Hearts of Iron II

 PC
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83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 106 Ratings

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  • Summary: Hearts of Iron II is the sequel to the most appreciated World War II PC game of true Grand Strategic scope! As in its forbear, the map spans the entire world and allows you to play one of over 130 countries during the years of World War II. Hearts of Iron II is a dream come true for everyHearts of Iron II is the sequel to the most appreciated World War II PC game of true Grand Strategic scope! As in its forbear, the map spans the entire world and allows you to play one of over 130 countries during the years of World War II. Hearts of Iron II is a dream come true for every armchair general and forces the player to choose sides when democracy, communism and fascism clash in the battles that changed history. [Paradox]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. netjak
    95
    Improved in just about every way imaginable, Hears of Iron 2 will not only satisfy the fans of the previous game, but is now set up in such a way to entice an even larger market segment into enjoying the title.
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Pelit (Finland)
    90
    Takes a totalitarian approach to warfare. It is not just about men or machines, but economy, supply and politics, too. This just might be the most finished, solid game from Paradox yet and is heartily recommended to those enjoying grand-scale strategic wargaming. [Feb 05]
    All this publication's reviews
  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.
  4. Gaming Nexus
    85
    A solid, well polished WWII strategy title using the venerable Europa Universalis engine. It’s deep, it’s complex, and just a bit overwhelming.
  5. GameSpot
    83
    If not for lingering issues with the steep learning curve, the barrage of information boxes, and a couple of bugs, this would undeniably be Paradox's finest hour.
  6. PC Gameworld
    80
    With incredible flexibility, freedom, and depth, this is a history buffs dream and should not be passed up if you are a fan of the genre.
  7. Computer Gaming World
    50
    The biggest problem is that the province-based movement system doesn't lend itself well to re-creating the kinds of huge land campaigns that give a good strategic war game its sense of scope. [Apr 2005, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 26
  3. Negative: 2 out of 26
  1. Orctownorc
    Oct 4, 2012
    10
    This game gets a 10 to show that I don't have a special hatred of Paradox interactive. It's worth a 9, but we go to 10 to make the point.This game gets a 10 to show that I don't have a special hatred of Paradox interactive. It's worth a 9, but we go to 10 to make the point. While this is NOT the best WWII game ever. It is possibly the best grand strategy WWII game. The best WWII game BY FAR is CCV (Invasion Normandy) modded version Gold Juno Sword, played versus a human opponent. HOI2 meanwhile is still a great game, and far more accessible, functional and user friendly than its bloated decendent HOI3. HOI2 has a far better balance of detail and playability. HOI2 has a much more accessible and enjoyable research system. HOI2 has such obviously useful tools as a way to find units by type, which inexplicably disappeared in the latest game. The only problem with this game is that it needs to be patched or modded with new graphics options so that it can scale properly on present-day monitors. Paradox should swallow their pride and stop making expansions for the HOI3 turkey until they have rebuilt and improved this older but far superior game. Reading the reviews its hard to stop laughing at how seriously Paradox fans take themselves. There is nothing hard, deep, or intellectually challenging about this game. It's easy. It's fun. And it was designed by guys who want to imagine that the Germans could have and should have won the war, which should be a hint as to which faction you want to choose if you want to enjoy yourself. Enjoy yourself. this is a great game. And unlike most Paradox strategy sausage machines you don't have to cheat to win.… Expand
  2. 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 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!… Expand
  4. 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 ArmageddonFor 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
  5. 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!
  6. aeterna789
    Feb 22, 2013
    9
    Hearts of Iron 2 is more than just a game, its a simulation of events that have or may have happened during the history. The game features aHearts of Iron 2 is more than just a game, its a simulation of events that have or may have happened during the history. The game features a very deep and engaging game play with high attention to details to historical events, people and places. Combat is more than just "kill everything that is not you", alliances are lasting, economics is is adequate and actually strategic planning on part of the player is needed to win. The game does have its flaws. One of which is the very steep learning curve as the tutorial was severely lacking in information. It might take you 2 to 3 restart of the campaign until you get the hang of it. Overall the game focuses more on it's gameplay rather than the graphics, it's fun and enjoyable to both gamers and history buffs. Mods are highly supported that has yielded extended game time and re-playability. I would highly recommend this game to people who like historical games but not to people who like fast paced and graphics based gamers.… Expand
  7. 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 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
  8. AnastasioB.
    Feb 26, 2005
    0
    Really difficult to learn and play. Games are for fun, not for studying artificial intelligence...

See all 26 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best PC Game of 2005
50
#50 Most Discussed PC Game of 2005

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