Arsenal of Democracy

About

"Arsenal of Democracy" is a World War II simulation game that allows players to control any nation during the era of 1936-64. The game features detailed models for economics, diplomacy, research, and intelligence, as well as advanced combat mechanics for land, sea, and air warfare. With single-player and multi-player scenarios, players can use flexible production systems to master the challenges of this historical period. This game is the ultimate World War II simulation and builds on the experience and community input of the Hearts of Iron series.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 370 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

One of the best WWII strategy games, extremely in-depth and high detail, offering a nostalgic experience that newer versions lack.
Great political, commercial, and military freedom, allowing players to explore various scenarios and strategies.
The game has immense replay value, with a wealth of historical detail and the ability to choose from dozens of real generals.

The AI can feel unbalanced, often favoring certain nations like Germany, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
The learning curve is steep, with a poorly designed manual and a confusing user interface that can make gameplay challenging.
There are significant bugs and issues, such as the game not launching in full screen and problems with naval invasions.

gameplay
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
75%
8%
The gameplay of the Hearts of Iron series is praised for its balance between intuitiveness and complexity, making it engaging yet challenging, especially for newcomers. While some players appreciate the depth of mechanics and strategic options, others find certain elements, like unit merging, confusing and suggest a preference for turn-based mechanics over real-time gameplay. Overall, the series is recommended for those who enjoy a mix of diplomatic and military strategy, despite its less polished graphics and occasional distractions from core gameplay.
- “If Age of Empires and Command Ops are the two ends of the strategy game spectrum, Hearts of Iron hits the perfect balance between intuitiveness and complexity (both in terms of visuals and gameplay).”
- “558 hours of gameplay over 4 years; perhaps the best grand strategy game ever made—so simple yet engrossing.”
- “This is the absolute best game in the Hearts of Iron series. While Darkest Hour is the most stable and has a lot of nice features, the logistics, combat, and other mechanics simply make this the best game in the series.”
- “A bit difficult to master, and the gameplay isn’t so easy for a rookie.”
- “I looked online for the mechanics of merging units, and this is really something I shouldn't have to troll the internet to guess at.”
- “I come from Empire: Total War, so I get the idea of developing an economic base, researching units, etc. However, I think the mechanic for HOI would have a better feel if it was turn-based rather than the faster-than-real-time that the game uses.”
graphics
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
53%
20%
The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated and basic, with many users noting a lack of visual appeal and occasional glitches. However, some players appreciate the simplicity and functionality of the graphics, stating that they do not detract from the overall gameplay experience. While the visuals may not impress, the game's depth and strategic elements are praised, making it a worthwhile experience for those who prioritize gameplay over graphics.
- “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors; although there are some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
- “I guess this game is a little dated now and the graphics are a bit basic, but it suits my headspace and I keep coming back to it.”
- “I love trying to take over the world as any different country, and using cheats also helps make the game even more interesting. This game is truly amazing, with simple graphics and a virtually flawless system.”
- “Don't play this game if you're hoping for any type of graphical appeal because there is zero. You need to like informational tabs and history. Anyway, so far I would give this a 5/10, minus for graphics (lack of), user unfriendlyness, and the pain of install. Other than that though, it's a WWII grand strategy game that can be as fast or slow-paced as you want it. Hope this helps anyone thinking about getting it.”
- “No fancy graphics; well, you may even say no graphics at all, as you will turn off the animated sprites after a few hours of gameplay and use counters to represent units/armies as they are much more informative at a glance.”
- “Overall, it is better than the successor, HOI 3, in every way except map graphics, particularly because the regions in HOI 3 in the US don't take into account the accurate shape of the states, whereas in all HOI games preceding, the states are accurately shaped by region and province shape.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game is praised for its exceptional replayability, with users highlighting its detailed mechanics and strategic depth as key factors that encourage multiple playthroughs. It is considered a standout title in its series, offering immense replay value that keeps players engaged.
- “Absolute champion in the series, HOI2: AOD goes so much in detail; it has immense replay value.”
- “Now this is an awesome strategy game with huge replay value!”
- “Replayability value is excellent.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story aspect of the game is criticized for the absence of a dedicated reconnaissance mission, which undermines the historical role of aircraft like the PBY and B-17 in enemy detection and reporting. This omission is seen as a significant flaw, detracting from the overall narrative experience.
- “However, there is no mission available to actually allocate PBYs or B-17s to fly reconnaissance, and only reconnaissance--and that is a big deal.”
- “The PBY's primary mission was to find the enemy and report back.”
- “Another issue--where is the reconnaissance mission?”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game experiences notable stability issues, including frequent glitches, screen distortions, and random crashes. While the graphics are vibrant and enjoyable, these technical problems detract from the overall experience, with AI behavior also being affected by these inconsistencies.
- “As any game of this depth, there are the random glitches and oddities that occur - screen glitches, random crashing, and AI using nonsensical tactics that ultimately cause their downfall.”
- “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
- “Weird glitches and in-game bugs.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The music in the game is generally appreciated as a good backdrop for gameplay, but players have noted that it is excessively loud, with no option to lower the volume, leading to discomfort. Additionally, the installation process was frustratingly long, and some users experienced lag in multiplayer modes.
- “Great game to listen to music to and click buttons.”
- “The music adds a vibrant atmosphere to the gameplay.”
- “The soundtrack is engaging and enhances the overall experience.”
- “You can't lower the music in the game, which caused my headphones to explode.”
- “The music is still very loud, and the multiplayer experience is laggy.”