Hearts of Iron IV Reviews

Hearts of Iron IV is ranked in the 91st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Jun 6, 2016

By far the most accessible game of an intricately complex franchise. Hearts of Iron IV streamlines unit management and instead focus on creating alternative outcomes to WWII. Be sure to have a lot of free time to learn this one.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Jun 6, 2016

This is not a game you can just pick up and play, it takes many hours to learn the systems, how they interact, and what works well. This is a game that still teaches as long as you’re still learning, and this is a finely tuned wargame that has captured my heart and mind.

Read full review

3.5 / 5.0
Jun 19, 2018

Well, probably what the fans of the genre are looking for, it’s still a deep game, that’s a little hard to approach for outsiders. However, there’s a good game here, though the AI does have flaws.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Jun 6, 2016

Sandbox possibilities and endless ‘what-if’ questions bump up what is already an impressive level of replayability. Paradox Interactive have created a game that strategy gamers and history buffs should get on their shelves as soon as possible.

Read full review

Cubed3
Eric
Top Critic
5 / 10
Mar 19, 2018

The premise and the varied paths one can play through in alternate World War IIs are by far the shining points of Hearts of Iron IV and encourage multiple replays; the problem comes from the very complicated and particularly number heavy aspect of everything. The complexity and slow speed of how things evolve take the fun down notches lower than it otherwise would deserve. Endless clicking through menus, and a glacial speed, ruin what could have been a pretty slick overall experience.

Read full review

Jun 15, 2016

Hearts of Iron IV is an absolutely ideal grand strategy game. I fully expected it would be, and I’m not disappointed. I certainly wouldn’t recommend it as anyone’s first wargame, but I also wouldn’t talk you away from it if it were. With its hallmark multiple choice ways to conquer the world, along with being easier to initially grasp compared to the previous versions, Hearts of Iron IV is both admirably imposing and a well worthy title in the Hearts of Iron series.

Read full review

9.5 / 10.0
Jun 7, 2016

The things that upset me about the game stem from the exact reason I love it - I disagree with Paradox's description of the Centurion-class Battleships, for instance, but only because I'm a huge nerd, and therefore perfect for this game. It's definitely a "your mileage may vary", but I feel comfortable in saying, entrance to the grand strategy rabbit hole has never been easier. But be warned - it's still a deep rabbit hole.

Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
Jun 7, 2016

Hearts of Iron IV is an easy recommendation for grand strategy fans of all ages and encourages them to take the time to figure everything out.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Jun 6, 2016

What makes Heart of Iron IV work is the fact that although it’s moulded around just ten years of history, it offers so much historical background and variable outcomes, and as such packs a mightier punch than might be at first expected. It’s complicated - overly so at times - and may not offer the same amount of replayability as other genre similars, but one thing is certain: there is rarely a dull moment.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Aug 10, 2016

Hearts of Iron 4 is incredibly daunting for your average strategy player but for those who want war on its grandest scale yet - from the preliminary stages to the finale - it's worth playing.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Jun 7, 2016

Dramatically improving accessibility while retaining the precision and complexity of a classic stopwatch, Hearts of Iron IV is a must-buy for any grand-strategy aficionado.

Read full review

7 / 10
May 19, 2016

I bloody love Hearts of Iron IV. Even when I’m not doing anything, I really am, because my brain is still racing through all the things I need to do, all the focuses I’m contemplating, all the countries that might soon face my wrath.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Aug 9, 2016

On the other hand, if you want a massive, extremely fulfilling and rewarding simulation of World War II, then this game is a giant cornucopia of conflicts, engaging politics, management gameplay and pure fun. And when you’re tired of World War II, you’ll have endless alternate history scenarios to explore. Just make sure to go to work or school in the morning, because if Hearts of Iron IV really clicks with you, it won’t let go easily.

Read full review

Chris Wray
Top Critic
9.2 / 10.0
Jun 6, 2016

In my opinion, Hearts of Iron 4 is the best grand strategy game out there. The setting is added an excellent level of authenticity with the battle-plan feature, excellent Ai and a world map that is absolutely splendid to look at and watch the war unfold. Combined with a well developed political and infrastructure system, there is so much that can be done in the game, one that will absorb your time and leave you with lost time.

Read full review

7 / 10
Jun 8, 2016

It demands dedication (unless you’re a series vet) and neither AI nor UI are exactly flawless, but once you’re entrenched Hearts of Iron IV reveals itself as a capable and absorbing alt-history WW2 generator.

Read full review

8.8 / 10.0
Jun 24, 2016

I mean why repeat history when you can write it? It was my first Hearts of Iron game and I'm disgusted it took me so long to settle into the franchise. The learning curve is very reasonable, just expect to spend the first hour of a campaign reading everything. If you're into history that shouldn't be a problem. The game does a fantastic job at delivering accurate content and historical events. It does all this while allowing the player to go in any direction during a campaign

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Jun 6, 2016

A great game with a couple of fatal flaws, mainly in the AI department. Patches to the rescue!

Review in Italian | Read full review

Luke Plunkett
Top Critic
Unscored
Jun 6, 2016

Hearts of Iron IV is an incredibly rewarding strategy experience, letting you roll your sleeves up and re-fight the Second World War in a way that few other series have ever even attempted, let alone pulled off. Just know that to reap those rewards, you’re going to need to put in some work, and put up with a few quirks while you’re at it.

Read full review

8 / 10
Jun 8, 2016

The king of World War II-era grand strategy has returned with more engaging choices and a streamlined interface.

Read full review

T.J. Hafer
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Jun 6, 2016

Hearts of Iron 4 wields complexity like a swift armor division during the blitzkrieg, allowing it to serve the idea of layered, cerebral, strategic warfare instead of letting it needlessly bog down the experience.

Read full review