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Hearts of Iron II PC
User Score
8.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 43
  3. Negative: 5 out of 43

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  1. RolandM.
    Jan 9, 2005
    10
    Best WW2 game ever!!!
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  2. Joe
    Jun 2, 2005
    10
    Hard to get the hang of at first, but once you do I don't think you'll ever put it down!
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  3. Jack
    Aug 4, 2009
    10
    An intellectually stimulating, historically accurate game that does not use pretty graphics to hide lack of depth, this is HoI II. The focus of the game is to provide a more accurate RTS. No "great commander" that produces factories on a tactical map, rather a strategic view, this is more akin to what a general would see. Learning the game may take a game or two before you can fully appreciate what you can do. While this may not appeal to those who would rather control a beautifully rendered Sherman and successfully engage five or more Koenigtiger, those who have a true interest in strategy will be captivated.… Expand
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  4. PatrickS.
    Feb 25, 2005
    2
    Hearts of Iron 2 seems more of an attempt to make a historical model program rather than a "game". After going through the very awkwardly done and inadequqte "tutorial", i found the gaphics, the structure, and the game play itselt to be very dull. Yes, there are photos of every cabinet member and general. But so what, if the game isn't fun to play? Hearts of Iron manages to provide monumental levels of detail but at the same time fails to synthesize them into a worthwhile abstraction for command, control, and play. Notions such as "being able to play any country" seem interesting for reviewers to note, but in real terms, does anyone really want to play an entire game of WWII as Argentina or Tasmania? There's no point to such mechanics as far as gaming goes, though if one is making some kind of modeling software to the conflict, then i suppose one has that. But i don't buy games to use them as encyclopedias. I buy them to play. And for play, Hearts of Iron is a complete dud. Unless you're a detail-driven simulation-holic, avoid this one!… Expand
    • 2 of 4 users said yes
  5. BlakeT.
    Feb 1, 2005
    9
    Amazing! If you are interested in a detail oriented simulation of World War II, this is your game. However, I caution anyone who is looking for another Command and Conquer game to look elsewhere. This isn't an "action" game - it is pure strategy. Don't buy this game expecting to "blow stuff up." On the positive side, the level of detail is fantastic. You can play ANY country in the world and control just about every single decision that will have an impact on the country's future. One game could easily take weeks to complete. However, I couldn't give it a 10 for a few reasons. First, the sound, music, and graphics are all circa 1989 - nothing fantasic here. But, it wasn't why I bought the game anyway. Also, the game is phenominally difficult. The tutorial, though good, doesn't go into enough detail and leaves you hanging. Thankfully, the game's manual was written by a fan and fellow gamer - so, if you can read, you will figure it out. I'm also impressed with the game developer's website and forums. There is real sense of community among players and lots of help. The company also releases patches frequently. If you are a strategy guru and don't mind getting a little overwhelmed, buy this game.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  6. H.Lokesz
    Mar 16, 2005
    9
    This is a unique game that makes it possible for you to play a major country in the WW2 conflict. It is not only about war but also about diplomacy and economics which should drive the war-machine. Newbies to the Paradox game engine must realise that it takes weeks of study to master the game. There are some nice 'small' campaigns to have some fun while you are studying. It is a game for the armchair-generals among us.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  7. Sajer
    Mar 22, 2005
    8
    The game by which all past, present and future Grand Strategic scale games will be judged. FPS and RTS fans need not apply.
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  8. AlexeyS.
    Apr 28, 2005
    10
    Addictive. Interesting. Historical. Well... it gives you at least knowledge of world map and WWII history.
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  9. AndyK.
    Apr 4, 2005
    10
    Best WW2 game ever. Only lazy or stupid people won't love it.
    • 1 of 2 users said yes
  10. SimonL.
    May 4, 2005
    10
    Having played all of the Paradox Europa engine based games I can honestly say there is as much tension in them as a good FPS or RTS title. Nothing beats those carefull war plans that go "pop" when the action starts!
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  11. Kris
    Jun 17, 2005
    10
    Absolutely amazing. The game's not easy to learn, but once you do, it's by far the most impressive strategy game available, stressing on realism and historical fact.
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  12. Chimp
    Dec 22, 2004
    10
    Ive never played the first one, and im usually not a fan of wargames, but when I got the demo, my mind changed. The demo has no tutorial-so I didnt understand everything, but I can tell if I learned everything I would be hooked. But the best part is the amount of detail. You can play as ANY country that existed in 1936-1950. Plus, they each have their own generals with photographs and real names and real government people. Plus, you can fight anywhere in the world. You can play as Peru and go to war with Brazil if you want! Or anything. Plus, the multiplayer mode is gonna support 32 people! thats alot for a strategy game.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  13. MikeD
    Feb 28, 2009
    9
    The most intense, historically accurate and most complex strategy game ever created. Multiplayer games and the possibility to play as the leader of any WWII country(yes, even Paraguay or Luxemburg etc. who either got rammed completely/didn't take any part in the war) make the game even better. The reason for the rating 9 instead of 10 is the fact that towards the end of a game the massive amount of land, air and naval units will be tough for you computer and the game might get laggy. The other reason is that it has some minor glitches like naval fleets that don't really exist. Most of the glitches are very small and rare and can be fixed by saving and loading the game.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  14. AaronH
    May 22, 2009
    9
    Obviously intended for a more methodical, intellectual gamer, Hearts Of Iron II is unmatched in the genre despite a number of troubling technical problems. Whether you wish to entertain a personal vision of world domination, twist the events of history as a lesser power or immerse yourself in the complexities of strategic and tactical warfare, this is the culmination of your desires. One can only hope that the sequel well be more of the same with fewer technical issues.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  15. RobertM.
    Dec 22, 2006
    10
    This game blows all others out of the water. To be fully successful, you must master all aspects of the game. Force composition, support firepower and technology are a must before the battles ever start. Thank you for this game!
    • 1 of 2 users said yes
  16. smijatov
    May 28, 2011
    10
    This may be just about one of the best strategy games of all time. It has a rather steep learning curve, though, and it took me 3 years, on and off to fully get to appreciate it and learn how to play it successfully. That being said, it's rather hard beating Germany in any case, but that is what makes this game even better than most - it actually challenges the player. Definitely highly recommended for all historic strategy nerds, such as myself! :)… Expand
  17. AnastasioB.
    Feb 26, 2005
    0
    Really difficult to learn and play. Games are for fun, not for studying artificial intelligence...
    • 0 of 2 users said yes
  18. thevaliant
    May 27, 2011
    10
    For those that want a World War 2 grand strategy game, look no further than this, or at least, look no further than the latest Armageddon version. Micromanagement set just right at the divisional level. A relatively simple tech tree and a diplomatic system that works just right. I always used to say that Civilization II was the best game I'd ever played, but I was wrong. It's this one and six years later I am still playing it almost every day.… Expand
  19. krasnyoktya
    Jan 8, 2012
    10
    This game is not flashy, but the combination of historical accuracy and strong online community can turn this game into anything you want it to be. Out of the box, it is difficult to get the hang of, but after a few games you will really feel like you can conquer the world. If the vanilla game gets boring, there are numerous different patches and alterations made by the community to make it more difficult or more realistic. The community adds leaders, events and countless other features. Everything about this game is great, and there are relatively few bugs for such a huge game.… Expand
  20. Imachuemanch
    Aug 19, 2011
    9
    It's definietly the best Paradox's game. A peak of what global strategy game can do and don't get you bored to death (like Supreme Ruler did). Huge possibilities, huge potential, huge fun from changing the history - U.S.A, Germany, Poland and Japan against the Soviet Union? Why not! Or do you want the Soviet Union to be conquered by China, Findland, Japan and Poland? Or maybe Soviet Union domination, devastating every enemy one by one, creating a Global Soviet Union? Everything is possible here, but it requires a lot of effort to make such wicked thought come to live. It has some bugs and one, biggest disadvantage: very limited time of game with one country. I would love to have Hearts of Iron in 1800 - 2000 period of time.… Expand
  21. Pier11
    Jan 13, 2012
    9
    The game is very good but it's hard to learn how to play and do the things but if you want a game who tell the story this is not the best game because you can change everything but the game is good. There is something that you need to know Hearts of Iron 2 is better than Hearts of Iron 3, but the money that you are going to spend is your.
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. GameZone
    87
    One of the most in-depth strategy games around. There are so many different things you can do during the course of one game it is almost baffling.
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  2. IGN
    87
    Undeniably fantastic and a considerable improvement over the original game.
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  3. Boomtown
    90
    Few will tire of the almost endless possibilites available to England, Germany, Russia and so on. There will probably never be a more realistic and detailed WW2 game for the PC, and if this is the sort of thing that floats your boat, go buy it now.
    Read full review
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