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. 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
  2. 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*
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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.
  7. 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
  8. 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.
  9. Galverizer
    Jun 16, 2016
    10
    Most negative players are negative to the battle plan taht don't let you controll much. Thing is you can plan battle plans and then delete the battle plan and controll your own units. And you STILL get the bonus from battle planning. This is the most effektive way to do it if your good at incircling with fast moving divisions. The focus in the game is on production and manuevering yourMost negative players are negative to the battle plan taht don't let you controll much. Thing is you can plan battle plans and then delete the battle plan and controll your own units. And you STILL get the bonus from battle planning. This is the most effektive way to do it if your good at incircling with fast moving divisions. The focus in the game is on production and manuevering your units not R&D or diplomacy. If you want a diplomacy deep game then play EU4. If you want just war and manuering and strategical decitions like taking out the enemies resources instead of his industries. Then that is up to you what you find most effective. Also the hole logistic for your forces is an intressting and realistic gameplay. It was the logistic that Hitler failed to understand when he choose to rather go for natural resources then to destroy USSRs logistics which his Generals wanted, and probebly made him lose the war. You need very little managment of the Air forces since it all is focused on the land battles below. I am fine with that. AI is very retarded but I am sure a patch will come out to fix that. But a retarded AI isn't a problem when you play it in MP as I intend to do. If you gonna play it in single player mode then I suggest you wait until the AI is working.… Expand
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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.
  13. rwei7481
    Apr 19, 2017
    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!!!
  14. 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.
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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.
  18. 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 .
  19. 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
  20. 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
  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. CountCristo
    Jul 19, 2019
    10
    The best WW2 strategy game on the market. The deepest front line warfare you can find outside HOI3.
  23. Danil_L
    Nov 13, 2021
    10
    Я в этой игре наиграл 10000 часов, я считаю что это хороший продукт.
  24. 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
  25. JolyEuro
    Dec 3, 2019
    10
    Best game that i was playing!
    You choose what you want to do and best thing is that you have to construct factory and you don't need any recourses for it
    10/10
  26. 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
  27. Horrorsaw
    Apr 2, 2020
    10
    Bol detaylı bir strateji oyunu. Başlarda karmaşık gelecektir ama 5-10saat oynadıktan sonra bırakamayacaksınız.
  28. SirEliteTheUgly
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    Such a fantastic game if you are into WW2 history and grand strategy games.
  29. madloring
    Jun 19, 2020
    10
    Как по мне, лучшая игра от парадоксов. Приятно иметь возможность начать игру и быстро организовать свои армии.
  30. 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
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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 »