By James Cobb @ The Wargamer
Grand strategy games have always had two components: civilian and military. Although intertwined, one part usually dominants the other. Paradox Interactive’s fourth rendition of its World War II series, Hearts of Iron, may hay hit upon a way where each component is equal. To do this, the game is now very deep and comprehensive – so much so that each part, civilian and military, deserves its own review.
Hearts of Iron IV Gets Some Expert Analysis - Swedish Officer Evaluates the Wargame as First Major Patch Arrives
One test of a strategic wargame is whether real-world military expertise and planning translates to the virtual space. We invited Lieutenant-Colonel Conny Hansen of the Swedish Armed Forces to play Hearts of Iron IV in our studio so he could get the measure of Paradox Development Studio’s newest grand strategy wargame.
In this short video, you can watch Lt. Col. Hansen plot an American war strategy that puts the Pacific theatre first. What will await him when he finally looks across the Atlantic? Stay to the end for his final verdict on Hearts of Iron IV.
Meanwhile, away from Central Command, the Paradox team has been busy patching Hearts of Iron IV. Here’s a quick rundown of the improvements you can expect in this first major update to the game:
For a complete list of the fixes to Hearts of Iron IV, check this thread on our official forum.
For more information on Hearts of Iron IV, check out the games official website.
Experiencing the finer points of all-out war in a truly grand strategy simulation.
By TJ Hafer, IGN
Hearts of Iron 4 is an incredibly complex World War II simulation that will require potentially hundreds of hours to master, both in-game and poring over wiki articles that read like an economics textbook. And as someone eager to invest that kind of time into a game as long as it continues to reward me with new layers of depth, I consider that a very good thing. Thanks to an unusually striking look and clean, easily navigable interface, the biggest challenges we Hearts of Iron 4 presents us with are the good kind: strategic planning, division composition, and fine-tuning economic and political policies. The payoff is brilliant for those willing to put in the time to learn.
Paradox’s Grand Strategy War Game Now Available
Paradox Development Studio returns to one of its most popular game series with the release of Hearts of Iron IV. This giant war game gives you control of any nation in the world during the chaotic years in and around World War II. Vast armies are yours to command, industrial infrastructures are yours to build and the far reaches of science are yours to research.
The Hearts of Iron series has always been one of the deepest and most sophisticated games about humanity’s greatest conflict. Hearts of Iron IV brings greater attention to the big picture of battleplans and sweeping troop movements, with a heavier emphasis on accessibility without losing the depth that fans have long admired.
As the world tension grows, you will be tested as a president, a commander and an industrial titan.
Hearts of Iron IV is being released alongside the first minor power National Focus DLC, Poland: United and Ready which is available to all customers for free!
As well, the heavy metal band Sabaton, a popular group in the studio, has licensed a number of their World War II themed songs for a special Hearts of Iron music pack now available for purchase.
Take up arms in defense of your country, or sign up to impose your ideology on a hostile world. Hearts of Iron IV is here.
For more information on Hearts of Iron IV, check out the games official website.
Final Video Developer Diary Puts You In the Big Chair
With Hearts of Iron IV only days away, Paradox Development Studio offers you the levers of power as the world descends into the firestorm of World War II. The latest and final video developer diary before release outlines the types of decisions you will be asked to make as the president, prime minister or dictator of any nation you choose.
The focus here is on the big picture – the long term decisions you make as a national leader to set yourself up for ultimate victory.
On the political side of Hearts of Iron IV, you will responsible for the final shape your nation takes.
Hearts of Iron IV will be available on June 6, 2016.
For more information on Hearts of Iron IV, check out the games official website.
New Trailer Shows Soviet Stand Against Fascist Aggression
Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studio today announced the start of the pre-order for Hearts of Iron IV, the latest grand strategy game about one of the worlds most destructive conflicts. World War II is at your fingertips as you guide your nation, plan your research, build you forces and design sweeping battle plans that will put the world at your feet.
To illustrate the alternate history possibilities of Hearts of Iron IV, Paradox has released a trailer that posits a Japanese attack on a heretofore triumphant Soviet Union. Watch it here.
If you are among those prepared to heed the call of war, eager generals can sign on today. There are three game editions available for Hearts of Iron IV:
Every pre-order comes with additional rewards no matter which version you choose to buy:
In addition everyone who purchases Hearts of Iron IV will receive a free DLC, the Poland: United and Ready National Focus Pack. This DLC gives Poland a unique national focus tree , several 3D vehicle models, 2D art and additional leader portraits, fleshing out the experience of playing as the nation. The Poland: United and Ready DLC will be available for all players, no matter when they choose to purchase a copy of Hearts of Iron IV.
Hearts of Iron IV is the latest version of one of Paradox Development Studio’s most popular series. Take control of any nation in the world and guide it through humanity’s most trying hours. With a new and improved battleplan system, you will be able to direct sweeping movements of troops through steppes, deserts and jungles. Area and mission based systems take the micromanagement out of naval and air combat.
For prices in your region, please check the Paradox Store or your preferred digital retailer. For more information please visit the Hearts of Iron IV website.
Above the Clouds, Below the Seas, In the Factories
With the release of Hearts of Iron IV only weeks away, the developers behind Paradox’s newest grand strategy wargame want to imprint on your mind the scale of the task that lies ahead for desktop generals around the world.
The newest video developer diary emphasizes how Hearts of Iron IV will be the total strategy game for a total war. Victory will depend on your armies, but not on them alone.
Hearts of Iron IV is the latest version of one of Paradox Development Studio’s most popular series. Take control of any nation in the world and guide it through humanity’s most trying hours. With a new and improved battleplan system, you will be able to direct sweeping movements of troops through steppes, deserts and jungles. Area and mission based systems take the micromanagement out of naval and air combat.
And, as you would expect from a Paradox game, history is only a rough guide. You can rewrite the past through your daring charge to Berlin through Denmark, or a desperate assault on the Japanese home islands.
Hearts of Iron IV will be available on June 6, 2016.
For more information on Hearts of Iron IV, check out the games official website.
In a dark alternate timeline, a weakened United Kingdom falls to the overwhelming might of the Third Reich. In a new trailer for Hearts of Iron IV, you can watch the key events in the fall of Europe’s last hope as played out in the game’s Clausewitz engine. Paradox Development Studio presents Operation Sea Lion as a success:
The trailer shows air strikes on the British homeland, combat around the capital and demonstrates how players can follow the war on the map through descriptive arrows and animation. In Hearts of Iron IV, like all Paradox grand strategy games, history changes the moment you start your game.
Hearts of Iron IV will be your chance to revisit the last titanic military struggle between the world’s greatest powers. You have complete control over a nation’s industry, military doctrine, political goals and strategic planning. Assign your fleets and air wings to areas of operation, draft your invasion plans and keep your war economy running by protecting your convoys.
Hearts of Iron IV will be a 2016 release on major digital distributors.
For more information on Hearts of Iron IV, check out the games official website.
Source: Gamer’s Hell
Paradox Interactive has unveiled a new video and eleven fresh screenshots for Hearts of Iron IV, a game by Paradox Development Studio that challenges players to face the brutal conflict of World War II in a multifaceted grand strategy game, where history can be fully relived or rewritten from the perspective of a global superpower attempting to change the world, or a small nation simply trying to survive.
Hearts of Iron IV aims to be the most authentic real-time simulation of World War II to date, with authentic historical figures battling on land, sea, and air with period-accurate armies, vehicles, and newly discovered weapons of mass destruction – along with plenty of diplomatic and trade tactics.
Find out more about the game at the official Hearts of Iron IV website.
By Nik Gaukroger @ The Wargamer
Hearts of Iron IV is the latest iteration of Paradox Interactive’s successful World War 2 grand strategy title. However, I have to confess that the last version was, for me, a failure as I just couldn’t get into it at all. Therefore, it was with some trepidation that I accepted an invitation from Paradox to a two day multi-player event being held just outside of London – that’s a lot of time to commit to something you really may not like from the off. This was not helped by having very little time to get to know the game with the beta that was kindly provided and having to get going with game from the start of the event. So how did it work out?
