am able to navigate the interface.

    + Great graphics, sound and streamlined interface. Focus on production is a clever idea. Love how Paradox took the time to add a national focus and alternate history information such as generic fascist/communist leaders

    - No budgets. Diplomacy is weak. No way to automate some more mundane tasks.

    I am having a wonderful time with this game, and already sunk in 30 hours. I can see lots of replyability with this game.    … Expand
  13. lasagnafeeder
    Jun 7, 2016
    9
    I went with Italy for my first playthrough (not tutorial):

    I decided to ignore Western Europe and Africa, and instead focus my expansion in Eastern Europe. I started by lending support to the Yugoslavian Fascist Party, and eventually progressed to fomenting a fascist rebellion which began in Bosnia. When the civil war broke out, I immediately invaded Slovenia from the northwest, broke    I went with Italy for my first playthrough (not tutorial):

    I decided to ignore Western Europe and Africa, and instead focus my expansion in Eastern Europe. I started by lending support to the Yugoslavian Fascist Party, and eventually progressed to fomenting a fascist rebellion which began in Bosnia. When the civil war broke out, I immediately invaded Slovenia from the northwest, broke through the Yugoslav lines, and made a dash to secure coastal ports and open up a supply corridor to the besieged rebels in Sarajevo. Meanwhile, my navy maneuvered to cut off all Yugoslav shipping in the Adriatic, while my air wings (hastily rebased to captured Slovenian airfields near the front) flew round-the-clock CAS missions to help the rebels fend off Yugoslav counterattacks.

    You should buy this game because I basically played the Bosnian War in 1937.    … Expand
  14. Killen
    Jun 10, 2016
    10
    Многие считали ДП3 не играбельной частью серии и предпочитали Darkest Hour. В эту игру хочется играть и играть - остановиться очень тяжело. Она просто бесподобна! Самая нормальная игра про ВМВ! Лучшая стратегия 2016 года.
    *ушёл чертить карты*    Многие считали ДП3 не играбельной частью серии и предпочитали Darkest Hour. В эту игру хочется играть и играть - остановиться очень тяжело. Она просто бесподобна! Самая нормальная игра про ВМВ! Лучшая стратегия 2016 года.
    *ушёл чертить карты*
  15. TheOsiris
    Jul 7, 2016
    10
    Up front I have to say that I have never played HOI III. But I'm an die hard CK II fan, EU was good but too linear, and Stellaris will be brilliant in a year, but I still enjoy it.

    I have to say this is a good game. This is also the first iteration of the IV release, and there are some things that will be improved. But overall it's an engaging and fund, occasionally slow experience. If    Up front I have to say that I have never played HOI III. But I'm an die hard CK II fan, EU was good but too linear, and Stellaris will be brilliant in a year, but I still enjoy it.

    I have to say this is a good game. This is also the first iteration of the IV release, and there are some things that will be improved. But overall it's an engaging and fund, occasionally slow experience. If you've never played HOI before. You'll be happy if you enjoy deep grand strategy games. With time this only get better.

    There is a bit of a loud minority who are also being very vocal, understandably die hard fans that each have there own vision of what the game should have been. I think they're being unfair.

    And screw the people saying they can't take a 1 month holiday after a very long development project spanning multiple years comes to fruition. Come on. Let them have their month. They'll come back with fresh eyes and restored hearts.    … Expand
  16. KGBMinamoto
    Jun 7, 2016
    9
    If you like WW2, and you have enough time on your hands, this game is near perfect. This game fulfils everyone of your micro and macro desires, with gorgeous graphics and refined combat system. Only reason its not 10/10 is because it chugs in the late-game.
  17. Yomoholo
    Jun 7, 2016
    10
    played The Glorious Canadian Empire Fought a 10 year war with the USA won, just barely because of an american bulge in my line that i exploited to annihilate 15 divisions burnt down the white house.... again. profit of a fully united north america ruled by Canada then looked to Brazil for some tasty rubber.

    #would burn down Washington agian
  18. czarinabox
    Jun 7, 2016
    9
    As a player with hundreds of hours in both Hearts of Iron III and Darkest Hour I was skeptical of some of the “streamlining” decisions made by Paradox. Fortunately I feel many of the choices they have made let the game focus on more important and fun parts of managing a country through a world war. It’s nice being able to start up a game and quickly organize your armies. Gone are the daysAs a player with hundreds of hours in both Hearts of Iron III and Darkest Hour I was skeptical of some of the “streamlining” decisions made by Paradox. Fortunately I feel many of the choices they have made let the game focus on more important and fun parts of managing a country through a world war. It’s nice being able to start up a game and quickly organize your armies. Gone are the days of spending hours reorganizing a Soviet order of battle before pressing unpause (a feature which I honestly enjoyed, but also haven’t found myself missing).

    This game lets you focus on the big picture: what strategic moves are you going to make, how will they affect your position in the war? The battle plan system is a good example of this. Battle plans were useful in Hearts of Iron III, but you still found yourself giving hundreds of orders to divisions to just move forwards. Managing a few armies instead of hundreds of divisions lets you remember their commanders as well, something I always had difficulty with in previous titles.

    The interface in general is also much better. The logistics screen in particular is very well done, and production is easy to manage while also providing a really unique and interesting system compared with older versions. Unfortunately in some areas it can be difficult to get information, especially from battles (I definitely miss Darkest Hour’s battle reports, but even HoI3’s weren’t as nice).

    I haven’t encountered issues with the AI so far, but I could just be lucky.

    Overall, if you are a veteran of previous titles I would definitely recommend giving this entry a look, as it brings a lot to the table and most of what has been cut has been fluff that, when you get down to it, didn’t really provide interesting strategic choices anyways. When I think of the best times I had in HoI3 I don’t think of reorganizing my OoB, I think of my first punches back against the Germans in North Africa, the enormous encirclements in Barbarossa, the 3-pronged naval invasion of China. This game lets you focus on those moments.    … Expand
  19. RiccD
    Jun 7, 2016
    10
    Had some hours yesterday. Just wanted to DL and see if I can figure out some things. Ended up late in the night with "WTF why is it so late already" :)

    Love: - Trade is so much less annoying than in Hoi III - the focus tree - division planner - Spanish Civil war (was pretty tough) - Industrial part - Political Power thing - add supporters and stuff Undecided: - The Border    Had some hours yesterday. Just wanted to DL and see if I can figure out some things. Ended up late in the night with "WTF why is it so late already" :)

    Love:

    - Trade is so much less annoying than in Hoi III
    - the focus tree
    - division planner
    - Spanish Civil war (was pretty tough)
    - Industrial part
    - Political Power thing - add supporters and stuff

    Undecided:

    - The Border / Plan klicky thing. I fail by fiddling around with that very often. Maybe I have to get used to it / maybe patches will improve this part ( If I attach an army to a border and add a Div. later - why do I have to order this division to this border?)
    - Tech trees. Still am undecided about that.
    - In combat I am usually the more microing type. So I do not know if I like the battle plans yet (Missing the bonus). Maybe I will continue microing the Mobile Divs and leave the foot inf to the battle planner.

    Not so good:

    - AI did strange things in the civil war. (Just walked around long time with inf div, not doing anything. )
    - if I change directions from an attack with a fully organized tank div. and run in an enemy Inf div with 5% Org that takes the province I am moving to a second before I arrive I really lose this tank Div as "Overrun" ??? Seriously?
    Summary:

    Great game that makes already lots of fun. Will get better with the next few patches, I am sure. Also there will be more depth in future with DLC.    … Expand
  20. VitaminK
    Jun 8, 2016
    10
    I love strategy games and HoI is a series I've tried over and over to get into but always found very difficult to get the full grasp of managing. HoI IV broke that tradition while still keeping the depth the series is known for while making it much easier to approach for old and new players alike. Paradox definitely did it right this time. I can't wait to see what the modding communityI love strategy games and HoI is a series I've tried over and over to get into but always found very difficult to get the full grasp of managing. HoI IV broke that tradition while still keeping the depth the series is known for while making it much easier to approach for old and new players alike. Paradox definitely did it right this time. I can't wait to see what the modding community will do with this as well as future dlc/expansions from the Devs.

    If you like strategy/grand strat then do yourself a favor and get this game. $40 at RELEASE for a game worth much more.

    I look forward to hours and hour in this game.    … Expand
  21. Gesar
    Jun 6, 2016
    10
    The best strategy which came ever on pc!!! Clear interface, a lot of changes, beautiful graphics. Perfect for long hours. And, of course, co-op, pvp, pve
  22. 019web
    Jun 12, 2016
    9
    HOI4 provides the perfect level of detail and control compared with hearts of iron 3. It is a strong core foundation with excellent game mechanics and with balance improvements and expansions it will be the best Paradox strategy game to date. I really like the army management and operation planner and the intuitiveness (compared with the horror of hoi3) really broadens the appeal of theHOI4 provides the perfect level of detail and control compared with hearts of iron 3. It is a strong core foundation with excellent game mechanics and with balance improvements and expansions it will be the best Paradox strategy game to date. I really like the army management and operation planner and the intuitiveness (compared with the horror of hoi3) really broadens the appeal of the game. Nonetheless, great depth of strategy in the game with industrial management, division designer, tech tree and equipment designer. AI is stronger than I expected it would be. Excellent… Expand
  23. Super12
    Jun 3, 2017
    10
    Best. Game. Ever. No Argument. Ok, fine, the AI is a bit bad, but the level of detail is amazing, and the Modding community is the best. Just ever, it can fix whatever problems you may have, also the production system is the best, and also the air combat is the best.
  24. Schore
    Aug 30, 2017
    10
    Easily replaces HoI3 as my favourite game!

    I did more than a thousand hours of modding for HoI 3 so I was very sceptical before the release of HoI4. But I easily beats it in every area. - depth (resource management (land/air) and better diplomacy makes this game much more complex) - graphics (way better) - handling (way better) The AI is still not able to beat a decent player    Easily replaces HoI3 as my favourite game!

    I did more than a thousand hours of modding for HoI 3 so I was very sceptical before the release of HoI4.
    But I easily beats it in every area.

    - depth (resource management (land/air) and better diplomacy makes this game much more complex)
    - graphics (way better)
    - handling (way better)

    The AI is still not able to beat a decent player but it's far better than 1 year ago and at least twice as good as the HoI3-AI.

    Game handling can be done in 2 different ways:
    A) let the AI do the micro for you in a war (good for fast/big MP games or if you are new to the series)
    B) micro every single division by yourself (for advanced players to fight each other or the AI in slow motion)

    600 hours played so far and still getting not bored.    … Expand
  25. Austinian334
    Jun 6, 2016
    9
    AMAZING GAME! There may be some flaws with the ai being too passive sometimes or the game chugging in the later time, but this game is by far the best and greatest ww2 strategy game! (aside from risk ww2 edition).

    I wanted that ww2 experience that's thrusts me into the deserts of Africa, the beaches of Normandy, or the vast jungle filled islands of the pacific, and while the experiences    AMAZING GAME! There may be some flaws with the ai being too passive sometimes or the game chugging in the later time, but this game is by far the best and greatest ww2 strategy game! (aside from risk ww2 edition).

    I wanted that ww2 experience that's thrusts me into the deserts of Africa, the beaches of Normandy, or the vast jungle filled islands of the pacific, and while the experiences aren't literal, it is an amazing game. Hope the DLC's add even more emersion than the base game itself, and I can't wait to see future projects from Paradox Interactive in the future!    … Expand
  26. SanderTB
    Jun 7, 2016
    9
    Ive played HOI II & III , i really liked to concept but found myself overwelmed with micromanagin division, chain of command structures, and a AI that will punish the smallest of mistakes.

    Imo HOI III was way to cumbersome to take on bigger nations like soviet with a twofront war, you get the picture. ALL that is gone, and now you get to do grandstragtegy on diplomacy, warfare,    Ive played HOI II & III , i really liked to concept but found myself overwelmed with micromanagin division, chain of command structures, and a AI that will punish the smallest of mistakes.

    Imo HOI III was way to cumbersome to take on bigger nations like soviet with a twofront war, you get the picture.

    ALL that is gone, and now you get to do grandstragtegy on diplomacy, warfare, production research while not being overwhelming. Interface and alot of easy and quick ways of commanding naval, air and land in just a few clicks.

    The masterycurve is till steep by normal standards but you can play the tutorial in 15 minutes and start playing around straight away.

    Paradox keeps delivering good grandstragtegy games and HOI IV exceeded all my expectations    … Expand
  27. Paul_Kingtiger
    Jun 7, 2016
    8
    The latest version of Paradox's world war 2 grand strategy games brings it more into line with crusader kings 2 and Europa Universalis 4. The UI and your choices have been streamlined into a much more accessible game. There are plenty of choices and those choices make a big difference, but the micromanagement has be reduced making play less of a chore (for me anyway). The divisionThe latest version of Paradox's world war 2 grand strategy games brings it more into line with crusader kings 2 and Europa Universalis 4. The UI and your choices have been streamlined into a much more accessible game. There are plenty of choices and those choices make a big difference, but the micromanagement has be reduced making play less of a chore (for me anyway). The division designer is excellent and instantly makes sense, and the new army system is far simpler than before, but still allows you to build up a army and give it complex instructions. I love the new army orders system, drawing front lines and arrows on the map makes you feel like a general in a command bunker.

    The new production and trade systems are a huge improvement over HOI3, civilian factories make trade goods and other factories and military factories produce war equipment. You tell your military factories to produce equipment of various types, small arms, specific models of tanks and aircraft and each new unit you build requires various combination of this equipment and of course men.

    The research and national focus systems work like a tech tree, allowing you to customise your nation.

    Finally, yes it is less hardcore than HOI3, but that makes it more accessible to new players, whilst still offering lots of choices and less micromanagement. But if you are turbo into that stuff you can pick up HOI3 on steam at a great price. Me, I far prefer this more accessible version.    … Expand
  28. Dalogan72
    Jun 7, 2016
    10
    This game is just a 10/10, I am not going to say the graphics are good, for a war-game strategic at this level, that they are. the music is amazing, the details are just marvelous, the way to move armies is brilliant. The player is in control of many many things I mean much more that just making units. In this game the player have to observe many little details to be able to win. I haveThis game is just a 10/10, I am not going to say the graphics are good, for a war-game strategic at this level, that they are. the music is amazing, the details are just marvelous, the way to move armies is brilliant. The player is in control of many many things I mean much more that just making units. In this game the player have to observe many little details to be able to win. I have played as-well HOI3 and there is let's say an internal battle about, why this and what is that about. Let's not forgot this is just a game without dlcs, first version and with bugs, but the game, the game as a whole is 10/10. This is not a RTS game, this is a complex game, maybe HOI3 was more complex but let's allow these guys Paradox to keep working on it. My most sincere view about the game is very extremely positive. A lot of hard work in this game, this is not a worthless game out of a papa-mama company.… Expand
  29. arsenal143
    Jun 7, 2016
    10
    Vast improvement from HOI3, So much detail and up to you how much you want to micromanage or not. Only downside would be better if more nations had their own national focuses.
  30. LordExarus
    Jun 13, 2016
    9
    Great Game overall,Paradox definitely hit it out of the park with this one.
    Pros
    -Much Improved Graphics -Vastly superior Naval and Aviation mechanics -Superior tech trees,better then just research the same technology 12 times then move on -Doctrines are far better,as now they are more like a actual decision,as you can't be the best of everything.Unlike Hoi3 which you could research    Great Game overall,Paradox definitely hit it out of the park with this one.
    Pros
    -Much Improved Graphics
    -Vastly superior Naval and Aviation mechanics
    -Superior tech trees,better then just research the same technology 12 times then move on
    -Doctrines are far better,as now they are more like a actual decision,as you can't be the best of everything.Unlike Hoi3 which you could research them all and be the best at everything.
    -Focus tree is a much needed change,game now has goals and objectives to go for,which is needed in a historically based game
    -A.I is better,the fact in Hoi3 the US would always join the war in 1940 was pretty annoying.
    -Is far easier to get into then Hoi3
    -Creating battleplans actually has a effect on the gameplay,as the A.I will attempt to do those maneuvers and attacks you made in the plans.
    -The Theatre mechanic is gone,which I thought to be extremely annoying,especially since it was replaced with a far better system.
    -Alternate history is now far easier to pull off with the focus tree,being able to make everything from the Kiwi Empire,to the Neo-Ottoman Empire,to Fascist France,including your own factions.
    -New Peace Treaty system,where now each nation can make demands from the losers based on how much they contributed to the war effort,a much needed addition.

    Cons
    -A.I is also slightly weaker in other areas,mainly just Germany,as often Germany will be extremely aggressive or extremely passive.Either attacking the USSR,Britain/France,the Low Countries and Yugoslavia all at the same time,or doesn't attack France till 1941.
    -Multiplayer connections are terrible,as in the majority of Paradox's strategy games,either have a very good connection,or don't play multiplayer.
    -Chain of Command is gone and replaced with a single leader per army,which is slightly disappointing though I somewhat understand why they did it.
    -Generic tech trees for any nation other then the major nations,it's really sad when your military consists of Medium Tank 1,and Naval Bomber 2

    A great game and for sure worth the buy,looking forward to the expansions and upcoming titles.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best PC Game of 2016
22
#22 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
66
#66 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Cubed3
    Mar 20, 2018
    50
    The complexity and slow speed of how things evolve take the fun down notches lower than it otherwise would deserve. Endless clicking through menus, and a glacial speed, ruin what could have been a pretty slick overall experience.
    Read full review
  2. Pelit (Finland)
    Sep 28, 2016
    85
    Hearts of Iron 4 successfully streamlines a complex strategy game while still retaining the feel of total industrial warfare. AI difficulties persist, however, and some revamped mechanics still need a bit of polishing. [Aug 2016]
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Sep 14, 2016
    80
    Excellent revival of a rusty brand with improved accessibility to a wider audience. Paradox studio has rocked in recent years and proof of this is the best episode of the series Hearts of Iron. [Issue#266]
See all critic reviews »