Hearts of Iron

Rating:
Summary: looks are decieving
Review: all the detail in the game is really mesmerizing. fascinating until you get through the first months of playing and realize commerce, diplomacy, research although keeps up a promising appearance, it just don't amount to beans, ie you can rsearch all the stuff for nuclear bombs and/or V1 or V2 rockets, the game just does not have them designed to ever really happen. the designers figure you'll be too engrossed slogging it out with the icons. a real let down and major dissapointment when i finally have to accept the game is not all they marketers promise.

Rating:
Summary: Liked Europa Universalis, hated this game
Review: When I heard this game came out and that it was by the same makers as EU, I was excited to start playing. I was very disappointed. This game, in my opinion, was harder than Europa Universalis--too hard to make it enjoyable. I still think though that the game is well put together and would be very interesting for those that like this era of history. Not for the light gamer.

Rating:
Summary: Slow moving - Complex - Unexciting
Review: OK -- lots of bad rap (and some good) on this game. I'll start off with this... Hearts of Iron gets 5 stars in my book for the best strategy game around, but I take one away for the game manual. Sorry, I'm one of those who believe a great game should have equally great documentation. The manual is poorly written, has typos, and leaves entire aspects of the game completely untouched. Hence, you feel even more overwhelmed by an already deep game.

Having said this, it makes discovering the gems of the game that much better. roadtowar.com is THE website to go to for answers. There are forums covering everything, with tips from guys who play A LOT. Once you put the time into figuring out all the games nuances, the reward is there.

For those who trash the game, saying they don't like having to micromanage economies, pick leaders of armies, and figure out the enormous (and accurate) tech tree.... I suggest that maybe REAL strategy games are not your thing. Stick to good, but very different "strategy" games that are much shallower and easy to learn, like Warcraft and Age of Empires.

For those who like real, in-depth, strategy with lots of options, and deep, solid gameplay, Hearts of Iron is about the BEST you can do. You do have to be prepared for a time commitment to enjoy it to the fullest, though. Just don't give up on it, and you'll see what I mean.