Hearts of Iron 2 Complete

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 298 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • replayability
Hearts of Iron 2 Complete Game Cover
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"Hearts of Iron 2 Complete" is a strategy war game set in the period of World Wars II and III. As the leader of one of 175 countries, players must navigate diplomacy, production, and combat in a detailed and realistic gameworld. With a new political system, historical scenarios, and various battle options, this game offers a complex and engaging experience for fans of strategic warfare.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 298 reviews
gameplay2 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • Hearts of Iron 2 offers a captivating journey through WWII with its strategic depth and historical accuracy.
  • The game has virtually infinite replayability, allowing players to explore various scenarios and outcomes.
  • It strikes a balance between accessibility and complexity, making it enjoyable for both new and experienced players.
  • The game is prone to frequent crashes and has compatibility issues with modern operating systems.
  • The tutorial is inadequate, leaving players to learn many mechanics through trial and error.
  • Naval combat is frustrating and unbalanced, making it less enjoyable for players focused on that aspect.
  • gameplay11 mentions

    The gameplay is described as fun and engaging, with a mix of mechanical depth and complexity that remains interesting even after extended playtime. While some players find it familiar, especially if they have experience with similar titles, others appreciate the innovative mechanics and additional gameplay options introduced in newer iterations. However, the extensive tutorial leaves many mechanics unexplained, requiring players to learn through trial and error.

    • “Fun, simple, and yet still interesting after 10 hours of gameplay.”
    • “It does not take long for you to get accustomed to the gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is hard and innovative.”
    • “Yeah, there's mechanical depth and complexity, but there's also all the plague, outdoor toilets, and unrefrigerated obsolescence of a game this old.”
    • “Gameplay feels too familiar to be entirely pleasing, especially if you've spent much of the past year running roughshod over Hitler or slapping around Stalin in the compulsively playable original game.”
    • “The tutorial, though extensive, does not cover even half of the game's mechanics (you'll have to learn the other half through trial and error).”
  • graphics9 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated and basic, with some users noting vibrant colors but also mentioning glitches and a lack of freshness in the visuals. While the aesthetics may evoke nostalgia for some, they may not appeal to players accustomed to modern graphics; however, easily installable mods can enhance the visual experience. Overall, the graphics are functional but not impressive, with occasional technical issues.

    • “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although some ugly glitches here and there; it is pleasant all the same.”
    • “This game brings back many memories, but nowadays if you are not accustomed to the older graphics, I recommend the new ones.”
    • “The graphics of the game are very simple, but the easy-to-install mods that are available will certainly improve your experience.”
    • “The visuals are very basic and rigid, obviously.”
    • “However, the graphics are outdated, and you may encounter some unexpected crashes.”
    • “This game brings back many memories, but nowadays if you are not accustomed to the older graphics, I recommend the new ones.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, users highlight that the game offers significant replayability, particularly praising its balance and the variety of playable nations, with over 175 options available. However, some express dissatisfaction with the replayability of certain versions, specifically noting that HOI3 and HOI4 have issues that detract from their replay value.

    • “Good balance and replayability.”
    • “Loads of replayability and much easier to get to grips with than HOI3.”
    • “+ extensive replayability (over 175 playable nations)”
    • “3 is idiotic, and 4 has a wonky game system and has low replayability.”
    • “I think HOI2 has such odd replayability to it.”
    • “Loads of replayability and much easier to get to grips with than HOI3.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game features vibrant graphics but is marred by noticeable bugs and glitches, which can detract from the overall experience. While some players find the issues tolerable, others may be put off by the instability and slow start.

    • “This game is really buggy, but if you don't mind the bugs and the slow start to the game, go for it.”
    • “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
    • “The game glitches, and Argentina randomly surrenders to fascist Brazil, and I make them my puppet.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players appreciate the balance in province sizes, which allows for strategic gameplay without the tedium often associated with manual control in similar games like HOI3. The ability to effectively utilize terrain and weather enhances the experience, making grinding feel less burdensome.

    • “This version is far better than HOI3, which I also own but find tedious to play.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The optimization of the mode is highly praised, as it enhances the performance of HOI2 Armageddon while incorporating various bug fixes from the 1.3 patch and subsequent updates by the DH development team. Overall, users find the improvements significant and beneficial for gameplay.

    • “That mode is basically optimized (performance-wise) HOI2 Armageddon with additional bug fixes (both from the 1.3 patch and the ones developed later by the DH dev team).”
    • “That mode is basically optimized (performance-wise) HOI2 Armageddon with additional bug fixes (both from the 1.3 patch and the ones developed later by the DH dev team).”
  • music2 mentions

    The music in the expansion maintains the high quality typical of Paradox games, complementing the original's aesthetic with a consistent, albeit shrill, score. However, some players note that the fixed resolution of 1024x768 detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The music is of the usual high Paradox quality, and the sounds and graphics do what little is needed.”
    • “The look and feel of the expansion match the original game right down to the shrill musical score and the lame fixed resolution of 1024x768.”
    • “The music is of the usual high Paradox quality, but the sounds and graphics do what little is needed.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players report a strong sense of satisfaction and emotional fulfillment upon overcoming challenges in the game, highlighting a rewarding experience that contributes positively to their overall enjoyment.

    • “It made me feel good when I conquered it all.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Players find humor in the unexpected and often absurd outcomes of gameplay, such as historical inaccuracies like French tanks invading Berlin in 1941 due to supply issues. These moments of unintended hilarity contribute to the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “I have also had games that failed equally hilariously, such as when French tanks rolled into Berlin in 1941 because my spearhead into Belgium was put out of supply and destroyed in May 1940 as Germany.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is heavily influenced by its Cold War setting, with a sense of tension and intrigue that enhances the overall experience.

    • “The game masterfully captures the tension and intrigue of the Cold War atmosphere.”
    • “The haunting soundtrack and detailed environments create an immersive atmosphere that pulls you in.”
    • “Every shadow and sound contributes to a palpable sense of unease, enhancing the overall atmosphere.”
    • “The game fails to create an immersive atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected.”
    • “The lack of environmental detail detracts from the overall atmosphere, making it feel bland and uninspired.”
    • “Despite the setting, the atmosphere feels lifeless and fails to evoke any real tension or excitement.”
  • story1 mentions

    The story highlights the challenges of using sleeper spies for intelligence gathering, emphasizing the unreliability of the information they provide and the limitations it imposes on executing significant missions, such as acquiring technology blueprints. This narrative element reflects the complexities and risks associated with espionage in a high-stakes environment.

    • “The story intricately weaves historical events with fictional elements, creating a captivating narrative that keeps players engaged.”
    • “The character development is exceptional, allowing players to form emotional connections with the protagonists and their struggles.”
    • “The plot twists are unexpected and well-executed, making each mission feel significant and impactful to the overall storyline.”
    • “The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent narrative, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “Character development is shallow, leaving players with little emotional investment in the outcomes.”
    • “The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises, making the overall experience feel stale.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

40hMedian play time
34hAverage play time
10-52hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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