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. ZeFox
    Nov 12, 2020
    8
    [Graphics]
    ☐ Masterpiece
    ☐ Beautiful ☑ Good ☐ Decent ☐ Will do ☐ Bad ☐ Awful [Gameplay] ☐ very very very good ☐ Very good ☑ Good ☐ Bad ☐ Just don't [Difficulity] ☐ Very easy ☐ Easy ☐ Significant brain usage ☐ Easy to learn / hard to master ☐ Not so easy ☑ Difficult ☐ Dark Souls [Bugs] ☐ Never had any ☑ Minor bugs ☐ Few bugs ☐ Can get annoying ☐ Ruining the    [Graphics]
    ☐ Masterpiece
    ☐ Beautiful
    ☑ Good
    ☐ Decent
    ☐ Will do
    ☐ Bad
    ☐ Awful

    [Gameplay]
    ☐ very very very good
    ☐ Very good
    ☑ Good
    ☐ Bad
    ☐ Just don't

    [Difficulity]
    ☐ Very easy
    ☐ Easy
    ☐ Significant brain usage
    ☐ Easy to learn / hard to master
    ☐ Not so easy
    ☑ Difficult
    ☐ Dark Souls

    [Bugs]
    ☐ Never had any
    ☑ Minor bugs
    ☐ Few bugs
    ☐ Can get annoying
    ☐ Ruining the game
    ☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs    … Expand
  2. Verbal_cz563
    Oct 20, 2020
    7
    You will always cherish your 1st one wont you. It isnt as complex as HOI3 but its still a great game. But PDX's dlc system just cant let me give the game higher rating than 7. Yes, all the expansions give a lot of new content and are generally fun, but they are surely not worth 20 euros
  3. inkblowout
    Oct 3, 2020
    6
    This will probably be my most controversial score as I love this game to death. (Have over 1700+ hours at the point.)

    But the reason why I'm giving it such a meh score is due to Paradox's incompetence in developing this game. HOI4 was originally supposed to be a WW2 strategy simulator with a heavy focus in combat compared to Victoria 2/EU4 and CK2. But over time they seem to go for an    This will probably be my most controversial score as I love this game to death. (Have over 1700+ hours at the point.)

    But the reason why I'm giving it such a meh score is due to Paradox's incompetence in developing this game. HOI4 was originally supposed to be a WW2 strategy simulator with a heavy focus in combat compared to Victoria 2/EU4 and CK2. But over time they seem to go for an alternate History route with making countries more fun which is great.

    But the problem with this is that over the 2 years since I got this game, no changes in the AI have been made whatsoever. And this AI isn't good at all, the problem is that the AI doesn't know what to do with divisions so they either oversupply their fronts, continue attacking fronts until they are drained completely or god forbid abandon their fronts. Like really? 4 years and this hasn't been fixed... but hey let's put a couple of new focuses on Portgual, a country that is neutral during WW2.

    Also, the DLC is the problem, the problem is that these DLC usually add some new focuses to the country to give them usually more options and alt. history options. These are basically recommended if you enjoy the alt. history portions of HOI4 so expect to shell out $100+ in DLC if you are looking to get the best possible experience. Not only that, but DLC also includes gameplay mechanics that base game holders aren't even allowed to get access to unless you shell out $15-$20. (AKA the boat design in Man the Guns DLC isn't included if you have the base game.) But the thing is that these should have been included in the base game, which gives players an excuse to buy these overpriced DLC. Also as stated before they tend to focus on different things for DLCs than for ones that really need an overhaul (IE Italy and USSR, which they have stuck the same since the game's release.)

    Overall it seems that Paradox just seems to have conflicting plans on what to do for this game. Do they want to make it a WW2 war strat. game or do they want to make this an Alt. history clusterf**k that pointless countries that were neutral in WW2 are updated but some of the most important countries are ignored? It seems that a lot of HOI4 mods like Engsieg/Road to 56 does a better job in both the gameplay department and the content department. If Paradox refined their HOI3 gameplay and made it easier to understand for the general public like with a proper tutorial or have a more simplified UI. (HOI4's current tutorial is just pointless as it doesn't teach you anything.) This game would be a lot better.    … Expand
  4. AvtoS
    Aug 15, 2020
    7
    I mostly like this game even though i don't understand it fully.it takes a lot of time to get into the game and most gaming sessions consist of me waiting for stuff to happen.It's fun but it get's repetitive soon and you have to wait a lot.
  5. alexdestructor5
    Jul 31, 2020
    8
    The game is very good and funny. But the bad has a lot dlcs very expensive.
  6. Hitler_Nevinova
    Jul 26, 2020
    0
    В bf стрельба лудше!!!!! ы
  7. Artok1488
    Jul 18, 2020
    0
    Игра классная , но если купили игру нужны длс 100% (можно спиратить проблем нету).
    Так же если игра вам наскучили есть кучу модов, хотите играйте в мире майлител пони, можете воевать в нашем времени или сделать весь мир Люксенбургом)
    Так же комьюнити игры очень не плохое и доброе. Вообщем советую всем.    Игра классная , но если купили игру нужны длс 100% (можно спиратить проблем нету).
    Так же если игра вам наскучили есть кучу модов, хотите играйте в мире майлител пони, можете воевать в нашем времени или сделать весь мир Люксенбургом)
    Так же комьюнити игры очень не плохое и доброе.
    Вообщем советую всем.
  8. Sceleton
    Jul 12, 2020
    8
    Это одна из первых моих стратегий, в ней я наиграл почти 500 часов

    Плюсы: Игра интересная, радует куча хороших модификаций на любой вкус. Довольно лёгкая игра, если разобраться в ней. Можно играть по сети, за одну страну, разные, устроить мировую войну между игроками. Игра выглядит визуально приятно. Минусы: Очень плохая оптимизация, году в 42 начинает сильно лагать, а в 45 вообще не    Это одна из первых моих стратегий, в ней я наиграл почти 500 часов

    Плюсы: Игра интересная, радует куча хороших модификаций на любой вкус. Довольно лёгкая игра, если разобраться в ней. Можно играть по сети, за одну страну, разные, устроить мировую войну между игроками. Игра выглядит визуально приятно.
    Минусы: Очень плохая оптимизация, году в 42 начинает сильно лагать, а в 45 вообще не возможно играть. Без DLC за 400+ рублей играть скучно, советую ждать распродажи и брать намного дешевле. Можно "спиратить" , но тогда не получится играть по сети. Когда игра только вышла она было действительно ужасна, но сейчас после многих обновлений и DLC игра стала лучше.

    Всё же я советую эту игру    … Expand
  9. crazygamer7477
    Jul 4, 2020
    10
    This game is amazing. You can do so many things. You literally can play as UK and then release and play as Rhodesia and become fascist and take over French Africa. The Graphics are amazing - you don't need a heavy up to date GPU - I use an Nvidia GTX 660 and it works perfectly fine. And people who say that it is slow probably have an Old CPU. That is definitely the main thing you will needThis game is amazing. You can do so many things. You literally can play as UK and then release and play as Rhodesia and become fascist and take over French Africa. The Graphics are amazing - you don't need a heavy up to date GPU - I use an Nvidia GTX 660 and it works perfectly fine. And people who say that it is slow probably have an Old CPU. That is definitely the main thing you will need for this game. A powerful CPU. Mine isn't even that powerful and it has made me all the way to 1948. And the modding community is huge which makes it even better!… Expand
  10. Kururu303
    Jun 30, 2020
    9
    Il gioco in se non è perfetto e sicuramente non un capolavoro della strategia. Gli darei un 8 per il gameplay che alzo però a 9 per l'incredibile longevità e versatilità che il titolo sta avendo grazie alle mod!
  11. eilwia
    Jun 20, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Best strategic game im played Hmmmmmmm
    I love ww2
    You can pick up hitler
    Churchi
    Rosvlet Stalin and musilini
    And reza shah pahlavi    … Expand
  12. madloring
    Jun 19, 2020
    10
    Как по мне, лучшая игра от парадоксов. Приятно иметь возможность начать игру и быстро организовать свои армии.
  13. kastch
    May 27, 2020
    0
    I've played both HOI3 and HOI4 and this game is a total failure even after all these years and DLCs - it's still feels like an oversimplified game. With all the new mechanics it's still unplayable, has poor army structure, poor army control, poor diplomacy, poor unit construction mechanics. Even with one of the most awaited features - alternative history, after all these years it still hasI've played both HOI3 and HOI4 and this game is a total failure even after all these years and DLCs - it's still feels like an oversimplified game. With all the new mechanics it's still unplayable, has poor army structure, poor army control, poor diplomacy, poor unit construction mechanics. Even with one of the most awaited features - alternative history, after all these years it still has stupid issues with leaders when changing ideologies for countries on puppeting (Hey Paradox, guys you're thinking everyone does not give a sh**t to history at all?).
    I don't even mention ships, and air mechanics that are using HUGE territories in it (anyway, Paradox, why not to give a single continent a single region for air? It would've been even more simplified, or as Critics tend to say Streamlined)
    Balance for units remains broken - rockets, air units (it is fixed for naval units after man the guns).
    Supplies mechanics is the only ray of light in this swamp of darkness...
    So to summarize things - it is Not a good strategy game in any way and I would Not recommend to buy it. Even after all these years in developments and fixes.    … Expand
  14. Nikita_lom
    May 27, 2020
    10
    Замечательная игра в которую можно играть часами и днями, если надоело скачивай моды, игра раскроется ещё на 90%, стоит каждой копейки!
  15. Sheleshka
    Apr 23, 2020
    8
    After 600 hours of playing, I realized that this game is one of the best in paradox. It has a lot of advantages: the historical era, the mechanics of war, and so on. The additions expand the possibilities for the countries and mechanics of the game. The game is worth your attention.
  16. SirEliteTheUgly
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    Such a fantastic game if you are into WW2 history and grand strategy games.
  17. I_love_ps4
    Apr 9, 2020
    4
    my god...... paradox what are you doing. the worst, easy and boring game of this studio. In eu 4 you can play 5 years (real time) because all countries are interesting. Here only 2 - 5 party...
  18. Horrorsaw
    Apr 2, 2020
    10
    Bol detaylı bir strateji oyunu. Başlarda karmaşık gelecektir ama 5-10saat oynadıktan sonra bırakamayacaksınız.
  19. paradoxfail
    Mar 6, 2020
    0
    Genuinely the worst dev team in the business.

    Outright stopped Mac support in 2019, despite selling MILLIONS of games they are LEGALLY REQUIRED to support MacOS for. EVERY SINGLE parafail title has been pulled from MacOS, because the devs couldn't be bothered maintaining their stupid redundant launcher that literally not one single person ever wanted. These devs SUCK. 0/10    Genuinely the worst dev team in the business.

    Outright stopped Mac support in 2019, despite selling MILLIONS of games they are LEGALLY REQUIRED to support MacOS for.

    EVERY SINGLE parafail title has been pulled from MacOS, because the devs couldn't be bothered maintaining their stupid redundant launcher that literally not one single person ever wanted.

    These devs SUCK.

    0/10 outright f**king stole my money    … Expand
  20. Wiebe
    Feb 26, 2020
    8
    The dept of this game and its strategy is just plain awesome. The game also mostly gets better with every DLC and patch. However, the game can feel like a chore with some many elements to keep track off, especially with the Man the Guns patch where you have to edit the loadouts for every ship. Also the AI is just plain dumb, and even with the AI Mod there are game breaking problems withThe dept of this game and its strategy is just plain awesome. The game also mostly gets better with every DLC and patch. However, the game can feel like a chore with some many elements to keep track off, especially with the Man the Guns patch where you have to edit the loadouts for every ship. Also the AI is just plain dumb, and even with the AI Mod there are game breaking problems with every patch, like the AI moving all its units to the other side of the world, or abandoning front lines.… Expand
  21. Akabeurjub
    Feb 18, 2020
    10
    Amazing game, HOI4 has so many features and options and I love every single part of it, I have over 1000 hours of experience on the game as well, it might have a harsh start on new players as there's a lot of stuff to learn and get used to but at least give it a try if you're a fan of strategy games and you'll spend most of your time making/giving orders, and reassigning fleets and fighterAmazing game, HOI4 has so many features and options and I love every single part of it, I have over 1000 hours of experience on the game as well, it might have a harsh start on new players as there's a lot of stuff to learn and get used to but at least give it a try if you're a fan of strategy games and you'll spend most of your time making/giving orders, and reassigning fleets and fighter squadrons, you always have to keep an eye on the industry, resources, and technology that will allow you to sustain the war and it's filled with incremental decisions that take on mass and momentum to change the course of history.… Expand
  22. Mitya64
    Feb 15, 2020
    8
    Первая моя игра от данных разработчиков. Геймплей трудный, но интересный. Для его изучения понадобятся сотни часов. Очень интересная песочница,где можно за люксембург захватить весь мир, в ссср сделать российскую империю и т.д. Мне не нравится только то, что обучение максимально не помогает, мне пришлось все вникать самому и на ютубе смотреть. И обычно в конце игры получается непонятнаяПервая моя игра от данных разработчиков. Геймплей трудный, но интересный. Для его изучения понадобятся сотни часов. Очень интересная песочница,где можно за люксембург захватить весь мир, в ссср сделать российскую империю и т.д. Мне не нравится только то, что обучение максимально не помогает, мне пришлось все вникать самому и на ютубе смотреть. И обычно в конце игры получается непонятная разбериха, какая то война альянсов, из за 100 процентной напряженности. В целом игра очень интересная, но вникать нужно очень долго и время вам много придется потратить на нее.… Expand
  23. erdogfu96
    Feb 8, 2020
    6
    Better graphics but worse optimization. Good price. In depth gameplay and we'll made gameplay but confusing menus like every other paradox games. But it gives enjoy to play this game on that period. You can free to rule your country in many sides.
  24. AGplay
    Feb 7, 2020
    9
    Es un muy buen juego de estrategia, con mucha libertad para hacer lo que quieras.
  25. Potatoes953
    Feb 2, 2020
    8
    Is a pretty good grand strategy game. It really is a helpful educational tool along with being fun. Avoid this game if you do not have hours of time to just sit in a computer chair killing millions of soviets as Hitler. Seriously I have lost countless hours do to this games kind of addicting game-play that to somebody who isn't playing may seem boring. A lot of the fun comes from if youIs a pretty good grand strategy game. It really is a helpful educational tool along with being fun. Avoid this game if you do not have hours of time to just sit in a computer chair killing millions of soviets as Hitler. Seriously I have lost countless hours do to this games kind of addicting game-play that to somebody who isn't playing may seem boring. A lot of the fun comes from if you know how the mess with the AI. "ah yes Stalin keep slapping your human wall at me in the middle of winter." One thing that I think needs to change with this game (and frankly all paradox games) is paradox not rolling out free patches for stuff that is integral to the enjoyment of the game.
    Another bad thing about this game is that it's not newcomer friendly. The tutorial is tart, the game gives you no hints as to what might be the best option in the focus trees, how to win a war, how to do a peace conference, how to make orders or anything really. It just says lets play as Italy and give you giant blocks of text to read.
    Another good thing about this game is that it has a massive and active modding community making mods like Kaiseriech and the old world blues mod and adding stuff that should be in the game now and for free like: focus trees, a world war 1 scenario, post-game, espionage, and the league of nations/UN.
    Overall it needs a lot of work but is still pretty good especially with mods.    … Expand
  26. Jyadaus
    Jan 24, 2020
    5
    Its my first Paradox game. I tried to play EU3 and HoI3 but they are to hard. When HoI4 come out, i download it and i just learn this game in 30 hours.

    - AI is very bad. They like dumb. (After updates AI is improved, but they are still idiot.) - It is impossible to play the game after 1943. - There is no revolts. (Its coming with new update, but its to late.) - Peace-conferences...    Its my first Paradox game. I tried to play EU3 and HoI3 but they are to hard. When HoI4 come out, i download it and i just learn this game in 30 hours.

    - AI is very bad. They like dumb. (After updates AI is improved, but they are still idiot.)
    - It is impossible to play the game after 1943.
    - There is no revolts. (Its coming with new update, but its to late.)
    - Peace-conferences...
    - You could assign 40 million soldiers to 1 general. Even this was corrected later.

    Also, wanna hear a funny thing? A HoI4 mod, Kaiserreich is way better than original game. The mod adds special military units. Also, the mod has more special focus trees than the special focus trees in the game.    … Expand
  27. easygunnysniper
    Jan 23, 2020
    9
    If you are a WWII enthusiasts then this is the perfect game for you. It has somewhat high learning curve if this is your first HOI instalment you've ever played but once you have a hang of it, it is one of the most satisfying and gratifying experience.

    Being key players in WWII; scheme and manoeuvre your way to get the most during this world conflict. Japan is one of the best faction    If you are a WWII enthusiasts then this is the perfect game for you. It has somewhat high learning curve if this is your first HOI instalment you've ever played but once you have a hang of it, it is one of the most satisfying and gratifying experience.

    Being key players in WWII; scheme and manoeuvre your way to get the most during this world conflict.

    Japan is one of the best faction to start as, with a mixture of air, naval and land units at your disposal. Take over china whilst repelling naval invasions from the US. Kamikaze strike the US navy and take over south east Asia and the asian commonwealth. Not satisfied?

    You can role-play as the Führer himself take over France. Bomb the UK then undergo operation Barbarossa and successfully invade Russia with your Blitzkrieg Panzer tanks.
    or
    On the other hand rule the motherland with an iron fist as Josef Stalin, waiting to pounce when the German supplies are exhausted by the Russian winter with Russian Heavy Tanks and specialised Winter soldiers.

    These are but a few interesting scenarios in the game and you can change the course of history. Great depth and tactics involved.

    Downsides are that the game aren't really geared towards world domination/ or late game, and most mechanics involved will be during the WWII timeline. However this is understandable since the game is really about the WWII conflict. Few other nuisance here and there like microing your troops during air/naval invasion etc. but this can be overlooked when you are gearing up your nation for the final showdown to becoming the most glorious nations.

    Think hard, plan wisely and prepare well, as General Douglas MacArthur has put it, for:

    "In war there is no substitute for victory."    … Expand
  28. tomaszrock22
    Jan 5, 2020
    8
    The game is very immersive and fun. Although some mechanics are hard to learn. I still recommend this game very much!
  29. cheeki_breeki
    Dec 26, 2019
    10
    Первая стратегия в которой я залип так сказать,тут надо думать об экономике,об армии, исследованиях и отношения между странами.Здесь нельзя просто взять и сделать кучу армии и всех выйграть,нет,а надо продумывать их строение,об оружии,об местности в которой они будут находится и даже идут они в атаку или просто будут оборонять. Так же если включить исторический режим то можно простоПервая стратегия в которой я залип так сказать,тут надо думать об экономике,об армии, исследованиях и отношения между странами.Здесь нельзя просто взять и сделать кучу армии и всех выйграть,нет,а надо продумывать их строение,об оружии,об местности в которой они будут находится и даже идут они в атаку или просто будут оборонять. Так же если включить исторический режим то можно просто понаблюдать за событиями которые хоть как то покажет историю 2 мировой,конечно не подробную,но хотя б даты сможешь узнать.Лучшая стратегия в которую я играл… Expand
  30. vanzan100
    Dec 24, 2019
    8
    One of my favorites game... but they have to expensive DLCs with some content that should be on the base game
Page:

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 »