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

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. NZAnimeManga
    Aug 31, 2017
    7
    Fun WWII real-time strategy game, the pacing is a bit slow, but the mods make it incredibly fun! Not bought any of the DLC and am a bit disappointed by the lack of base-game minor country focus trees (literally only Poland). 7/10.
  2. vvmax
    Dec 26, 2018
    8
    The game was quite good but not as good as Crusader Kings 2. The game is about World War 2, which there are a hell lot of games about, making Hearts of Iron 4 very cliche, the game has a huge learning curve, which can make a lot of players quit. But other than that, Hearts Of Iron 4 is a brillian game.
  3. WCM320
    Feb 6, 2021
    9
    For what this game is, it's more or less the best you get right now.
    It has problems but I feel like any game of this kind is going to .
  4. Emperorfaris
    Mar 11, 2018
    9
    it's a great grand strategy mixed with sandbox, alternate history (if you want to), accurate history (again optional) and actual balanced game play the only downside of it is the lag and stuttering that happens when there's a lot happening in the game and the game is calculating.
  5. olegigor
    Feb 1, 2021
    7
    Don't pay attention to whining HOI3 veterans. The game has enough disadvantages and it's not about casualness at all (AI still sucks, primitive diplomacy, performance problems especially in multiplayer, majority of interesting game mechanics are in the paid DLC)
    The biggest plus of the game is its community and modders who are constantly making interesting content for the game. There    Don't pay attention to whining HOI3 veterans. The game has enough disadvantages and it's not about casualness at all (AI still sucks, primitive diplomacy, performance problems especially in multiplayer, majority of interesting game mechanics are in the paid DLC)
    The biggest plus of the game is its community and modders who are constantly making interesting content for the game. There are thousands of mods in the Steam Workshop that can change the game completely. Very good to play with friends    … Expand
  6. jtfris67
    Mar 24, 2018
    10
    This is simply the best WWII strategy game on the market. It's not close. If you enjoy playing strategic simulations of WWII this where you have to start. The interface will be too complicated for beginners but if you stick with it for a few weeks you'll really have something that you can use to simulate the big war.
  7. bastobasto
    Apr 15, 2018
    8
    I love HOI4. Really. But there are some things that are extremely frustating, especially the AI. and sometime lack of logic Atleast the mods are funny and well done. It is a good WW2 strategy game with amusing gameplay, but should have some corrections. ( And have Paradox stop milking money off the DLCS )

    For all of those crying that HOI3 is better : This is HOI4 we are criticing, not HOI3.
  8. Evgeny__N
    May 4, 2018
    9
    Кратко: Отличная стратегия про 2 мировую войну. Имеется SteamWorkshop с огромным количеством разных модов.
    Плюсы:
    -Очень хорошая стратегия. -Свобода действий. -Мультиплеер. -Хорошая графика для данного вида стратегий. -Разработчик слушающий комьюнити. -Часы геймплея. -Тысячи хороших модов. Минусы: -Большая цена. -Для всех тонкостей нужны дорогие DLC. -Нету понятного обучения.    Кратко: Отличная стратегия про 2 мировую войну. Имеется SteamWorkshop с огромным количеством разных модов.
    Плюсы:
    -Очень хорошая стратегия.
    -Свобода действий.
    -Мультиплеер.
    -Хорошая графика для данного вида стратегий.
    -Разработчик слушающий комьюнити.
    -Часы геймплея.
    -Тысячи хороших модов.
    Минусы:
    -Большая цена.
    -Для всех тонкостей нужны дорогие DLC.
    -Нету понятного обучения. (Сложная для игры в начале).    … Expand
  9. JoeMightBeFunny
    Jun 1, 2018
    9
    With an amazing modding community and interesting gameplay, HOI4 is my favorite Paradox strategy game.
  10. Vesar
    Dec 18, 2022
    8
    I spent 250+ hours in Hearts of Iron IV, I can say this isn't the best game created by Paradox Interactive, but it has a lot of potential with mods, multiplayer role plays and e-sport. I really enjoyed playing it and Im still playing HoI to this day.

    PROS: -Good Graphics -Intuitive UI -Great models used for troops -A lot of free mods (wide modder community) CONS: -It needs a good    I spent 250+ hours in Hearts of Iron IV, I can say this isn't the best game created by Paradox Interactive, but it has a lot of potential with mods, multiplayer role plays and e-sport. I really enjoyed playing it and Im still playing HoI to this day.

    PROS:
    -Good Graphics -Intuitive UI
    -Great models used for troops
    -A lot of free mods (wide modder community)

    CONS:
    -It needs a good pc to play at decent speed after 1943/45
    -DLC's are of cours really overpriced, most
    content is blocked by a paywall
    -You need a lot of time to undestand complex mechanics like a where to build railroads for the best supply, what templates to create, what meta is in MP etc.

    Still HoI4 is one of my favourites grand strategy games!    … Expand
  11. levart
    Jun 14, 2018
    10
    Игра просто интересна но для новичков (не игравших в серию игр hoi) будет сложно разобраться в ней. Обучение не советую проходить лучше посмотрите гайды об игре .
  12. 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
  13. poplo220
    Nov 28, 2018
    8
    De los mejores juegos de estrategia bélica en el mercado actualmente,
    Pese a que el juego base viene un poco flojo de contenido, la comunidad modder te permite jugar una infinidad de tiempo a este juego gracias a los mods que desarrollan.
    El juego cumple su función, entretiene y te ofrece un gran abanico de oportunidades a la hora de actuar. El encanto de este juego reside claramente    De los mejores juegos de estrategia bélica en el mercado actualmente,
    Pese a que el juego base viene un poco flojo de contenido, la comunidad modder te permite jugar una infinidad de tiempo a este juego gracias a los mods que desarrollan.

    El juego cumple su función, entretiene y te ofrece un gran abanico de oportunidades a la hora de actuar. El encanto de este juego reside claramente en esa posibilidad de poder coger cualquier país y llevarlo a lo más alto siendo un líder nato.

    La simualción es decente y la IA está currada, aunque eso no quita que sea predeciblem incluso en los niveles de dificultad más altos.

    El principal problema de esta entrega reside en la carencia de contenido en las civilizaciones, de 100 que puede llegar a haber ni 10 tiene una rama personalizada, algo que se ha intentado arreglar con los sucesivos DLC's que han ido sacando.

    Es un juego muy entretenido que cumple su función, pero en cuanto a estrategia es superado por Stellaris y EU4 sinceramente, si te gusta la segunda guerra mundial y la estrategia sin lugar a dudas este es tu juego.    … Expand
  14. Skogen21
    Oct 30, 2022
    10
    Great WWII strategy. As usual with Paradox games, the game is conceived as an alternative history sandbox. You can choose any nation and direct it in the direction you want. The game itself takes place on both strategic and tactical levels. You set up the war industry, prepare the design of the tanks/aircraft/ships, determine the composition of the units, plan and conduct the militaryGreat WWII strategy. As usual with Paradox games, the game is conceived as an alternative history sandbox. You can choose any nation and direct it in the direction you want. The game itself takes place on both strategic and tactical levels. You set up the war industry, prepare the design of the tanks/aircraft/ships, determine the composition of the units, plan and conduct the military operations themselves, and last but not least, the logistics, the supply of your units, is a critically important element of the game. I rate it 10/10 for complexity, replayability and at the same time freedom.… Expand
  15. LaDix
    Dec 15, 2020
    6
    200+ hourse and I still sucks at this game, it is a paradox game so ofc there is WAY to many DLC's and over price just like total war games.

    The game is good with mods with out it is sh*t with it can be fun, there is not that much more to say about the game beside that.

    F*CK NAZIS
  16. nikoparo03
    Dec 22, 2018
    9
    questo è stato il mio primo gioco paradox,e lo adoro! Per gli appassionati di storia come me lo consiglio moltissimo,unica pecca è che non c'è la lingua italiana,ma del resto tutto bellissimo per iniziare a giocare i grand strategy,mentre se avete gia giocato grand strategy troverete il gioco troppo semplice e noioso.
  17. Scotchex
    Feb 23, 2019
    9
    The graphics are good for a strategy game.
    I personally like WWI and WW2 themes, so this is also a plus to me.
    There are tons of mods, so I don't think so you'll get bored.
    But there are some bad things about the game,
    I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY DID YOU MAKE THE CAMERA CONTROL THIS BAD !
  18. rezo_21
    Oct 1, 2022
    6
    ====================IIIIIIIIII GAME SCORE : 63 IIIIIIIIII====================
  19. didopalqka
    May 7, 2019
    8
    The game is really cool but whitout mods the game will be very boring. It is great game.
  20. mahmutbaris
    Jun 14, 2019
    9
    steamde 100 saate yakın oynadığım bir oyun grand strategy türünü seviyorsanız oynamanızı tavsıye ederim
  21. 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!
  22. glomman
    Feb 3, 2021
    8
    I personally love this game, havong "only" spent about 500 hours in it, I can say that this is one of the best World War 2 and/or strategy games I've ever played. Everything from Infantry management to politics is represented with comparably deep gameplay.
    There's also a vast modding community which led to World War One, Alternate History in general, and even Fallout finding a place in    I personally love this game, havong "only" spent about 500 hours in it, I can say that this is one of the best World War 2 and/or strategy games I've ever played. Everything from Infantry management to politics is represented with comparably deep gameplay.
    There's also a vast modding community which led to World War One, Alternate History in general, and even Fallout finding a place in Hearts of Iron.
    Things that irritate a lot of people are the DLC policy imposed by the developers, where few is sold for much and some bugs, especially in the new launcher, occuring frequently.
    Regardless I had a ton of fun in my 500 hours of playing this game and I'm not done, HOI is one of those games you can play for hours without realising how much time really passed, few games do that these days, at least for me.    … Expand
  23. CountCristo
    Jul 19, 2019
    10
    The best WW2 strategy game on the market. The deepest front line warfare you can find outside HOI3.
  24. Adestinyfrog
    Sep 21, 2019
    9
    A game you can sink hours apon hours into. Well worth the price and the dlc is quality
  25. Didok
    Oct 10, 2019
    8
    I have been playing since 2017, I am very pleased with the game, but there are some problems that can be fixed from the very release of the game and not for the purchase of DLS. But still, I recommend this game for purchase.
  26. Danil_L
    Nov 13, 2021
    10
    Я в этой игре наиграл 10000 часов, я считаю что это хороший продукт.
  27. Averycrosslin
    Nov 2, 2019
    9
    After many rage quits, uninstalls, and reinstalls of the game, I have come to the conclusion that hearts of iron 4 is amazing. I have spent many hours on the game and I have only come to a fraction of the possibilities you can do. I love the freedom of choosing what to do and making alliances, building a military, and not to mention just wrecking the crap out of other countries. My onlyAfter many rage quits, uninstalls, and reinstalls of the game, I have come to the conclusion that hearts of iron 4 is amazing. I have spent many hours on the game and I have only come to a fraction of the possibilities you can do. I love the freedom of choosing what to do and making alliances, building a military, and not to mention just wrecking the crap out of other countries. My only complaints are, that it takes a while to learn the game, but once you learn it it is absolutely so much fun. Also, the multiplayer system needs better servers, because me and my friends are constantly disconnecting and we have to start a new game. Other than that, hearts of iron 4 is an absolutely outstanding game.… Expand
  28. TEYLIFE
    Nov 4, 2019
    8
    buen juego, aunque es agobiante durante las primeras horas debido a la gran cantidad de informacion a manejar luego se convierte en una delicia, para mi ese es precisamente el problema demasiada informacion y un tutorial que da mucho que desear, aparte de eso no le encontrado algun fallo mayor, bueno a ecxepcion de la mala autogestion que tiene el juego sobre los suministros, que enbuen juego, aunque es agobiante durante las primeras horas debido a la gran cantidad de informacion a manejar luego se convierte en una delicia, para mi ese es precisamente el problema demasiada informacion y un tutorial que da mucho que desear, aparte de eso no le encontrado algun fallo mayor, bueno a ecxepcion de la mala autogestion que tiene el juego sobre los suministros, que en partidas avanzadas llegan a ser un problema, y que estos suministros no se pueden gestionar manualmente… Expand
  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. SirFlankBoring
    Feb 4, 2023
    3
    I understand that some games are necessarily difficult to beat. Dark Souls is a game franchise where you use your head and prepare for each scenario or battle. And, even though it was extremely difficult to finish Dark Souls, the whole time the game pushed me to finish it; I feel none of that with Hearts of Iron IV.

    The way things work just doesn't match anything. You can't declare war,    I understand that some games are necessarily difficult to beat. Dark Souls is a game franchise where you use your head and prepare for each scenario or battle. And, even though it was extremely difficult to finish Dark Souls, the whole time the game pushed me to finish it; I feel none of that with Hearts of Iron IV.

    The way things work just doesn't match anything. You can't declare war, you have to wait an insane amount of time for things to happen. The tutorial is so long that I spent almost two hours on it alone. As I said before: I understand that some games are like that complicated, the original Deus EX franchise is extremely difficult for me for example, but it's not boring. I really dedicate myself to some games, but even if I put in the time and effort, I will never be able to enjoy this game.

    Regardless of what happens, I hope you understand that this is a niche game, which limits all your actions, but which could be much better if it were less complex or at least explained things well in the tutorial.    … Expand
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 »