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Hearts of Iron

EMAIL PRINT pc

8.4 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 13 critic reviews
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Based on 13 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Strategy First Inc.

Developer: Paradox Entertainment

Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: November 26, 2002

Summary

Hearts of Iron is the first ever World War II PC game of true Grand Strategic scope. The game map spans the entire world and allows players to take the War to any new front of their choosing. Any nation in the world is playable, but the game focuses on the epic struggle between the great alliances of the new world orders Fascism, Communism and Democracy. Hearts of Iron is developed by the team behind the award-winning sales success Europa Universalis I and II and brings the same depth of gameplay and historical accuracy to a modern day gaming experience. Hearts of Iron aims to be no less than the definitive World War II strategic experience. [Strategy First]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Hearts of Iron II

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

PC Gamer

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]

netjak

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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IGN

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.

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Adrenaline Vault

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.

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Game Over Online

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.

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PC Format

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.

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GameZone

The learning curve is a huge hump to get over.

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GameSpot

Big, complex, and definitely not for a casual player seeking a little light entertainment.

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Computer Gaming World

A.I. nations will usually disintegrate, and you can conquer half the world without much trouble. [Feb 2003, p.94]

Eurogamer

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.

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Gamers' Temple

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.

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Computer Games Magazine

An ambitious mess, a noble mess, certainly a well-intentioned mess, but ultimately a mess nontheless. [Mar 2003, p.78]

Yahoo! Games

A real disappointment.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Nicholas D. gave it a 1:
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.

Boris P. gave it a 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 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.

Brandon R. gave it a 10:
This game is the best!!! I made Russia own the world and you can make anything happen.

Ivan J. gave it a 9:
It's a good try, but not perfect. Howewer it's my favourite game today!

Jeff T. gave it a 9:
This game is brilliant! The visuals may not be very exciting, the music and sound effects aren't that impressive either, but the depth of the game is impressive. Although it sometimes gets slightly weird (I lost 3 air squadrons because Italians moved into one of my provinces), the game is incredible nonetheless. This is a strategy game that none should miss.

jj pc gave it a 10:
Gr8 game.

Andrew G. gave it a 9:
This is a strategy game! People who like strategy like to think. This game makes you think. The scale is awsome and real Admirals and Field Marshalls drag you deep into the 'reality' of the game. Yes, it's a tough learning curve but once you get to grips with it the rewards are endless. This is simply the mosty addictive gaming experience I have come across outside of CivIII.

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Hearts of Iron

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