However, that was not necessarily the path I had to take. As part of their development as a nation, I followed the path they took during World War II: alliance with Germany, war with Ethiopia, and so on. The UI can get very complex in Hearts of Iron IV.įor example, I decided to play Italy, to begin with – it was the nation featured in the tutorial, so it was possible to overcome the intense level of micromanagement (more on that later). This is not a simple game – and that is both its strength and its weakness.

Nearly every part of your country’s production, diplomacy, army, and society is under your control, and while war is certainly brewing even during the early months of 1936, the powers that you are granted from the very beginning can be overwhelming. Paradox is well known for its grand strategy games, but Heart of Iron IV exists in a league of its own – if only for the sheer complexity of the game. There are soldiers to train, alliances to craft, land to protect and people to inspire. However, taking on the role of a world leader at this time is not easy. It all hits that much closer to home when it is cultures and peoples that you recognize, and that goes double for a scenario as important as World War II, the era that Hearts of Iron IV concerns itself with. There’s something about being able to change the course of history, or watch as your nation takes over the globe, or see a once-destitute country grow into a world superpower under your guidance. Historical grand strategy games will always have a place close to the center of my heart.

Hearts of iron iv trailer