Hearts of Iron

 PC
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
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  1. PC Gamer
    90
    A compelling WWII grand-scale sim. When I say "grand," I'm talking about a King Kong Burrito Supreme with extra sauce and tripple toppings. [Feb 2003, p.74]
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  2. netjak
    86
    Had there not been a load of stability problems and random crashes, this game could have easily been of A quality. This baby is really an incredible war strategy otherwise.
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  3. IGN
    85
    It's highly addictive and once you get over the learning curve (which is steepest in the wacky resource management part of the game), you'll find it deep and interesting.
  5. Adrenaline Vault
    80
    For those considering entering the world of war games, however, HoI has somewhat of a cruel learning curve that's accentuated by pockets of boredom and frustration - and not all players will enjoy the real time nature of the title.
  6. Game Over Online
    80
    It's made complex because of the user interface, which is anything but logical and intuitive. There are too many instances where doing something simple can be needlessly complicated.
  7. PC Format
    76
    It’s loaded with replay value, given the enormous number of permutations involved, and for those who can deal with it, it will turn out to be massively rewarding.
  8. GameZone
    75
    The learning curve is a huge hump to get over.
  9. GameSpot
    70
    Big, complex, and definitely not for a casual player seeking a little light entertainment.
  10. Computer Gaming World
    70
    A.I. nations will usually disintegrate, and you can conquer half the world without much trouble. [Feb 2003, p.94]
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  11. Eurogamer
    60
    The casual gamer should steer well clear. It just isn’t very friendly and not the type of game you can drop into for a quick burn.
  12. Gamers' Temple
    60
    All of this detail and complexity may be a dream for micromanagers, but all of the options do not seem to have much of a noticeable effect on the game.
  13. Computer Games Magazine
    40
    An ambitious mess, a noble mess, certainly a well-intentioned mess, but ultimately a mess nontheless. [Mar 2003, p.78]
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  14. Yahoo!
    40
    A real disappointment.

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best PC Game of 2002
62
#62 Most Discussed PC Game of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 35
  3. Negative: 3 out of 35
  1. NicholasD.
    Mar 6, 2004
    1
    Simply awful. Riddled with bugs after four patches and with a fundamental flaw - major nations are too hard to manage (while you're Simply awful. Riddled with bugs after four patches and with a fundamental flaw - major nations are too hard to manage (while you're trying to move hundreds of units, the enemy is quietly taking half your country) while minor ones can never have much impact on the game. Dull, buggy and overrated.… Full Review »
  2. BorisP.
    Jun 9, 2003
    9
    I play ver.104 it`s close to perfection, but when computer play US or UK never start masive invasion in west Europe. If Comp play Germany it I play ver.104 it`s close to perfection, but when computer play US or UK never start masive invasion in west Europe. If Comp play Germany it might invade England, and later USA (in my game it happend in 1945). If u want to try real chalenge u must play with furious AI. … Full Review »
  3. BrandonR.
    May 1, 2003
    10
    This game is the best!!! I made Russia own the world and you can make anything happen.
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